While I have the rear end out I want to change out the springs due to the fact someone had them rearched back in the 70's for that cool jacked up look??? I would like to go with a 1 inch or so drop and have been looking at the Hotchkis set up. Anyone have any input on this?

Do you have a pic of the setup?

Mine has that jacked up look as well, and id like to get it back to original. I've been curious if the springs are even original to the car, how many leafs are there supposed to be?

Also, the shackles don't look same on both sides, how much space should there be between the top of spring another frame rail?

Sorry I don't have input on your hotchkis setup but I'm curious to hear about it too.

It's up on stands right now under the knife, but it has 3 inches between the top of the tire and the fender. It was quite common to have the springs rearched back then so you could run big wide tires. There should be 5 leafs on a 69 and 1 hole in the rear shackles if they have more than 1 hole they have been changed to raise the rear. I am stuck between the Hotchkis and the Global west right now.

I just replaced all the rear suspension on my 68 with what was listed as oem replacement springs from detroit spring and although the car doesn't have an interior or a full gas tank it sits pretty high. The listed replacement spring for a 68 is a 5 leaf. The guys on here tell me it will settle down once the car is back together but I am thinking that one leaf is going to have to come out of those springs to get her back to where I want it.

Larry,

Did you have any problem getting the 5 leaf spring installed in the perch? I installed a 5 leaf from my local parts store and with new spring pads, I could not get the lower plates to snug up to the perch. I removed one leaf and it was still difficult to snug up the plate. Also the ride height was about 2" too high. I just ordered the 4 leaf heavy duty spring from Detriot hoping to get the ride height down level with the front.

Tom

They don't touch each other. Wasn't sure if they were supposed to or not. Seems like they shouldn't have to touch. On my 4x4 vehicles they aren't even close to each other. I really don't like the rear end up in the air like is is now but that whole thing may have to wait until winter. I ordered the springs from Detroit spring and they shipped through NPD.

What is the paint code on your car? That's the color my wife wants the firebird to be.

That's why I was looking at the Hotchkis set up we are all wanting a squat in the rear Hey Larry from up there I just picked up new gas lines sending unit and front end 14 inch disc set up from right stuff same as you right down the road from me.Nice set up can't wait to spend my weekend playing.

New stuff is fun. I started sorting out the new lines last night. Seems the aftermarket master I bought has different size ports than the nice shiney new lines. Grrrrrrr. Isn't it fun when brand new parts wont work together. Trying to decide if I am going to order another master or go see inline to see if they can make two small custom lines for me.

They should have brass adapter fittings. Maybe even ss ones.

Is there enough tube to cut the flare off, remove the "wrong" fitting, replace the fitting and re-flare the tube? If so, take the tubes you have to them and just have them R&R the fitting(s).

If you go the adapter route, make sure you don't have two identical materials threading together, such as stainless to stainless.

The tubes are really short and I think it would be a strain to cut them off and reflare. I also don't like the look of the adaptors so I did what any good upstanding car junky would do and ordered anther (correct this time) master off ebay. It's already been shipped so I should have it early next week.