Well my thread on digital tachs was a lead balloon, but today I finally got my steel wheels back with epoxy primer on them and bought some tires at a GREAT Sale on at Sears (B. F. Goodrich Revelation whitewalls, 185/70/14 front and 235/75/15 rear). The rears may be a bit too tall and the fronts a little low but I got them now and since they are 60,000 mile touring tires I may never buy another set for the roadster! The problem is that I thought I was being conservative with a 4" dropped Magnum axle since in the past I have read about 5" and even 6" dropped axles and I have wanted a dropped axle since I was a teenager over 50 years ago. However, I am alarmed that the clearance under the middle of my axle to a flat garage floor is only 4 7/8" and worse there is only about 4" clearance under each shock mount. It's too late now to reconsider axle and tires so what I am asking is some discussion of how to avoid sparks during normal driving. Are our roads in the U.S. smooth enough to permit only 4" clearance? How do those of you with dropped axles drive over speed bumps and general road hazards (carefully)? Is this height considered normal for a street rod? My main problem will be how to get out of my 400 foot country lane driveway which certainly has ruts deeper than 4", I guess it is time for some grading! Certainly the local squirrel population can no longer expect to just duck between the wheels any more. Is this "normal"? Comments?

Don Shillady
Retired Scientist/teen rodder