New leaf springs on my 71 duster

[Andrew vanman87]

I was wondering who sells good leaf springs for my 71 duster currently a slant six car with a 7 and 1/4 but I have a A body. 8 3/4 rear that I plan putting in the car along with a 340. So my question is what are my options for leaf springs? Only thing I seem to find was slant 6 springs or hotchkes springs ... Could I put a leaf spring on it that will work with the 8 3/4 or should I wait to just put new springs on it when I do the 8 and 3/4 swap?

 

[abodyjoe]

springs will work with either 7 1/4 or 8 3/4. just need the proper U-bolts and shock plates.

as far as springs go I'd call espo. call them. the lady there is great. id go with their 6 leaf V8 springs in whatever height you want. the V8 springs use a larger eye bolt. easy enough to drill the front hanger to the proper size.
Spring and Suspension Specialists | ESPO Springs n Things





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[S'cuder]

Espo Spring in Pennsylvania and Mancini Racing outside of Detroit are frequently used sources.

 

[H22A4]

The leaf springs are indifferent to if it’s connected to a 7 1/4, 8 1/4 or 8 3/4. The U bolts and shock plates do care though.

ESPO springs. Give them a call.

 

[Professor Fate]

I was wondering who sells good leaf springs for my 71 duster currently a slant six car with a 7 and 1/4 but I have a A body. 8 3/4 rear that I plan putting in the car along with a 340. So my question is what are my options for leaf springs? Only thing I seem to find was slant 6 springs or hotchkes springs ... Could I put a leaf spring on it that will work with the 8 3/4 or should I wait to just put new springs on it when I do the 8 and 3/4 swap?

Springs are compatible regardless of whether it's a 7.25 or an 8.75 rear end. What you need to decide is what you want for a spring rate and ride height. The only thing that will change (along with your driveshaft length) when you install the 8.75 are the u bolts and the shock plates- the 8.75 has larger diameter axle tubes.

 

[Andrew vanman87]

Thanks for the information guys I'll check out Mancini I just was having a hard time finding some of the internet.... I wanted to leave spring that was going to put up with the abuse of the 340 I plan to put in it... Possibly throw the spring in now ( because the current springs now are pretty blown out old ) I was hoping that I'd be able to have at least bring that would work with my 8 and 3/4 when I do my upgrade I have the shock plates and all the hardware for my 8 and 3/4 just minus the leaf springs.

 

[rbkt65]

i got a set of general springs from a member on here. 5 leaf, 5/8 front eye bolt. part number 78-705

 

[RustyRatRod]

ESPO, General Spring and Mancini would be three good choices. I would tend to not recommend the Mopar Performance springs. They had a bad run being made in Mexico some time back and I don't know if they ever solved that or not. So you've been warned.

 

[Professor Fate]

Really? You disagree? Okay, you'll find out the hard (expensive) way.

 

[Andrew vanman87]

View attachment 1716035429
Really? You disagree? Okay, you'll find out the hard (expensive) way.

No I was replying on my phone... Fat fingers

 

[RustyRatRod]

No I was replying on my phone... Fat fingers

I'm on a laptop and find sometimes it's easy to do.

 

[Professor Fate]

All good- that happens all the time, you just have to make sure of your entries.
I mentioned the poor positioning of the "X" to @Joeychgo a while back, but didn't seem to think it would be easy to fix or move...

 

[Professor Fate]

I'm on a laptop and find sometimes it's easy to do.

Yeah, the X right under the Reply button is way too close.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Yeah, the X right under the Reply button is way too close.

I agree.

 

[murph 44]

I was wondering who sells good leaf springs for my 71 duster currently a slant six car with a 7 and 1/4 but I have a A body. 8 3/4 rear that I plan putting in the car along with a 340. So my question is what are my options for leaf springs? Only thing I seem to find was slant 6 springs or hotchkes springs ... Could I put a leaf spring on it that will work with the 8 3/4 or should I wait to just put new springs on it when I do the 8 and 3/4 swap?

So I'm trying to do the same thing with my 71 duster valliant and having problems finding the right leaf springs, curious what spring you went with and how does the rear end sit with the springs you put in ?

 

[abodyjoe]

So I'm trying to do the same thing with my 71 duster valliant and having problems finding the right leaf springs, curious what spring you went with and how does the rear end sit with the springs you put in ?

what exactly are you trying to do witht he car? plenty of options depending what you are looking to do.

 

[murph 44]

Just to drive on the street, had new leaf springs put on back in 2019 general spring number 33-909, Don't drive the car much moved out to Arizona took the car out rear shackle straightened out to the front of the car and coming through my trunk pan. This is a 7-in arch on the springs which is way too much

 

[abodyjoe]

call these guys. https://www.springsnthings.com/ . get their 6 leaf V-8 springs (larger eye bolt) and decide what height ya want.. stock, +1 or +2 inch.. i think they have lowered ones now too... perfect for your use.

rear shackle straightened out to the front of the car and coming through my trunk pan.

sounds like the spring was too short.

 

[toolmanmike]

Just to drive on the street, had new leaf springs put on back in 2019 general spring number 33-909, Don't drive the car much moved out to Arizona took the car out rear shackle straightened out to the front of the car and coming through my trunk pan. This is a 7-in arch on the springs which is way too much

Mine did that too. I took a long pry bar and stuck it between the spring and shackle and popped the spring onto the other side.

 

[murph 44]

call these guys. https://www.springsnthings.com/ . get their 6 leaf V-8 springs (larger eye bolt) and decide what height ya want.. stock, +1 or +2 inch.. i think they have lowered ones now too... perfect for your use.



sounds like the spring was too short.

Way too short by about 4 in when I take the spring off, thanks for the input I'll give them a call

 

[JDMopar]

This is a good place to get springs and other suspension parts.

John R. Spring Service, Inc. | Spring Manufacturer

We carry a full line of Leaf Springs, Coil Springs and Accessories for passenger cars, light trucks, heavy trucks and trailers, Western Plow parts, Load Master Helper Springs and Load Star Variable Rate Coil Springs

www.johnrspring.com

 

[murph 44]

This is a good place to get springs and other suspension parts.

http://[URL]http://www.johnrspring.com/index.html

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Thank you

 

[Mistabreeze]

This was a very helpful thread, I'm researching rear springs now for my 71 Duster. The ones in it are new, but it sits a mile high and I want to lower it an inch under stock height.