Author Topic: hotchkis spring with offset hangers (Read 8670 times)

Jamie · « **on:** October 18, 2011 - 10:03:40 PM »

Can I use the hotchkis springs while retaining the b-body rear set-up in an e-body without any problems.?

Strawdawg · « **Reply #1 on:** October 18, 2011 - 10:13:36 PM »

I thought I had seen this addressed somewhere on the Hotchkis site, but, I don't see it in the instructions...I would call them up and see what they say. They have been very good about answering my questions along the way

kielbasa · « **Reply #2 on:** October 19, 2011 - 12:22:31 AM »

I have 65~67 b-body rear with dr diff offset hangers in my AAR.....
I just went thru this exercise this past weekend with the Hotchkis springs.
the springs are close to flat (which is ideal for handling), making the bottom end of the shackles already pointing rearward and interfere with the valance panel. The valance has that clearance (just below the bumperettes), but only if the shackles aren't offset. Now that the shackle bottoms aren't centered any more in the clearance bump of the valance panel, you can't even install the valance. Also, if you bounce the rear bumper (i didn't have the shocks installed), the offset shackles bottomed and gouged right into the frame rail.
It also doesn't help the situation that the Hotchkis springs have a longer distance between the eyelets (by 1.5", unloaded, not installed). I should have taken pictures, but I was rushed to get my car off the hoist and i was mad. The springs seem way softer than stock.

HP2 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 19, 2011 - 09:23:18 AM »

Interesting discovery. Bummer to say the least.

I've taken a slightly different approach with mine. I'm using mopar's zero arch oval track springs with the offset SS front hanger and offset rear shackles. That drastically lowered the rear height, allowed the spring to pull in enough for my '67 rear housing to line up, and allow a full range of motion without hitting the rear valance. Now, I have not watched the spring travel to the valance in this scenario and my cars panels are far from factory perfect, so I guess they could make contact, but on my car they haven't touched.

A slight variation to this formula could be the +1 oval track spring, or possibly the stock XHD springs with Dr Diff offset, stock length hangers and shackles.

kielbasa · « **Reply #4 on:** October 19, 2011 - 10:43:11 AM »

I believe Challengers may have more room behind the shackles to valance?? Not positive on that, but i thought I read/heard that somewhere.

72bluNblu · « **Reply #5 on:** October 19, 2011 - 02:42:51 PM »

Quote from: HP2 on October 19, 2011 - 09:23:18 AM

or possibly the stock XHD springs with Dr Diff offset, stock length hangers and shackles.

This is what I have in my car now. '68-70 B body rear, Dr diff stock length offset hangers and shackles, and XHD springs. I'm using the stock ride height spring location, so you could actually lower the car another 1" from what I've got now, although, it already sits fairly low. The tires in this picture are 275/40/17's, so right at about 26" tall, and the wheel arch still sits below the top of the tire.

I had considered going to the Hotchkis springs, but I'd held up because I didn't want the car to sit too low in the back. Guess its a good thing I did! While I'm trying to set my car up to handle well, I also think that the Challengers look best if there's a little bit of rake to them (so the rear body line sits about parallel to the ground).

Jamie · « **Reply #6 on:** October 19, 2011 - 07:47:47 PM »

Glad I asked.I noticed the rear shackle clearance the other night on my factory springs and moving the shackles over .8 inch would seem like a tight spot with the valance! I am looking for a little lower and a nice spring,But would a 1" or 2" spacer on a factory type spring be ok?
I am still determined to use the b-body rear( hacent even bought one yet) I love a wheel that sits in deeper.

Katfish · « **Reply #7 on:** October 19, 2011 - 08:10:09 PM »

I also found out after the fact, you need to cut the braces on the Challenger valance, when using the Dr Diff offset hangers with dual exhaust.
When I asked him, he said "Oh yeah, but you don't have to if the valance doesn't have cut-outs".

No biggie, but would have been nice to know before hand.

72bluNblu · « **Reply #8 on:** October 19, 2011 - 08:31:27 PM »

Quote from: Jamie on October 19, 2011 - 07:47:47 PM

Glad I asked.I noticed the rear shackle clearance the other night on my factory springs and moving the shackles over .8 inch would seem like a tight spot with the valance! I am looking for a little lower and a nice spring,But would a 1" or 2" spacer on a factory type spring be ok?
I am still determined to use the b-body rear( hacent even bought one yet) I love a wheel that sits in deeper.

