Im replacing the original rear springs in my 1951 DeSoto with Late B lowering springs (2") Im hanging them with new fron hangers and sliders. The rear axle is a 2001 Explorer 8.8 narrowed a couple of inches. I used A body spring plates with built in shock mounts.

After measuring everything in every direction 50 times I let the axle and mounted springs hang by the stock shocks. Everything swung neatly into place. ....no pushing,clamping or fudging. Weld and go.


Why do I even measure?

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

It gives you something to do while the welder cools between duty cycles?

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Casually looking for a Clifford hyperpak intake for cheap.

It just makes you look busy so someone doesn't notice that everything just fits like it should and you didn't even break a sweat... then after all the gruelling measuring you can say "Whew, that was a tough one..." and get a beer...

Also if you made it look easy the neighbors might think you're a pro and bring all their projects over to you since it easy for you....

-D.Idiot

Nice work. We'll see how it tracks... What are the shock mounts on the car end?

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Probably a dam metrical rooler anyways.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

The stock shock mounts are on the chassis crossmember directly in front of the axle. They are the same as an A body except they are in front of the axle. I just turned my A body plates around .

I have the chassis on a trailer . It is blocked and clamped at unloaded ride height.

I had the axle on jack stands and the hangers and sliders clamped in position while I mounted the springs and shocks. I cycled everything using a floor jack . When I lowered the axle with no stands or clamps it just swung into position.

Next up I bolt everything together (just to hold things in place) before trailering to the machine shop for welding.

Then on to engine and trans mounts......

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

I will remember all of this when I get around to an IRS swap in the 64 Dart...

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

rear crossmember/trailer hitch fabbed and ready for welder

longer wheel studs added to 8.8 for wheel spacers and drag wheels

rear sway bar installed (77 Lincoln 3/4")

........and back to work.

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

Why do you even measure???
Cause ya know what happens when ya don't!
Even a blind pig finds an acorn once in a while.

BC

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'64 Dart GT convertible, 64 Dart 170 2-door post sedan in faded blue and rust (the Az Dart) & a sixty THREE Dart 170 2-door post sedan in faded blue and rust. (future project)
Early Dart Disorder (EDD) is real, and I've got it!