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4 leaf vs/ 5 leaf revisited... https://slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=17422 |
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Author: | Frank McMullen [ Fri May 05, 2006 2:58 pm ] |
Post subject: | 4 leaf vs/ 5 leaf revisited... |
I have a '64 Valiant convertible, plain-jane six, no plans for hi-po. The OEM rear leafs are flattened-out; if I put two people in the back seat, the rear springs are bottomed-out, and we scrape bottom a lot... Am looking at ESPO springs&things, and they offer "four-leaf" and "five-leaf".... Are four-leaf springs just going to flatten-out again, and if so, how quickly... If I go five-leaves, how will that impact the ride quality of the car ? Not looking to go crazy with suspension upgrades, but want to make a wise choice for the "long haul"... Thanks for your suggestions... Frank McMullen |
Author: | RossKinder [ Fri May 05, 2006 7:03 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: 4 leaf vs/ 5 leaf revisited... |
Quote: The OEM rear leafs are flattened-out; if I put two people in the back seat, the rear springs are bottomed-out, and we scrape bottom a lot...
I had a situation exactly like that only different I've been pleased with the air adjustable shocks I got from, as I recall, Pep Boys. When I know the load will go up I push the air pressure up.
Not looking to go crazy with suspension upgrades, but want to make a wise choice for the "long haul"... Frank McMullen |
Author: | dakight [ Fri May 05, 2006 7:54 pm ] |
Post subject: | |
Air shocks are a bad idea on a Mopar A-body. The upper shock mounts are not designed or built to handle the stresses and will tear out of the floor pan. Same deal with coil-overs. |
Author: | zedpapa [ Sat May 06, 2006 1:14 pm ] |
Post subject: | |
i swapped in a leave from a 91 toyota pickup in to my leaf pack and picked up the rear end 1" to 1 1/2" and firmed up the ride some but not too much. load capacity went up but not much. i think i still need to get new springs. zedpapa |
Author: | Frank McMullen [ Mon May 08, 2006 8:24 am ] |
Post subject: | |
Just did the air-shock thing on my '60 Windsor.... I 'm thinking that I'll go for the five leaves in the Valiant, and throw some sand-bags in the trunk if it sits too high... My fear with the four-leaf pack is that they'll sag right out, just like the originals... Any of you life-long A-body folks remember how long it took these cars to sag back in the day ? Thanks, Frank McMullen |
Author: | sixsignet [ Tue May 09, 2006 10:00 am ] |
Post subject: | Get the 4-leaf springs |
I'm going to be a maverick and post something that has something to do with "4 leaf vs. 5 leaf". I have a 63 Valiant and I just installed 5-leaf JC Whitney springs a few weeks ago. Pretty plain car - no racing ambitions. I adjusted the torsion bars 1/8" higher than service manual recommends and the rear was still jacked-up . Now I'm making new front brackets to raise the front eye so that the rear sits lower (to compensate for the springs). I wish I had gotten the 4-leaf springs. They will make your car sit right - but will they sag soon? You can take apart the old springs and keep the top leaf as insurance. If the new springs sag a year or two from now, you can cut the extra leaf to be between the 3rd and 4th leaves in length and make your own 5-leaf. |
Author: | Patrick Devlin [ Tue May 09, 2006 4:01 pm ] |
Post subject: | |
I have six-leaf springs on my '68 Dart, and I think it sits very close to what I would *imagine* the stock ride height would be. I think it is not always the number of leaves, but rather the arch of the springs. Also, I do think leaf springs settle a little, I wouldn't say sag, but I think the suspension will settle a little once it is driven. I have the front ride height set how the factory service manual says, and with the leaf springs I have, the bottom of the rocker panel is dead level. |
Author: | sixsignet [ Tue May 09, 2006 5:49 pm ] |
Post subject: | |
I dunno why those work for you. Are yours ESPO? The 68 Dart is not much heavier than a 64 conv Valiant. I was asking this forum a similar question a month ago and no one made a strong case for the 4-leaf springs. I bought the 5-leaf ones. As I understand it, the question is "should I put standard springs or heavy-duty springs on a (63 or) 64 Valiant?" In my (recent) experience, the HD springs are too heavy-duty for a 63 hardtop Valiant. Here are some others' thoughts: [Note: this was advice to someone with a 65 Valiant V-200] Quote: Mike,
I have the JCWhitney 5 leaf HD springs in both my cars (both sets about 10 years old and still fine). They are perfect for my heavier '68, but a bit stiff for the '64. Even with no rear SwBar, the '64 oversteers just a touch, but is neutral with a passenger in the rear seat. You might just get the JCW 4-leaf standard replacements. Good quality springs, and hard to beat the price. Course, the 5-leafs are just a bit more and you can always remove a leaf. You might also check out the adjustable front perches from www.arengineering.com. You will need to drill the holes on your stock perches to 5/8" if you use those - no biggie. I also recommend polyU bushings (Energy Susp or PST brand so they don't squeak as much, although still a little), if you want least flex and best handling. Ride is slightly harsher, but not a big deal. I plan on trying my current 5 leafs with the lowest leaf removed to see how that goes. Eventually, I will buy some fiberglass leafs from http://www.flex-a-form.com/ to shave about 35-45 lbs off - mostly unsprung weight too! Cheers, Lou Quote: 4-leaf: Standard
5-leaf: HD and wagon 6-leaf: XHD (HD Wagon) All varieties are readily available new, e.g. from Espo. |
Author: | Patrick Devlin [ Tue May 09, 2006 6:34 pm ] |
Post subject: | |
Yep. I got them a few years ago (actually, 2001, I think) from ESPO at the Chrysler show at Carlisle. I remember they asked me if I wanted "1 inch higher or stock ride height?" I went with stock ride height. |
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