'70 Challenger rear height?

[chevyconvert]

1st of all hello everyone, been away from the site too long!!
old subject, but what height is actually correct from the top of the rear wheel openning to the ground on a '70 with 15" rallye wheels??
Does anyone know?

mine is about 22-3/4" and has always looked low to me. the springs look flat but don't want to change 'em and end up at the same height.
If possible could a few members measure and post their "rear" heights       ??

Missed you guys!

[Chryco Psycho]

The best solution I have found is to add 1 main leaf with the ends cut off , this seems to be the cheapest & fastest solution to lift the rear. If you replace the whole spring pack do not use Mopar springs they sag out immediately & are junk , Espo is the best bet but you have to be careful on the +1 " +1 may be too much or too little 

[burdar]

I've got the MP springs on mine and they are fine so far.  I think I'm around 24 3/4 if I remember correctly.

[chevyconvert]

Well 2" more would be about perfect I think! Thanks for the info.!

[burdar]

With all the problems you hear about the MP springs I'd go with someone else.  I got mine for a good deal and I wanted the stock height.  So far they are fine but I'm keeping a close eye on them.

[chevyconvert]

Well....fun weekend changing the leaf springs. Could probably do it now in 4-6 hours.
Only gained a 1/4" in rear height .

But on the bright side I did gain some experience and new tools...torque wrench set, pry bar set, aluminum floor jack, bottle jack.

So to gain a 1/4" in height cost me roughly.......$600.00 

Hope they don't squeak. Thought it was odd that there are no rubber pads at the center spring mounts....
Should there be?

[74challenger03]

I feel the butt end is to low also,so I did the same thing and this year I will add a leaf to raise it more.

[ToxicWolf]

The best solution I have found is to add 1 main leaf with the ends cut off , this seems to be the cheapest & fastest solution to lift the rear. If you replace the whole spring pack do not use Mopar springs they sag out immediately & are junk , Espo is the best bet but you have to be careful on the +1 " +1 may be too much or too little

Trying not to hijack, and this may be a dumb question, but how much of the end do you cut off?

[Chryco Psycho]

Just 1" or so behind where the spring starts to curl , so full length - the rolled ends .

[ToxicWolf]

Just 1" or so behind where the spring starts to curl , so full length - the rolled ends .

Thank you.   

[bigblue73]

Well....fun weekend changing the leaf springs. Could probably do it now in 4-6 hours.
Only gained a 1/4" in rear height .

But on the bright side I did gain some experience and new tools...torque wrench set, pry bar set, aluminum floor jack, bottle jack.
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/Smileys/default/RebelFlag.gif
So to gain a 1/4" in height cost me roughly.......$600.00 

Hope they don't squeak. Thought it was odd that there are no rubber pads at the center spring mounts....
Should there be?

What spring did you purchase to only get a 1/4" of rise?  Did you purchase stock height  or something else.  Just curious because when I did mine - I was surprised at the Gasser Stance I had for a week or so.  I did a +1 on mine and had no clue where the stock height was.

[chevyconvert]

I bought the stock springs (mopar for 440/hemi) from summit. Already had them before checking in here.

Chryco: how would you "add a spring" since they are pinned or clamped as a set? 
Can I use a leaf out of my old set? Do you take the bottom leaf of the old set and add it under the new set? Please clarify and thanks in advance!

So I am now Setttin' at 23" from ground to wheel well trim measured in line with the center cap of my 15" rallye wheel.
Is this normal height ? Still don't know what stock was with 15" wheels.

[burdar]

What you would do to add a leaf is cut the eyes off of your stock main leafs.(or get some at a junkyard if you don't want to cut your original ones)  Cut them off just before the metal starts to curve.

Put a C-clamp on the springs and remove the center bolt.  Install the cut main leaf directly under the new main leaf.  Then reinstall the other springs under that.  Clamp them together and install a new bolt through the center.

[HP2]

I have never seen any literature in any service manuals designating what rear height should be. It always kind of fell where it was and I think a lot of the rake that most remember from the good old days was due to changes in tire height and air shocks.

However, with that said, some time ago I came across a factory construction document that provided some info on rear heights for various models that was used for QA inspection at the factory. I seem to recall it was on the 1970 Hamtramck Registry site that Barry maintains but I don't recall where.

http://www.hamtramck-historical.com/

[bigblue73]

I'm sitting at 24" to the wheel well trim.  Good question what "stock" should be.  The car is sitting on a 26" tall tire for reference.