1972 Plymouth Duster 340 Ride Height

[jpikaart]

I have a 1972 Plymouth Duster 340 and the rear end seems to sit high. The previous owner installed MOPAR Super Stock Springs 2800 pound Summit 4120683/4 springs on the car.

Does anyone know the baseline ride height measurements and where to take these measurements so that I can compare my car to the factory baseline numbers?

 

[burrpenick]

I have a 1972 Plymouth Duster 340 and the rear end seems to sit high. The previous owner installed MOPAR Super Stock Springs 2800 pound Summit 4120683/4 springs on the car.

Does anyone know the baseline ride height measurements and where to take these measurements so that I can compare my car to the factory baseline numbers?

no one answered the height issue? I'm in need too!

 

[KnuckleDuster]

Found this on FB the other day and saved it.
Sorry, posted it quickly, after looking at the measurements, it doesn't answer your ride height question. I was thinking it showed frame height from the ground.

 

[72bluNblu]

Wow, there’s an old thread revival!

There really isn’t a factory ride height spec for the rear. The front suspension height was set using LCA measurements that are independent of tire height and ground clearance, so the ride height actually changed depending on the tire options. The specs for A-bodies are listed under the "V&L" lines in this image from the FSM

In the back the factory height was basically with a near zero arch spring though. The car should sit pretty much level front-to-rear with the factory specs. The SS springs are usually a good 1.5" lift from stock, although the amount of rake also depends on if you're running taller tires out back too.

 

[Bodyperson]

If you don't like the look of the height you can have the springs re-arched.

 

[72bluNblu]

If you don't like the look of the height you can have the springs re-arched.

You could, but that would defeat a lot of the purpose of having the SS springs. You'd just end up with really stiff springs that don't launch as well as they did before.

 

[Bodyperson]

You could, but that would defeat a lot of the purpose of having the SS springs. You'd just end up with really stiff springs that don't launch as well as they did before.

I understand. Just trying to reinforce the idea that there isn't really a specification and it's all just what tires and look you want.

 

[72bluNblu]

I understand. Just trying to reinforce the idea that there isn't really a specification and it's all just what tires and look you want.

Oh totally. The only spec for the suspension height I'm aware of was for the front, and as I've said before even that spec pretty much goes out the window when you start running radials instead of bias ply's.

The SS springs are really designed for drag racing though, so, if drag racing isn't the primary use of the car I would look at different springs before I looked at having the SS springs re-arched. There are much better spring options for a street car, especially if you don't want the ride height the SS springs give you.

 

[67autocross]

With super stock springs you end up with a huge difference in ride height on the front suspension if you want the car to sit close to level .... if you can get rid of those springs and a get a matching set I would if it was me.