I would like your input on new standard ride hight MOPAR leaf springs @ 200 bucks a pop vs. JC Whitney's 2""to 4" increased ride hight six leaf springs @ 112 bucks a unit.

Will the cheapo JCW's sag in no time?

If I do go the increased ride hight route, how will this effect the front end alinement, help or exacerbate? I am also replacing the torsion bars, see previous topic "Torsion Bar Q's" containing present alinement specs. I will be having a new alignment performed.

JC Whithey:

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67' Dart GT Convertible; the old Chrysler Corp.
82' LeBaron Convertible; the new Chrysler Corp
07' 300 C AWD; Now by Fiat, the old new Chrysler LLC

Hey there-

Last year I put the JCW Hi-lift springs on my 68 Dart 270. I used these because I have purposed the car for pulling a rather heavy popup camper.

They have worked well for me, and have not sagged at all.
If I were to do this again I would definitely flip the front spring hangers to lower the back end a bit. But all in all it came out well, and has a bit of that "tough 1970's" looked, without being over-lifted.

I would buy them again in a heartbeat. Also was able to get them on a free shipping special, which saved loads of $$$.

-Mac

Personally, I don't like higher than stock rears. They wear out the front suspension components faster and can adversly affect handling (weight distribution...you don't want all the weight shifted forward). The factory springs where flat with some reverse arch in then for a reason. Those truly helped side to side sway to aid in handling and keep the rear where it should be....behind you! If you want a nice rake to your car, lower the front some with the adjusters on the torsion bars. A good alignment shop will be able to compensate (as long as you don't go overboard...ie riding on the bump stops).

Can you take 1 or 2 leaves out of the JC Whitney springs and get normal ride height and spring rate?

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Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

JC Witless get their springs and accessories from John R Spring Service on DeQuindre Rd. near Troy, MI. That's a very old, long-established spring shop, and there's nothing wrong with the product, but JC Witless are a bunch of yutzes. You'll have much better service and support from ESPO . They don't list springs on their site because they offer so many variants. Call up and talk to them.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

I used these for an A body and I'm happy. They have a little attitude in the back.

I looked at Mancini Racing's spring assortment. I don't think I want extra HD rear springs. I think a stiffer front suspension in relation to the rear is the current thinking for "A" bodies.

If were to go with the JCW 2" lift set of springs, and inverted the front spring mounts dropping the rear ride hight to ~1" over factory hight, would that not stress the front end excessively?

You all know what I'm driving at (a little car lingo here) Mr. Cheapo is looking to save 200 bucks by steering clear (oops! more car lingo) of the stock $200 MOPAR unit that everyone has for sale.

Dan, I'll call ESPO in the AM. I have been meaning to call them, but they haven't been open when I'm thinking springs. The internet has spoiled us in that most everyone is open on line 24/7, but not there to take a call but for a nine hour moving window by time zones five days a week...

Flash back sequence:
Sorry kids, an old fart moment. I remember chasing parts by phone, and snail mail before 800 numbers, and paying with postal money orders in the early seventies. Three week shipping was fast stuff in those days. I don't miss it...

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67' Dart GT Convertible; the old Chrysler Corp.
82' LeBaron Convertible; the new Chrysler Corp
07' 300 C AWD; Now by Fiat, the old new Chrysler LLC

I ordered stock ride hight, 6 leaf springs from ESPO for a nice price. I have a hard time with the engineer side vs. the skin flint yankee side at times. This time both got a win.

Thanks Dan

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67' Dart GT Convertible; the old Chrysler Corp.
82' LeBaron Convertible; the new Chrysler Corp
07' 300 C AWD; Now by Fiat, the old new Chrysler LLC

my dad used to have a 74 coronet that he just extended the shackles and added coilsprings around the shocks to jack the back end up a little, he said that after doing that, his car rode a lot better and handled better too, and now I am in the process of doing the same to my 78 volare, extending the shackles really isn't that hard and its alot cheaper (and less work) than getting all new leafsprings

Extended shackles are TERRIBLE for handling. AMHIK. You should wait until you can afford a proper pair of leaf springs and do the work once, not take the cheap, easy way out.

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vm

wjajr,

I was thinking of going with a set of 5 leafs, my dart has 4 leafs on it and they are a bit saggy. Why did you choose the 6 leafs over the 5?

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Grandpa's 1974 Dart Custom 4 door 225 auto, Aluminum Radiator, 1920 Holley.

just curious, vynn3 have you ever tried this yourself to know for sure?

Someday there may be a little more cast iron up front. Iron is one of the most plentiful elements on earth after all.

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67' Dart GT Convertible; the old Chrysler Corp.
82' LeBaron Convertible; the new Chrysler Corp
07' 300 C AWD; Now by Fiat, the old new Chrysler LLC

Understood.

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Grandpa's 1974 Dart Custom 4 door 225 auto, Aluminum Radiator, 1920 Holley.

AMHIK = Ask Me How I Know.

I installed pair on my Swinger when I was 17 and not very smart (or at least a lot dumber than I am now). I took one aggressive, high-speed sweeper and the rear end was all over the place. I almost rolled the car. It scared that young, fearless teenager so badly that I pulled them off as soon as I could. That was 24 years ago, and back then, I certainly wasn't the only person using them.

LOTS of people did LOTS of things "back in the day" that were just plain dangerous, myself and your Dad included. That doesn't mean you couldn't get hurt (or hurt someone else) doing the same thing today. I would HIGHLY recommend not using shackles to raise the rear of the car, especially when there are much safer (and more tasteful) ways now, as stated above. And if you can't afford new leafs or having your current leafs re-arched, live with the sagging rear until you can. Just my $.02.

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vm