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Rear Leaf springs from JCWhitney?
https://slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=13100		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  NewLancerMan [ Mon May 23, 2005 9:37 am ]
Post subject:  Rear Leaf springs from JCWhitney?
Hi all,

My rear springs are flat on my 62 Lancer, and I just replaced the shocks. My rear shocks were completely spent, which indicated to me that the springs also were likely gone which is what would have overloaded the shocks in the first place. The car has been sitting for over 20 years with little use, and the trunk was used as storage (but nothing heavy AFAIK).

I saw that JC Whitney has some leaf springs, and wanted some opinions on them. I'm leary of ordering from them for fitment and quality issues, and so I'd really like to hear some opinions. They have free shipping for the next two days, so its rather time sensitive. Here are the assortment of springs their catalog sells that will supposedly fit my car: Leaf Spring choices

I currently have a 3 leaf spring setup, and don't want to raise the end of the car up. I have plans to eventually make the car handle quite well, so I want to keep the rear end low (I can lower it with short blocks if I have to).

The price is under $100 for both sides, if they fit and are worth getting.

Advice and opinions please! I 've ordered from JCW before and found it to be a crapshoot--sometimes its good quality, sometimes its not.

Alternatively, where would I pick up a well-priced quality set of springs?

Thanks!

MJ
Author:  Pierre [ Mon May 23, 2005 9:55 am ]
Post subject: 
I believe Lou (Dart270) has the JC Whitney springs, you can do a search for his username and the word leaf , I'm sure you'll find one of his posts saying he did like them.

If you are still iffy on jc whitney quality, check out www.espo.com I paid I believe ~$120 for my set from them, and they have a tremendous following and quality standing on www.moparts.com and this board as well.
Author:  Dart270 [ Mon May 23, 2005 10:12 am ]
Post subject: 
I have JCW 5-leafs on both my Darts. You would want the 4-leafs, I assume. They are quite good quality, but I bought my last set about 11 years ago, so can't comment on present day. Still workin' great. Dennis (slantzilla) also has had good luck with JCW springs.

Lou
Author:  SlantSixDan [ Mon May 23, 2005 10:24 am ]
Post subject: 
I have a hard time trusting JC Witless for a couple reasons:

1) I've been their customer sporadically for a couple decades

2) I've worked for one of their suppliers

They've gotten better over the years in terms of being willing to tell you brands and sources for specific parts if you call and ask—time was, they would simply refuse to answer such questions, and if you didn't like what you got, your only recourse was to ship it back.

They are kind of like Wal-Mart in that they tend to try to find the absolute cheapest source for any given part. There are many instances of their selling one specific brand (a decent one, often) for years, then suddenly jumping ship and supplying something markedly inferior 'cause they were able to get a lower price from some other company.

Also, their "E-Z Rate" shipping usually winds up being 2 to 5 times the actual shipping cost. I don't like profiteering of that sort.

But if you're very careful and are sure you wouldn't rather buy from a company where you can actually ask questions (and get valid answers) about springs, suspension, etc., then springs might be some of the less hazardous items to buy from JCW.

You might want to spend some time in your local yellow pages.
Author:  NewLancerMan [ Mon May 23, 2005 12:19 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
I have JCW 5-leafs on both my Darts. You would want the 4-leafs, I assume. They are quite good quality, but I bought my last set about 11 years ago, so can't comment on present day. Still workin' great. Dennis (slantzilla) also has had good luck with JCW springs.

Lou
I was debating between 4 and 5 leaf springs. The ones I have are so flat and spongy I have really no idea how stiff a 5 leaf vs. a 4 leaf spring would be. My intention for the car is to make it handle pretty well, but I dont want something that will ride really harsh in the rear. What would you recommend based on what you've tried?

MJ
Author:  sandy in BC [ Mon May 23, 2005 1:27 pm ]
Post subject: 
I purchased JCW 5 leaf springs last year. The price , shippping, fitment and quality were all fine. Highly recommended for value.
Author:  Guest [ Mon May 23, 2005 1:56 pm ]
Post subject: 
I purchased standard replacement 4 leaf springs 3 yrs ago from jcw for the dart and am very happy with them.If you want to keep the stock ride height go with the 4 leaf.

