New Leaf Springs Tooooo Low!

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    Author Topic: New Leaf Springs Tooooo Low!  (Read 8011 times)

    Offline challengermaniac

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    New Leaf Springs Tooooo Low!
    « on: October 03, 2009 - 08:55:15 PM »
    Guys,

    I wanted to raise the rear ride heigth on my 1970 Challenger 340, auto by an inch, so I bought new leaf springs from Summit Racing.  Problem is, with the new springs installed, the car now sits one inch lower than what I started! 

    Options I'm thinking about:

    a. When installing the springs, we didn't tighten the bolts until we put all of the weight of the car on them.  To get the ride heigth I am after, I'm thinking I should loosen the bolts, then take the weight off of the springs and then tighten down the bolts before lowering the car?

    b. The rear shakles are 5 1/2" long and I can maybe swap them out for 6" shackles?

    c. Toss the Summit Springs and have the originals re-arched?

    d. Another idea?

    Thanks, Charlie 
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    Charlie
    70 Challenger 340/4 Purple
    70 Challenger T/A Red
    Edmonds, WA


    Offline brads70

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    Re: New Leaf Springs Tooooo Low!
    « Reply #1 on: October 03, 2009 - 08:58:18 PM »
    I got mine here . They are great ! I asked for 1 1/2 higher than stock and that's how they came! :2thumbs:
    http://www.springsnthings.com/
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    Brad
    1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
    Barrie,Ontario,Canada
    Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

    My restoration thread 
    http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
     My handling upgrade post
    http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

    Offline MEK-Dangerfield

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    Re: New Leaf Springs Tooooo Low!
    « Reply #2 on: October 04, 2009 - 04:13:23 AM »
    I bought higher than stock springs from Springs N Things too.

    Putting on longer shackles won't have much affect. Getting your originals re-arched is probably your best bet.

    I also found this thread about adding leafs to your springs that might help...

    http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=44537.0
    « Last Edit: October 04, 2009 - 06:54:20 AM by MEK-Dangerfield »
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    Mike

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

    Offline vinb

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    Re: New Leaf Springs Tooooo Low!
    « Reply #3 on: October 04, 2009 - 09:29:27 AM »
    C: Get rid of the summit springs,

    Put the old springs back in with the STOCK shackles and measure your height where you want it with all the weight in the trunk , spare tire/jack/a least a half a tank of fuel.

    Measure it out and bring the springs over to a spring shop and have them re-arced and add a leaf.

    If you have air shocks in the back get them out also and throw them away. Get a good pair of gas shocks and you should be good to go......



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    Offline JayBee

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    Re: New Leaf Springs Tooooo Low!
    « Reply #4 on: October 04, 2009 - 09:54:03 AM »
    Quote from: vinb on October 04, 2009 - 09:29:27 AM
    Measure it out and bring the springs over to a spring shop and have them re-arced and add a leaf.
    That's exactly what I did and was very satisfied with the results.
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    John

    1970 Barracuda convertible
    2014 Toyota Avalon

    Offline quapman

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    Re: New Leaf Springs Tooooo Low!
    « Reply #5 on: October 04, 2009 - 10:05:58 AM »
    I did the stock Mopar XHD spring R&R a few years back and was VERY disappointed. I hear good things about Springs & Things.
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    My name is Steve and I'm addicted to Challengers...

    Offline thedodgeboys

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    Re: New Leaf Springs Tooooo Low!
    « Reply #6 on: October 04, 2009 - 10:55:37 AM »
    Also remember they will settle a little so please take that into account and ask if reaching how much to add. Its amazing how much a ½ inch will change the look.  :rofl:      :2cents:
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    Go Fast & Have Fun...
    70 6.1 HEMI 6-speed Drop Top...

    Offline Chryco Psycho

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    • 70 Challenger R/T SE 70 tube Chassis Cuda now sold
    Re: New Leaf Springs Tooooo Low!
    « Reply #7 on: October 05, 2009 - 01:13:07 AM »
    we did the rear springs on 1Badfish Chall this summer & just added 1 full lenght leaf under the main leaf & it raised the rear just over 1 inch , it is an easy fix without replacing the whole spring pack
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    Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

    Offline ericindc

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    Re: New Leaf Springs Tooooo Low!
    « Reply #8 on: October 06, 2009 - 11:26:58 AM »

    Someone mentioned springs and things. I dont see that they have challenger leaf springs. Are these a special order or something?

    Thanks.
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    1974 Challenger, 440, auto, 17s
    1983 Jeep CJ7, Chevy 350, auto, 32" tires, 2.5" lift

    Offline brads70

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    Re: New Leaf Springs Tooooo Low!
    « Reply #9 on: October 06, 2009 - 04:11:29 PM »
    Quote from: ericindc on October 06, 2009 - 11:26:58 AM
    Someone mentioned springs and things. I dont see that they have challenger leaf springs. Are these a special order or something?

    Thanks.

    Call their 1-800 # too many variables to list everything! Eg. Engine size,stock ride height or more? Soft ride or performance, drag or street. Etc...
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    Brad
    1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
    Barrie,Ontario,Canada
    Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

    My restoration thread 
    http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
     My handling upgrade post
    http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

    Offline MEK-Dangerfield

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    Re: New Leaf Springs Tooooo Low!
    « Reply #10 on: October 06, 2009 - 06:23:56 PM »
    Springs 'N Things definitely has Challenger springs. I noticed their website has been changed since I've been there last, so maybe they don't have everything listed yet. They did well for me...They had the rear shackles and the big bolt for the front of the spring too.
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    Mike

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

    Offline brads70

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    Re: New Leaf Springs Tooooo Low!
    « Reply #11 on: October 06, 2009 - 07:16:24 PM »
     :iagree:
    One stop shopping for me!  I bought everything there. Springs,shackels,bushings bolts hardware. I was a happy customer!
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    Brad
    1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
    Barrie,Ontario,Canada
    Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

    My restoration thread 
    http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
     My handling upgrade post
    http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

    Offline shadango

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    Re: New Leaf Springs Tooooo Low!
    « Reply #12 on: October 07, 2009 - 08:24:21 AM »
    I went to their site and didnt see springs listed anywhere as far as prices, etc.....

    Did I miss something or do you have to call for everything?
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    Offline challengermaniac

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    Re: New Leaf Springs Tooooo Low!
    « Reply #13 on: October 10, 2009 - 12:06:57 AM »
    Okay, I got Summit Racing to agree to take back those "Mopar" springs that were suppose to raise the rear by 1" when in fact they were actually made in China and resulted in lowering the rear by 1"!  At this point, I'm going with Chryco's suggestion to add a full length leaf to my original springs and see where that puts me.

    Thanks (again) everyone.  I'll post an update once I have it done.

    Charlie
    70 Challenger
    « Last Edit: October 10, 2009 - 01:05:10 AM by challengermaniac »
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    Charlie
    70 Challenger 340/4 Purple
    70 Challenger T/A Red
    Edmonds, WA

    Offline shadango

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    Re: New Leaf Springs Tooooo Low!
    « Reply #14 on: October 10, 2009 - 12:15:38 AM »
    Where do you plan on getting the extra leafs?

    I am in the same boat and need to address the issue as soon as I get my tranny issues straightened out.....

    Please keep us up to date as far as how you make out....

    Good luck!
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