Anyone use ESPO stock height springs? Interested in height.
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.
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.
