Replacing Leaf Springs

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1969VADart

1969VADart

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I am looking to replace the leaf springs in my 69 Dart. I was thinking of just putting new OEM style springs in to maintain the stock stance of the car. If I go with OEM leaf springs, where is the best place (vendor/retailer) to get those parts? If I wanted to raise the rear up possibly an inch or two, what leaf springs would be best to accomplish that task and where would be the best place to buy them? Thanks.
 
I had sagging original leaf springs, installed XHDs purchased from Jegs, and picked up about 2 inches of height. After two years they have settled a bit, but not much.
 
Depends on your application. I put Super Stock spring on my big block Dart and had to tweak the tortion bars for a level ride, they came from Mancini. With my 360 cuda I went with 1" higher springs from ESPO and got about a 2'lift from my original 69 leaf springs. With the right shocks both ride and handle well.
 
Keep in mind "OEM" is a wide range of spring rates.

For example, I have AFCO 20230 142lb.

They work hand in hand with torsion bar sizes, so if your planning an upgrade, keep that in mind!
 
Went with the Mancini XHD for my GT. Love them but I def don't think there's a 2" height increase. Still, an awesome ride and I love the stance on my ride.
 
I went with ESPN only took about a week just let them know what type of bushes your using as they make the years a little bigger if using Nolathane compared to rubber.
 
PoisonDart74 said:
Keep in mind "OEM" is a wide range of spring rates.

For example, I have AFCO 20230 142lb.

They work hand in hand with torsion bar sizes, so if your planning an upgrade, keep that in mind!
Click to expand...

Good Point.

I have a set of stock torsion bars up front at the moment but recently landed a pair of PST 1.03's.

Do you have a leaf recommendation based on the upgraded torsion bars?

thx.
 
I just this week replaced the springs on my '65 Barracuda. Went all stock with replacements from ESPO Springs 'n Things. Cost was reasonable, product was decent, and shipped real quick. They have all the hardware you will need as well, U-bolts, front pivot bolt, etc. Just plan on prepping and giving them a good coat of paint. Unless you're looking for something for performance, this is the ticket. Besides that, they were POLITE to talk to on the phone. Ask for Laura.

http://www.springsnthings.com/
 
Another thumbs up for ESPO Springs 'n Things. Got stock height for my Valiant and plus 1" for my Barracuda. Great folks to deal with and the springs work very well.
 
AlV said:
Good Point.

I have a set of stock torsion bars up front at the moment but recently landed a pair of PST 1.03's.

Do you have a leaf recommendation based on the upgraded torsion bars?

thx.
Click to expand...

Sure, I have the AFCO 20231 142lb, I bought on 72blunblu recommendations for ones that work with a stiff bar like a 1.06+, I'd say after the settled down, I don't notice them, almost thinking I should have gone with a little stiffer spring.

So, I'd look into them, if you can. They come in +1" and HD if you want a little rake.

I ordered mine stock so I could make the best of a flat stance for handling doing auto x and wouldn't have to jack the front end up to compensate. After they settled, not sure a +1" would be that big of a problem either way, especially with people riding in the back over crappy roads.

Here is the genesis thread:

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/archive/index.php/t-293407.html

Nice bars BTW!

I'll grab a stance picture.
 
Thanks for the input. I will hold out for Carlisle to see if the Springs N' Things folks are there. Otherwise, I will look them up. I am going to be riding on stock torsion bars, so I am likely going to go with something along stock lines for springs. The entire front end was just rebuilt with PST's rubber (instead of poly) kit.
 
Id say go with jegs.. they're pretty good with the 100% satisfaction guarantee.

keep in mind the the ones you have now have wear and tear so they have a a lot of sag on them so by simply getting new springs you will achieve that lift you want.

i went with SS on my 68 barracuda i was trying to get 2 inches (lift) i got 4 inches with the SS leafs. and SS shocks.
 
PoisonDart74 said:
Here go, sorry the lighting sucks.:



Bars are Just suspension 1".
Click to expand...

Wow, those are the 20231's? Sits lower than I thought it would with the 6 5/8" arch. Nice. :thumbup: Is that with the stock front hanger spring eye location? I may have to get those for my GT...

I wouldn't worry about stiffer springs than 142 lb/in though. From the factory these cars had 90 lb/in springs, the XHD's were 110 lb/in. And, oddly enough, the rear end of the A-bodies was not nearly undersprung as the fronts were. From a handling perspective, the recommended leaf spring rate in the mopar handling guide is 120 lb/in. Which oddly enough matches the Mopar Oval track spring rate.:D Most of the aftermarket springs intended for handling are around 130 lb/in, Hotchkis' springs are 130 lb/in, as well as the custom Eaton's that Peter Bergman (GMachineDartGT) offers through Bergman Auto Craft.

On my Duster I run the now discontinued AFCO 20231M. It has a 121 lb/in rate, and a 6 5/8" arch. My car sits fairly low, the 20231m's basically sit at zero arch. I went a step further though and replaced my rear shackles with leaf spring sliders, which lowered the car another 3/8" or so. The top of my rear wheel arch now sits at 26 1/8", with 26" tall rear tires. Front is at 25", with 25.7" tall tires.

The 121 lb/in bars work well with my 7/8" Helwig rear sway bar, which is still set on the softest setting. The car feels pretty well balanced for handling, and I run 1.12" (300 lb/in) bars up front. Balanced with these cars is not the same spring rate front and rear. I think the 142 lb/in Afco's are a good choice to run without a rear sway bar. With a large rear bar like mine they'd probably be too stiff.

IMG_2484a_zpscao5szar.jpg
 
Yup. All stock front leaf eye. The LCA are about 2 1/4" off the bump-stops, I jacked them up because I was having issues with it bottoming out, we have some bumpy damn roads around here..


It's just about dead flat level, possibly a little high in the front. I need to cycle the suspension because it's been jacked up.. Looking forward to bigger bars soon.

Thanks for the post, lookin' good!

I hope it helps the OP and gets him thinking about spring rate relationships, and not just tossing something in there willy-nilly and end up disappointed after he spends bucks.
 
PoisonDart74 said:
Yup. All stock front leaf eye. The LCA are about 2 1/4" off the bump-stops, I jacked them up because I was having issues with it bottoming out, we have some bumpy damn roads around here..


It's just about dead flat level, possibly a little high in the front. I need to cycle the suspension because it's been jacked up.. Looking forward to bigger bars soon.

Thanks for the post, lookin' good!

I hope it helps the OP and gets him thinking about spring rate relationships, and not just tossing something in there willy-nilly and end up disappointed after he spends bucks.
Click to expand...

It's really about matching components. Spring rates, shocks, sway bars, the whole smash. The rear spring choice is more forgiving than some of the others, I think as long as you're in the 110-142 lb range things are workable for most folks, range is probably a little narrower if you're after serious handling and matching things with a rear bar.

In the front I only have about a 1 3/8" from the LCA to the frame. With the poly button style bumpstop I have about 1" of travel before I get into the bump stop. I even removed the tab on the bumpstop mount, so it's completely flat. But the 1.12" torsion bars i run have a 300 lb/in wheel rate, the JS 1" bars are probably a little under 200 lb/in. I hit the bumpstops occasionally if I drop a wheel in a pothole, but 99% of the time it doesn't come up. I also run a Helwig front bar, so that's in addition to the 300 lb/in wheel rate. I have a set of QA1 lower control arms to install, that will add almost an extra 1" of available travel. I might even go a little lower. ;)
 
Thanks! Great info, you guys have given us a lot to consider.

Since I'm working with the PST 1.03s and the stock front sway I'll start there and try to come up with a combo that works well.
 
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