I'm planning on buying a set of new springs and they are 5 leaf springs from classic industries. My OHC car has 4 leaf springs, will it make much of a ride height difference? Should I stay with the 4 leaf spring?
i put 5 leafs on my ohc 6. it is up pretty high and rides pretty stiff. i like it.
my old springs were sagging badly. i never counted the leafs. the new ones brought it up a good 3" at the rocker panel.
it is about 1.75" above stock height in the rear with 255/60/15 wheels.
with stock wheels and tires, it would still be up higher than stock by a bit. probably nearly an inch. there would be quite a bit of room between the tire and fenderlip.
i think the classic springs are comparable to the ones i bought. i forget where i bought them. it might have been from classic.
i had 255/50/16" on there for awhile, and they were about the same diameter as stock 14". there was a lot of room. if i go back to that, i might remove a leaf if it wont make the ride too soft.
The old leafs just sag to much. They are $75.00 for the pair so I figured maybe removing a leaf would be just right. I want to be able to run a 15x8 rim on the back without rubbing.
I recently replaced my leafs and went with the 5 leaf. It definitely brought that saggin a$$ rear end back to life I was able to put 15x8 Cragars with some BFG T/A 245-60R15 without any problems...the ride is fine but I still need to do the front suspension (it's on the list). Be sure to get new hardware and bushings when you order the leafs....it makes the job much easier. Here is a pic of how mine looks after replacing the leafs. Click here for pic
If you want to stick with stock ride quality you can order four-leafs bent to whatever height you want from Eaton Spring. They'll ship 'em right to your door.
I'd stick with the rubber bushings. Avoid the poly as they're prone to squeeking and further stiffen the ride (just a bit - less give).
If your car is a ":local" car , that is not from northern climates w lots of salt / rust etc, you can have the current springs rearched....or have themmadd in a leaf....I added a leaf a few yrs ago in my sagging 57 Studebaker ,got it perfect, very inexpoensive...or you can buy the 4 leaf for the 'std' stance, for the higher rear, stiffer ride etc get the 5 leaf.... I just bought new 4 leafs for my 69 last fall....
I used a Eaton 4-leaf spring in my '68 last year, really was easy job, ride is excellent now. I would think the 5-leaf spring would be more for a serious street car with gear.
My 69 convertible shipped with 4 leafs, and new 4 leaf replacements had rear end drop 1.5" from spec ride height. I bought the Classic 5 leaf for this VERY heavy bird (400, air, power everything, auto) and it restored the ride height to proper level and did not add excessive stiffness because of the high sprung weight. A light, low option coupe will weigh less and need less spring rate.
Bad news: the Classic 5 leaf shipped with the wrong spring pads, so I had to reuse the ugly ones.
Vikki 1969 Goldenrod Yellow / black 400 convertible numbers matching
I would not recommend buying a five leaf set and removing a leaf. They are meant to stay 5. If you want 4 leafs, buy 4 leaf set. I bought a 5 leaf set for a coupe and the height was right. Jim
If anyone needs a set of almost new 4 leaf springs, perfect for coupe, first $50 takes them. Shipping is expensive so if you can pick up north of Detroit you could save even more off mail order prices.
Vikki 1969 Goldenrod Yellow / black 400 convertible numbers matching
you may not be happy with air shocks. they ride pretty stiff. a good set of gas shocks ride best in these IMO.
2" sounds too small to me. someone told me 5" was spec from rubber snubber to axle, but that may not be true, as the book spec is measured from the rocker to the ground and is ~8" with stock tires. (mine is jacked up by the frame right now so i cant measure anything)
coil overs would be more comfy than air shocks, but you can probably get the new springs rearched to ride higher.
or you might also be able to change wheels to a different backspace and/or tire width so the quarters dont hit the tires. technically it should be able to bottom on the rubber bumpers without tearing up the tire. (mine wont, but it rides kinda high in back)
I was able to put 15x8 Cragars with some BFG T/A 245-60R15 without any problems...the ride is fine but I still need to do the front suspension (it's on the list).
