Author Topic: Extra leaf spring  (Read 1103 times)

Offline Ornamental

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 918
  • Oslo, Norway
Extra leaf spring
« on: October 07, 2007 - 11:37:14 AM »
I have one extra leaf spring on each side, and i have'nt seen it any other muscle car.
I've done some googling, and found out that it could be a heavy duty leaf.
So i believe it's some custom mod an earlier owner has done.
Just wonder if any of you people have seen something like this on a muscle car before, and whether it's any use or just unnecessary dead weight?  :dunno:

It looks like this:

Panther Pink '72 Challenger Rallye.
Grey '70 Challenger R/T

-There are two kinds of pedestrians: The quick and the dead.

***Per Arne***




Offline GoodysGotaCuda

  • Sr. Resident
  • ******
  • Posts: 5392
Re: Extra leaf spring
« Reply #1 on: October 07, 2007 - 11:38:13 AM »
'helper springs' or 'add a leafs'  - usually help out tired sagging springs in our cars. In trucks they add payload and some height.
Build Page: Goody's 'Cuda Build Page
1976 Dodge Warlock
1972 Barracuda - 5.7 Hemi + T56 Magnum

Wheel & Tire Specs:Link

Offline Ornamental

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 918
  • Oslo, Norway
Re: Extra leaf spring
« Reply #2 on: October 07, 2007 - 11:55:59 AM »
Thanks Goody!

Yeah, i can imagine that the springs would be sagging after 30+ years.
Panther Pink '72 Challenger Rallye.
Grey '70 Challenger R/T

-There are two kinds of pedestrians: The quick and the dead.

***Per Arne***

Offline HP2

  • Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 4478
Re: Extra leaf spring
« Reply #3 on: October 07, 2007 - 07:55:54 PM »
Added by a previous owner some time in the past. You might want to consider getting replacement leafs and be rid of it.

Offline Ornamental

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 918
  • Oslo, Norway
Re: Extra leaf spring
« Reply #4 on: October 09, 2007 - 01:36:08 PM »
Added by a previous owner some time in the past. You might want to consider getting replacement leafs and be rid of it.
I had a sneaking suspicion about that...

I would like to treat corners with the same disdain i usually reserve for vegans and unshaved feminists.
Now, i know that there are several hi-tech rear suspensions out there that will do the job, but they usually come with hi-pricetags attached.
So i'm considering a more budget-minded appoach.

I would like to lower it a little.
For the front suspension, i have a Alterktion kit that's going to be installed next year.
Are there some leaf spring manufacturers that's particularily recommended, or will good old Mopar Performance do the trick?


This is how it sits today:





Panther Pink '72 Challenger Rallye.
Grey '70 Challenger R/T

-There are two kinds of pedestrians: The quick and the dead.

***Per Arne***

Offline HP2

  • Resident
  • *****
  • Posts: 4478
Re: Extra leaf spring
« Reply #5 on: October 09, 2007 - 03:45:37 PM »

I personally have never had any problems with Mopar springs, but some have. Stock XHD springs tend to be around 140-150# rate. The oval track springs are 120#. Super Stock springs  range from 160-170#. A lot of people here recommend Espo, but they will not know what rate of spring they are building you, they just go by stock arch +/-1 or +/-2.

Since you are looking at Alterkation for the front, speak with Bill about what spring rate he suggests for the rear. Since you're paying some decent cash for the coil over set up, it would be best to get leaf springs that will compliment that set up. Once you get that nailed down and know what rate of leaf spring you want, you will probably have to buy them from Landrum or Afco. There are also fiberglass springs out there as well and a variety of vendors who sell them.

Offline GoodysGotaCuda

  • Sr. Resident
  • ******
  • Posts: 5392
Re: Extra leaf spring
« Reply #6 on: October 09, 2007 - 06:39:37 PM »
I agree with HP2, and as that thing sits..it still looks like its sagging with those helpers. I'm running super stock springs on my car, no compliants other than somehow i broke the center bolt in the drivers leaf in three pieces! $1.70 to fix :D
Build Page: Goody's 'Cuda Build Page
1976 Dodge Warlock
1972 Barracuda - 5.7 Hemi + T56 Magnum

Wheel & Tire Specs:Link

Offline Ornamental

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 918
  • Oslo, Norway
Re: Extra leaf spring
« Reply #7 on: October 10, 2007 - 09:10:10 AM »
Since you are looking at Alterkation for the front, speak with Bill...

Of course!

Thank you, HP!
Panther Pink '72 Challenger Rallye.
Grey '70 Challenger R/T

-There are two kinds of pedestrians: The quick and the dead.

***Per Arne***

Offline Cuda 360

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 27
  • 1973 Cuda 360
Re: Extra leaf spring
« Reply #8 on: October 19, 2007 - 12:11:26 PM »
I would stay far away from the XHD mopar springs I have them on my Cuda and it sits lower than it did with the old stock springs. it looked exactly like your challenger with the new springs. They were a waste of time + money!