Author Topic: Looking for easy way to raise rear end  (Read 877 times)

Offline Glennster

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Looking for easy way to raise rear end
« on: October 13, 2008 - 11:00:42 PM »
I've got a totally stock survivor 70 Challenger ( 318 motor, 904 tranny, 8 1/4 rear end). I'd like to stay with the 14'' tires, but I'd like the rear to sit an inch or two higher.
Are air shocks the cheapest easiest way to get there?
Who / What are the best shocks to go with?
THANKS for any help!




Offline duodec

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Re: Looking for easy way to raise rear end
« Reply #1 on: October 14, 2008 - 12:43:41 AM »
Air shocks are likely to give you a rather unpleasant ride.  They also _can_ exert excessive load on the crossmember the tops bolt on to; it was not designed to handle those stresses.  I've seen them rip out (on my car, which had nasty hard shocks on it when I bought it; damage already done when I put normal hydraulics in their place).

Past threads on this have tended to recommend going with replacement springs (ESPO?), perhaps ordered with a higher arch, or getting your springs re-arched.  Longer shackles seem to be considered bad, and can cause damage to your rear valance in some cases.

Offline Aussie Challenger

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Re: Looking for easy way to raise rear end
« Reply #2 on: October 14, 2008 - 02:07:26 AM »
   :iagree:  Defineitly don't use air shockers   :grinno:  , get your springs re arched and have an extra leaf put in or go with new springs, in the long run it is cheaper.   :2thumbs:
Dave

Offline MEK-Dangerfield

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Re: Looking for easy way to raise rear end
« Reply #3 on: October 14, 2008 - 05:05:10 AM »
A few of us here have bought from Espo.  http://www.espo.com/

You can get new springs with a 1", or 2" over stock height lift. If you go this way, you will also need new U-bolts, and possibly rear shackles, as they are a real pain to get apart. They come with rubber bushings.


  Mike

Mike

1970 Challenger - SOLD
2016 SXT+.  1 of 524 SXT+'s in Plumb-crazy for 2016.

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Looking for easy way to raise rear end
« Reply #4 on: October 14, 2008 - 09:42:57 AM »
I just add a second main leaf under the original , this seems to be the cheapest & best way to raise the rear

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline 72bluNblu

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Re: Looking for easy way to raise rear end
« Reply #5 on: October 14, 2008 - 02:06:14 PM »
Add-a-leaf kits are pretty popular for trucks, but if you find one the right size its pretty easy to install. You'll need new u bolts, but the rest should be fine. Pretty cheap, most are in the 50-60 dollar range. I think I just read about someone doing this on here not too long ago, you might search because I think he listed a part number for the kit. The car will definitely ride stiffer in the back though.

Offline MEK-Dangerfield

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Re: Looking for easy way to raise rear end
« Reply #6 on: October 14, 2008 - 06:31:06 PM »
Add-a-leaf kits are pretty popular for trucks, but if you find one the right size its pretty easy to install. You'll need new u bolts, but the rest should be fine. Pretty cheap, most are in the 50-60 dollar range. I think I just read about someone doing this on here not too long ago, you might search because I think he listed a part number for the kit. The car will definitely ride stiffer in the back though.


Good memory.   :thumbsup:


http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=44537.0

Mike

1970 Challenger - SOLD
2016 SXT+.  1 of 524 SXT+'s in Plumb-crazy for 2016.

Offline 72bluNblu

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Re: Looking for easy way to raise rear end
« Reply #7 on: October 14, 2008 - 07:27:58 PM »
Thanks! Yeah, I thought I saw it on here somewhere...