Lancer if I remember right you installed some KYB's,with these leafes you will be very happy.That is the exact set-up I have on my car.

If I remember right the front spring bolt hole is bigger so you will have to get two bigger bolts and re-drill the front perch,no biggie.

$100.00 free shipping,GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!No brainer.

ps:From what I have heard 8 out 10 of the springs out there are from the same manufacturer anyways. :?

JZ
Author:  sixty4dartgt [ Mon May 23, 2005 10:49 pm ]
Post subject: 
I bought 5 leaf in Oct.
I had no problem except for the new bolt/drill hole that was mentioned.
My car raised up 1 1/2 ".
Author:  NewLancerMan [ Tue May 24, 2005 6:43 am ]
Post subject: 
Have any of you tried to make new front perches that relocate the pivot up to bring the ride height back down? I realize that most of you WANT the rear end to be higher for clearance on larger tires, but my goal is to create a nice handling car so I want to keep the rear end as low as possible. I definitely don't want to raise it 1.5" inches BUT would like the stiffer springs. I don't think it would be that hard to make new hangars since they appear to just bolt in. I thought if I could find some 3-sided stock of the right width and thickness, I could redrill to raise the bolt up slightly (would have to do some calculating so I don't mess up the arch).

am I insane? (answer this only in relation to above plan--all other evidence is not applicable!) :lol: :twisted:
Author:  Dart270 [ Tue May 24, 2005 7:25 am ]
Post subject: 
Get the 4 leafs. I still have mine on my V100 racecar!!

www.magnumhp.com has front spring perches to raise your front eye and lower the car.

Lou
Author:  NewLancerMan [ Tue May 24, 2005 8:24 am ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
Get the 4 leafs. I still have mine on my V100 racecar!!
Lou is that your autocrosser? I was leaning towards 5 leafs (leafs for springs, leaves fall in spring? DS to the rescue) for some extra lateral stiffness. I eventually plan on a rear swaybar...but see my next post.

MJ
Author:  Johnny Z [ Tue May 24, 2005 9:01 am ]
Post subject: 
Unless you are carrying sand bags in your trunk or plan on carrying heavy objects,you will be very happy with 4 leafs.Your old leafs will let the car sag, the new 4 leaf springs will bring it back to the stock height.Yes you can 180 your perch if you want it lowered(never have tried it).With the new springs you will be able to see the difference in handling right off the bat,with a nice firm feel,there will be no bouncy bounce feel.Gotta trust us on this one.

5 leaves overkill.
4 leaves just right.

JZ
Author:  Dart270 [ Tue May 24, 2005 10:10 pm ]
Post subject: 
Project V is really a road racer, but I may autoX it someday...

Your Lancer will be lighter than a later Dart/Val so the 5s might be too stiff for a driver. If you do get them, you should get them dearched. In that case, it would probably be better to get a set custom made by Espo or a local shop.

Lou
Author:  killin5 [ Wed May 25, 2005 11:44 am ]
Post subject: 
MJ,

I had never found a link to that page on the JC Whitney web site. I had always looked at the one with the $59 springs.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Prod ... 67/c-10101

Any idea what the difference might be?

Also, they have free shipping today if your order is over $125.

John
Author:  Craig [ Wed May 25, 2005 10:22 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
I purchased JCW 5 leaf springs last year. The price , shippping, fitment and quality were all fine. Highly recommended for value.
Yeah, thanks for the comment. I just ordered a set of 5 leafs from JCW for my 1976 Valiant after reading about the free shiping in the post above.
The original 4 leafers were OK as long as I didn't put anything in the trunk.
I tried rearching the old springs... it raised the car up but does not change the spring rate. The last set I rearched I had some inexperienced help and slightly over did it. This put the back end a bit too high and hard braking caused the rear wheels to lock up and spin me around in the middle of the road. Dangerous at best. I hope the 5 leafers serve me better.
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