1962 Dodge Lancer Leaf Springs?

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turbshelbys

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I do apologize if this has been covered, but looking to replace my worn out springs. Part #'s or different makes and models that will fit? Thank you so much
 
If you get used springs make sure you check the arch to insure your rear doesn't sag. You can take it to a chassis shop where they'll do it for you or do it yourself. It's a simple measurement. The Mopar chassis guide has a section on how to do it. You'll have to find out the specific arch measurement to makr sure its within specs.
 
I wouldn't get any of those linked items, no. I'd go directly to ESPO, call them on the phone and order their 5-leaf springs. They have a long history of getting this right. Results and reviews have been thoroughly mixed for those Hotchkiss items, especially.
 
slantsixdan said:
I wouldn't get any of those linked items, no. I'd go directly to ESPO, call them on the phone and order their 5-leaf springs. They have a long history of getting this right. Results and reviews have been thoroughly mixed for those Hotchkiss items, especially.
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Ok will do, thanks for the help.
 
I personally prefer the MP -002 & -003 super stocks for a higher rake in the rear.

If you want stock ride height or dropped, I would recommend going with Espo as the others have recommended. I installed a set of the Espo springs on a 71 Dart for a friend and they were there answering their tech line and walking us through some of our issues. They even went so far as to answer a voice mail within 5-10 minutes after leaving it. We called about 4 times during the install for minor issues which they helped us through.

A+ for Espo customer support after the sale!!!
 
Another vote for Espo. At the time, they didn't show a part number for my '64 Valiant, but I called and they had them to my house in less than a week...and the price was right.
 
turbshelbys said:
Was thinking of getting these?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hotchkis-24...prings-Geometry-Corrected-1-Drop/331399026276
or
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/dcc-4120864/overview/year/1966/make/plymouth/model/barracuda
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/dcc-4120863/overview/year/1966/make/plymouth/model/barracuda
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those types could't be further apart in application.


the hotchkins are more for handling. very good spring for that purpose.


the mopar performance ones are for drag racing. car will sit high and 90% of the time lopsided.

espo are a nice stock replacement. personally i don't like their 5 leaf springs. have had far better luck with their 6 leaf springs. eithe rway their customer service is awesome..

i'm running eaton springs on our dart now.. haven't put too many miles on them yet though.
 
abodyjoe said:
those types could't be further apart in application.


the hotchkins are more for handling. very good spring for that purpose.


the mopar performance ones are for drag racing. car will sit high and 90% of the time lopsided.

espo are a nice stock replacement. personally i don't like their 5 leaf springs. have had far better luck with their 6 leaf springs. eithe rway their customer service is awesome..

i'm running eaton springs on our dart now.. haven't put too many miles on them yet though.
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Good comparison Joe. I mis-ordered the 5 leaf springs instead of the 6 leaf ones from Espo and they have settled a bit in 10 years but not bad enough to be an issue.
 

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Keep in mind a '62 Lancer is a shorter, lighter car than a '63+ Dart or '67+ Valiant. Don't wanna turn it into a buckboard with super-stiff, super-high rear springs and willowy soft front torsion bars. I still vote for 5-leaf; that's what I put on my '62 Lancer over a decade ago and I'm still real pleased with 'em.

Mike, they look good on your '66, too; it looks just a little higher in back than in front, as it should be.
 
espo's 6 leaf springs are far from stiff. they ride pretty nice even with a kyb shock. i have found that when you put the slightest things in the trunk the 5 leaf sag pretty bad. they go back to sitting normal with nothing in the trunk but boy do they drop fast with anything in the trunk.. the 6 leaf don't do that near as much. but hey thats just my experience.
 
As abodyjoe stated,Mike Eaton, Eaton Detroit Springs is another good company and easy to deal with.+1 or 2'',-1 or 2'',any combo you want,they will make them. Even though I bought them 6 years ago,I just installed a set yesterday on a 63 Plymouth Belvedere.He will talk to you on the phone,e-mail etc. I believe he even does facebook,twitter etc. Just a thought.
 
Wow, my experience with the 5-leafs isn't like that at all. Oh well…different cars, different experiences, I guess.

A '62 Lancer 4-door sedan weighs about 2480 pounds, ±depending on equipment.
A '66 Dart 4-door sedan weighs about 2750 pounds, ±depending on equipment.
A '69 Dart 4-door sedan weighs about 2900 pounds, ±depending on equipment.
A '74 Dart 4-door sedan weighs about 3300 pounds, ±depending on equipment.
 
Looks like I will be calling Eaton then. Here is a pic of my car, just bought it last month. It has air shocks on the back that's why it is sitting the way it is. I do like the way it sits but the ride is terrible. The pass side leaf has started to separate as well.

I plan on putting all new suspension on it as well, including torsion bars, so any and all recommendations are welcome. It is a 225/auto and will be staying that way for the foreseeable future.

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turbshelbys said:
I do like the way it sits but the ride is terrible. The pass side leaf has started to separate as well.
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If you want it to sit jacked up like that you're going to be hard pressed to get a decent ride out of it.

The torsion bars must be jacked up to the moon and if you go with new thicker bars they are going to be stiffer than what you have. Air shocks are not going to improve your ride. I'm unsure if you are getting that height out of the air shocks or the springs. I'll assume the shocks, which is affecting the ride quality. But to get the 4x4 look out of a spring it will most likely have to be a +x over arch. Again, this isn't going to help your ride quality.
 
abodyjoe said:
i have found that when you put the slightest things in the trunk the 5 leaf sag pretty bad. they go back to sitting normal with nothing in the trunk but boy do they drop fast with anything in the trunk..
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I like how the super stock springs sit like stock with a body in the trunk.... LOL! :D
 
You can lower the SS springs with an adjustable front shackle, sliders or getting them de-arched.

spring choice has as much to do with car usage as it does with the actual brand and style you buy. It' s 2-3 step decision.
 
roccodart440 said:
If you want it to sit jacked up like that you're going to be hard pressed to get a decent ride out of it.

The torsion bars must be jacked up to the moon and if you go with new thicker bars they are going to be stiffer than what you have. Air shocks are not going to improve your ride. I'm unsure if you are getting that height out of the air shocks or the springs. I'll assume the shocks, which is affecting the ride quality. But to get the 4x4 look out of a spring it will most likely have to be a +x over arch. Again, this isn't going to help your ride quality.
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Guess I should clarify a little bit, I don't plan on running the car that high I just like the "stance". probably will come down an 1 1/2 in front and back.
 
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