By a "1 or 2" spacer " do you mean a lowering block? Either should actually be ok, truck guys routinely use large blocks for lift kits (4"+) for axle-under-spring applications.

But you can get hangers with a second hole drilled for lowering about 1", Mancini sells them.

http://chucker54.stores.yahoo.net/manciniracing20.html

Quote from: Katfish on October 19, 2011 - 08:10:09 PM

I also found out after the fact, you need to cut the braces on the Challenger valance, when using the Dr Diff offset hangers with dual exhaust.

Wow! Didn't know that. Guess its a good thing I don't have a valance with cut outs. Although, since I now have a dual exhaust I was eventually going to do something about that. Good to know.

Katfish · « **Reply #9 on:** October 19, 2011 - 08:56:37 PM »

I agree with the stance, just a little rake, don't want to see any "air" between the tire and fender.
Your car looks great.

GranCuda1970 · « **Reply #10 on:** October 19, 2011 - 10:26:00 PM »

Snice profile shot!!! The wheels look good also, almost like 1971cudajoes car that was on Barrett Jackson!

Road_Runner · « **Reply #11 on:** October 19, 2011 - 11:08:21 PM »

Wow, this thread was a $$ & PITA saver for me as I was going to be doing the whole B Body rear conversion and am also considering the Hotchkis springs vs. the xhd Mopars. Looks like its either the springs or the 1" offsets but not both. Haven't spent anything on this yet but thanks to everyone who shared the info here.

Later, Jim

Strawdawg · « **Reply #12 on:** October 19, 2011 - 11:23:59 PM »

Quote from: 72bluNblu on October 19, 2011 - 02:42:51 PM

This is what I have in my car now. '68-70 B body rear, Dr diff stock length offset hangers and shackles, and XHD springs. I'm using the stock ride height spring location, so you could actually lower the car another 1" from what I've got now, although, it already sits fairly low. The tires in this picture are 275/40/17's, so right at about 26" tall, and the wheel arch still sits below the top of the tire.

I had considered going to the Hotchkis springs, but I'd held up because I didn't want the car to sit too low in the back. Guess its a good thing I did! While I'm trying to set my car up to handle well, I also think that the Challengers look best if there's a little bit of rake to them (so the rear body line sits about parallel to the ground).

The rear of mine with the Hotchkis springs, shackles, hangers, etc. does not sit any lower that that. On the front with PST 1.03" bars, it is probably not set quite as low as yours...but, I agree, I like the rake as long as the rear is not jacked up to get it.

thedodgeboys · « **Reply #13 on:** October 20, 2011 - 03:15:29 AM »

Interesting on my challenger I'm running the MOPAR e body relocation hangers with hotchkis springs and have no issues with clearance or cutting. I did have to use the offset a body front hangers because the springs are factory lenth instead of the super stock lenth.

72bluNblu · « **Reply #14 on:** October 20, 2011 - 11:58:18 AM »

Quote from: thedodgeboys on October 20, 2011 - 03:15:29 AM

Interesting on my challenger I'm running the MOPAR e body relocation hangers with hotchkis springs and have no issues with clearance or cutting. I did have to use the offset a body front hangers because the springs are factory lenth instead of the super stock lenth.

Are you running those with a B-body rear and the stock perch location (44")? Offset A-body mopar hangers are only offset about a 1/2", and the mopar rear e body shackles are only offset about 3/4", so you wouldn't be offset as much as the Dr Diff kit, which is a full 1". Seems like splitting hairs, but in this case a 1/4" is probably all that is needed to clear.

Author Topic: hotchkis spring with offset hangers (Read 8670 times)

Jamie

hotchkis spring with offset hangers

Strawdawg

Re: hotchkis spring with offset hangers

kielbasa

Re: hotchkis spring with offset hangers

HP2

Re: hotchkis spring with offset hangers

kielbasa

Re: hotchkis spring with offset hangers

72bluNblu

Re: hotchkis spring with offset hangers

Jamie

Re: hotchkis spring with offset hangers

Katfish

Re: hotchkis spring with offset hangers

72bluNblu

Re: hotchkis spring with offset hangers

Katfish

Re: hotchkis spring with offset hangers

GranCuda1970

Re: hotchkis spring with offset hangers

Road_Runner

Re: hotchkis spring with offset hangers

Strawdawg

Re: hotchkis spring with offset hangers

thedodgeboys

Re: hotchkis spring with offset hangers

72bluNblu

Re: hotchkis spring with offset hangers