340doc
Well-Known Member
What's your experience? Did they raise the rear more than level? I'm leaning towards their stock height 6 leaf, but don't want a raised rear. Its a 70 Dart. Thanks.
Anyone use ESPO stock height springs? Interested in height.
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If you order stock should be good. I ordered 1 inch plus. Does sit a little high but car is a bare skin. When reassembled it should be good. When you call talk to them. Very knowledgeable and will hook you up. Fast delivery as well
340doc
Well-Known Member
Good info, thanks.
I am using there stock height springs, and wish I would have gone with a 1" drop. These pics are with a 15x7 rim and 255/60 tires. Have almost 600 miles on them, so I don't think they will settle anymore.
Plymouth 65
I'll be in the shop
I love those steelies, nice! 65'
Rustyfish
Member
I got plus 1" and am very happy with the rake I got, but I'm old school. If I do another, I might mini tub and slam it.
1969VADart
Well-Known Member
Keep in my that if you are replacing tired and worn out leaf springs with the new springs you may end up with a little bit of an increase in ride height simply because the old springs sag. I ordered the stock height for my 69 Dart but the car rode a little high for me, so I installed a lower block.
I think @abodyjoe ran both the stock and +1" ESPO's on one of his Darts, maybe he can chime in with the pictures of the ride heights.
I wouldn't go with anything higher than stock, and if you like where the car sits on its worn out springs you may want to consider a -1". If the front is lowered, that may be the ticket.
I wouldn't go with anything higher than stock, and if you like where the car sits on its worn out springs you may want to consider a -1". If the front is lowered, that may be the ticket.
abodyjoe
Well-Known Member
these are +1" espo. if i did it again i'd go stock or -1"
abodyjoe
Well-Known Member
+1"
ir3333
Well-Known Member
i purchased stock springs from Espo for my dart and it sat higher than i liked.I made new front spring mounts to lower it to stock height.
Not a 70 Swinger but I have stock height Espo's on my 66. Perfect!
71Twister440
Well-Known Member
I am running stock ESPO springs with a 1" aluminum lowering block(71 Duster) because I wanted lower modern look, but my car is also on 18" wheels and barely 75 miles since new springs so it haven't finished settling yet. Also I have a spring relocation kit with 3 different mounting location on the front perch and am unsure if they match a factory location. Just want you to have an accurate view of what I have compared to yours if it is factory. I am very happy with quality but if going for a lower modern look id def agree if I had to do it over id go with -1".
Height of the body over the rear axle depends on the vehicle weight, the weight distribution, and to a lesser degree the front ride height setting.
That's why Chrysler and many different stock leaf spring packs. They also tried to account for use, building in more rate, and/or ratio for cargo or torque resistance on some.
To get some idea of the selection of factory replacement springs without going through the parts books, you can just skim the offerings from Stanley Spring (Harrisburg Pa) being sold here
Dodge Lancer Dart and Swinger Leaf Springs - Stengel Bros Inc.
Plymouth Valiant Leaf Springs - Stengel Bros Inc.
The only rear height info I've seen from the factory is at Hamtramck Historical.
The 1970 Hamtramck Registry "Chrysler Passenger Car Bumper Heights 1965 thru 1976" Page
Not really sure the intended purpose of this document as these heights were never in service manuals, possibly for final check before or after delivery to dealers. Note on page two that these specs are for fully loaded cars (5 passengers, full fuel) but does not say what options. Also the bumpers are somewhat adjustable and the body has some uh slop so this isn't quite the same as suspension service reference.
Chrysler set the cars up so the leaf springs are nearly flat at normal loads. This is for handling as explained in Chrysler literature such as here. That said, springs will show the effects of over a million cycles. I figure 70-90K miles is a good average for typically used vehicle (occassionally fully loaded, some bad roads, etc). Sometimes they will be fine for longer, and under real abuse, less miles than that.
340doc
Well-Known Member
Interesting read, thanks.
340doc
Well-Known Member
Thanks everyone for your input. I think I'm gonna roll the dice and get the -1. I feel the 48 year old springs are pretty wore out and I like the height.
1969VADart
Well-Known Member
Just for reference, here is a side profile of my stock height ESPO springs with a 1" lowering block. Note that the rear fender is almost down to the top of wheel with the lowering block. We also turned down the torsion bars in the front to lower the whole profile of the car.
Yes, from what I understand they did. My 66 Dart had the HD suspension option. It had 6 leaf springs originally. I ordered them from ESPO over the winter when the car was locked up in storage. The gal asked whether it had 5 or 6 leaf. I said 5 and got a stock spring pack (no 1 or 2" over). Although the springs have settled and I added tall 15" tires I think it sets just right for the look I want.
Go for the -1's. I purchased their stock height springs. I've added a 1" lowering block and it's still too high for what i want. I have also done a spring relocation and have it on the top of the three holes in the bracket. I hope it settles a good bit when it hits the road later this summer.
71Twister440
Well-Known Member
Sounds like just about what I have going on
KnuckleDuster
Well-Known Member
+1" Espo with 275/60-15 15x8 rear and 225/70-14 on 14x7 front.
Been in the car for 11 years but driven on about 3. They have settled by now.
Not a Dart but hopefully it helps.
Been in the car for 11 years but driven on about 3. They have settled by now.
Not a Dart but hopefully it helps.
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