Need advice on rear leaf spring replacement

The rear end on my '71 sags a bit. It's the original suspension. I want to replace the rear leaf springs (which are currently mono). In order to restore to stock height (or an inch or two higher), should I replace them with mono, 4, or 5 leafs? I also plan on replacing the shocks, and have purchased some Gabriels. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Nobody else had this problem?

The springs in 35+ year old cars are generally shot. If you replace them with a stock spring, the ride height will be back to normal. You can check with the spring makers to see if they offer springs with higher than normal ride height. Most make standard and lowering springs.
Ron

I replaced my rear mono's on my 69 with multi-leafs and new stock shocks. I was surprised the lift wasn't what I expected, and the stock shocks were too short causing constant topping out of the shock .In order to get the exact height I was looking for I installed coil over shocks. Now I have that problem behind me and I like the stance and the ride now.

Hey guys, thanks for the tips. Any suggestions/recommendations on spring companies or are they all the same? Websites, telephone numbers,etc...Thanks again guys.

if i could offer a kind suggestion- i would recommend you search this suspension forum for leaf springs- there is a lot of posts on this.
personally, i am going with calvert split monos. they cost ~$330 with U bolts.
you also could consider jc whitney also.

good luck,

steve

hi there,
do you have a picture of the car now showing how much the springs sag? usually mono's look like they sag but are normally like that. JC whitney sells mono spring replacements which are a 3 leaf and fit using all the existing mono parts on the car. and there pretty cheap in price too..

Yes, I do have pics but have never posted any here. I'll give it a shot. In any event, thanks again for evryone's advice & tips.
Randy

Global West Has Them I Put A Set On MY 67 Wagon

I guess I'm still a little technologically "challenged". I couldn't figure out how to post pics...lol. Besides, I didn't have any of the profile to best view how it sags. I'll have my daughter do it for me. Thanks again guys.

I replaced my rear mono's on my 69 with multi-leafs and new stock shocks. I was surprised the lift wasn't what I expected, and the stock shocks were too short causing constant topping out of the shock .In order to get the exact height I was looking for I installed coil over shocks. Now I have that problem behind me and I like the stance and the ride now.

When you chance from a mono to multi or vice versa you also need to change the bottom bracket to put the bottom shock eye in the same location.

For replacement springs, if this is just a cruiser look for a local spring shop, most of them probably cater to trucks these days, but they may be able to get you something. Summit may now sell replacement springs, JC Whitney is always good.

A buddy of mine just called and suggested National Parts Depot www.NPD.com, & Ground Up Restoration www.ss396.com. From the sounds of things I may just stick with the mono replacements w/ new installation kit. Thanks again. Wish me luck.

I replaced the stock mono leaf springs in my wagon with multi leafs from ESPO Springs & Things. They have bushings, bolts, U-botls, spring pads, shackles and everything else you need.

You can also try Eaton Detroit Spring. They advertise in some of the mags. I have heard good things about them.

Unfortunately, I did not save my original monos. I was thinking about going to Slide A Links and they seem to suggest you use mono leafs.

I replaced my springs with Eatons. Went with stock height but you can order them with up to 2" above stock height.

Not trying to take over your thread or anything but do they offer something like a multi pack leaf to carry more weight (such as pulling a trailor with two Harleys) but in a lowered version about 2 inches lower than stock?

I got my rear springs from Classic Muscle (http://www.oldmusclecars.com/). Pics here: http://rides.webshots.com/album/96564258mnglpj. I thought it was raised too much at first, but it settled down when driven.

How does it ride and handle with the new multileafs on it compaired to a single mono leaf?

I replaced the stock mono leaf springs in my wagon with multi leafs from ESPO Springs & Things. They have bushings, bolts, U-botls, spring pads, shackles and everything else you need.

You can also try Eaton Detroit Spring. They advertise in some of the mags. I have heard good things about them.

Unfortunately, I did not save my original monos. I was thinking about going to Slide A Links and they seem to suggest you use mono leafs.

Do you have any photos of before & after installation?? I'm in serious need of new leaf springs, and trying to decide who to buy them from.. Thanks

How does it ride and handle with the new multileafs on it compaired to a single mono leaf?Since I also changed the front springs and bushings and stiffer shocks, the whole car is stiffer riding, but I like it that way. Very little lean on cornering. :)

Since I also changed the front springs and bushings and stiffer shocks, the whole car is stiffer riding, but I like it that way. Very little lean on cornering. :)

Oh ok I see. That is the feel I like as well. Stiff enough for the corners without much lean and sag under throttle.

I was thinking about going to Slide A Links and they seem to suggest you use mono leafs.

I used Slide-a-links with my multis. Seems to work well. :yes:

When I ordered my springs, ESPO offered a 3 leaf replacement. It was the same for the wagons as for the sedans as I recall it. I wanted something a little stiffer and wanted a little rake in the car and a little more room for tires. He added a leaf for me. I have been pleased with the results. It is fairly stiff and overall handles reasonably well. I have since cut one half coil from the stock 6 cyl front springs. I like the rake. Unfortuantely, I still had to install air shocks to clear my 235 X 60 drag radials. I run at the track with them down to 30 psi, but to avoid scrubbing the side walls I use about 75PSI driving to and from the track. Not much room on the first gens for tires. My plan was to at least get 15X7 rims with 4.5" of back spacing so I could ditch the air shocks. Haven't done it yet. Still looking for a 12 bolt or 9" and was going to do it all at the same time. Other Priorities came into play. Now it is creeping back to the top of the list again.

Danno, what kind of 60 foot times you cuttin with the slide a links and multi leafs?

Why do I hear lots of people ditching air shocks and not liking them? I've put them on lots of customers cars and my father 2000 Chevy crew cab dually that is lowered 7 inches and they are nice. When it's loaded down, he adds some air and they do fine.
I'm just wondering that is all.

Danno, what kind of 60 foot times you cuttin with the slide a links and multi leafs?Don't know. :rolleyes:
Never had it on the track. Was planning on a BBC at one time so was preparing the suspension. I know that the wheel-hop that was there with the old mono-leaf is gone. :D One of these days, though............:yes: