hotchkis rear leafs + dr. diff relocation kits?

[dave73chally]

I read on here that the dr. diff spring relocation kit has issues when used with hotchkis springs. Is that still an issue? If so, is there a workaround posted? I have the hotchkis rear leafs and want to go with wider tires...

[Mpdlawdog]

...I have the same springs...and was looking at the kit today...it's out of stock..

[dave73chally]

Bump...any info?

[Mpdlawdog]

have you tried to call cass??  He might be the best to answer the question......

[HP2]

I can't see any reason why it wouldn't work. Hotchkis springs emulate the factory lengths and dimensions so they should bolt right in. The geometry correction built into the Hotchkis leafs do not alter how they mount. They only alter the leaf to eye relationship on the spring itself and overall ride height.

[dave73chally]

This is what I was referencing. Wondering if there were any changes over the past few years since

http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=84127.0

[HP2]

That sounds less like a Hotchkis problem and more like an offset shackle problem. Several who have moved their springs over with the offset shackle have put it in an interference path with a brace in the valance. I do not know if there are differences in construction of the valance area between the different years, but my '74 has no interference at all.  I'm running a zero arch spring (which actually looks like it bends backwards when installed) with 1" offset  kit and everything clears just fine.

[dave73chally]

That sounds less like a Hotchkis problem and more like an offset shackle problem. Several who have moved their springs over with the offset shackle have put it in an interference path with a brace in the valance. I do not know if there are differences in construction of the valance area between the different years, but my '74 has no interference at all.  I'm running a zero arch spring (which actually looks like it bends backwards when installed) with 1" offset  kit and everything clears just fine.

Gotcha. I'll order the offset shackles and see what I"m up against. Since it seems like it varies from car to car I guess that the only way to determine if there is an issue. Thanks 

[kielbasa]

Late to this thread - I was the guy originally who had an issue with this setup.....if I remember correctly, the hotchkis spring was either longer (or as posted below, same dimensions emulating the factory dimensions) UNTIL you set the weight  of the car down, now that the hotchkis spring is flat it's longer. And that was the problem I had with the shackles ramming into the framerail and valance. Not to mention the buttdragger look that I detest. I haven't touched my car in a year or so, so my memory is kinda fuzzy. Let me know if you need additional info - be glad to try to help!

[dave73chally]

Late to this thread - I was the guy originally who had an issue with this setup.....if I remember correctly, the hotchkis spring was either longer (or as posted below, same dimensions emulating the factory dimensions) UNTIL you set the weight  of the car down, now that the hotchkis spring is flat it's longer. And that was the problem I had with the shackles ramming into the framerail and valance. Not to mention the buttdragger look that I detest. I haven't touched my car in a year or so, so my memory is kinda fuzzy. Let me know if you need additional info - be glad to try to help!

Thanks for the info, do you have a cuda or challenger?

[HP2]

Again, the use of offset hangers put the springs into a different location than originally designed. The factory knew springs would lengthen when flattened out and built clearance into the valance to accommodate this. Move the spring, you open yourself up to interference.

If you flatten out the stock springs, you will find they gain length as they loose arch. Hotchkis springs simply start with less arch so they will appear to be longer when measured in an unloaded state. The Hotchkis spring also uses berlin eyes at the end of their springs as compared to a underslung round eye that is used on the stock spring. This further reduces ride and will put the spring closer to the frame and other components by half a bushing width. In some instances, the combination of these effects will lead to interference.

[kielbasa]

I have cuda - the challenger may be a little more forgiving when it comes the valance interference??
also, because the flatter spring sets the shackle back further (closer to the framerail), the offset shackle will interfere with framerail once you get somebody jumping in the back seat.....

[72bluNblu]

I have Dr. Diff's 1" offset kit with a B-body rear axle and mopar XHD springs that sit almost flat now that they've been on the car for awhile. I don't have any interference issues with my rear valance, which is just the plain, no exhaust cut out valance. My car sits pretty low, it's only 25" from the ground to the tops of the front and rear wheel openings. There isn't much for extra space back there, but nothing has ever rubbed. If I remember right though the 'Cuda's and some of the Challengers with exhaust cut out valances have a sheetmetal brace on the inside of the valance that gets in the way.

[roadman5312]

              We just trimmed the brackets inside the valance

 on the Challenger.  Were running the 1 1/2 inch offset kit. 

 

[brads70]

              We just trimmed the brackets inside the valance

 on the Challenger.  Were running the 1 1/2 inch offset kit. 

 

  I had to trim them too but on the 1" kit.