hotchkis leaf springs sitting too low :(

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67cuda360

67cuda360

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I just installed the new hotchkis leaf springs on my 67 barracuda and the car sits even lower then it sat on the tired old springs. I re-used the front leaf spring hangers (to avoid it even sitting lower) now my 255/60 R15's rub on the wheel well lips when I go over a bump. Any suggestions on how to raise the rear by 1/2 - 3/4 of an inch?
 

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67cuda360 said:
I just installed the new hotchkis leaf springs on my 67 barracuda and the car sits even lower then it sat on the tired old springs. I re-used the front leaf spring hangers (to avoid it even sitting lower) now my 255/60 R15's rub on the wheel well lips when I go over a bump. Any suggestions on how to raise the rear by 1/2 - 3/4 of an inch?
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What is the backspacing on those rims?

The Hotchkis springs are not factory replacement springs. They are made for handling with a lower center of gravity (lower).
 
I'm not sure on the backspacing, I know it's a pretty wide tire for a barracuda but I expected to be at least close to the original ride height. The leaf I replaced it with were severely shot and must have sagged over the years, so I'm a little suprised to see that the hotchkis kit sits even lower then a wornout/sagged stock spring.

I thought the main thing that lowered the hotchkis kit was the front hanger.

Is there anything else I can do to raise it a little bit or is rolling the wheel well lip the only thing I can do to stop the rubbing? (don't want to have to buy new rims or tires LOL)
 
Mancini sells the front leaf spring bracket that has two mounting positions. I am not sure if it has a stock height / lower mounting hole or a stock height / lifted mounting hole. I have the brackets but with their springs too and it rides pretty high now.
 
67cuda360 said:
I'm not sure on the backspacing, I know it's a pretty wide tire for a barracuda but I expected to be at least close to the original ride height. The leaf I replaced it with were severely shot and must have sagged over the years, so I'm a little suprised to see that the hotchkis kit sits even lower then a wornout/sagged stock spring.

I thought the main thing that lowered the hotchkis kit was the front hanger.

Is there anything else I can do to raise it a little bit or is rolling the wheel well lip the only thing I can do to stop the rubbing? (don't want to have to buy new rims or tires LOL)
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My guess is that those are 3.75 or 4.00" backspacing.

A 4.5 backspacing 15x8 or a 4.25" backspacing 15x7 will help.

I have 245/50/15 with 15x8 and 4.5" backspacing no problems.
 
Longer rear shackles will raise the rearend' but like autoxcuda stated the off set on your wheels more the problem. 295/55/15 on mine, stock spring location. 4.5 offset 8 inch wheel.
 
cuda20 said:
Longer rear shackles will raise the rearend' but like autoxcuda stated the off set on your wheels more the problem. 295/55/15 on mine, stock spring location. 4.5 offset 8 inch wheel.
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Wow, did you mini tub it?
offset could very well be the issue with the rubbing, I just don't want to spend the money on 4 new rims.

Does anyone have any more on the bracket that kkeith1986 was talking about? Sounds like it could be an easy fix.
 
to OP,

I had same issue. I used the springs only.....rear of vehicle was lowered more than the advertised 1". I had a spring shop add 1 full size leaf to the leaf stack.

I'm happy with the way it sits now, the extra leaf added approx 1/2"-1" in height. Also happy with the ride. Ride quality was just fine before,,,,,and slightly stiffer now.
 
No mini tub. I believe the front brackets he is talking about are to lower the car.
 
I guess these are the brackets from mancini, doesn't seem to be the solution, It lowers it about an inch. http://chucker54.stores.yahoo.net/mabospha.html

Are there any drawbacks to adding a full size leaf to the leaf stack?
just wondering how hard it is to do, Is it possible to re-use one of the leafs from my old springs? I just hate messing with something that was engineered for a specific purpose LOL.
 
Yes...those leaves are "flatter" to lower the rear and provide improved handling.
 
I see 2 options.

1. Get wheels with the correct offset.
2. Get different springs.

The choice will depend on your end plan. If you plan to install the hotchkis system and build with handling in mind, get different wheels.

If you like the car the way it is now but need it higher in back, buy some mopar XHD springs.
 
Hm, would be nice to get some new rims, but cha ching.... lol.
So no one seems to think it sits too low? Is this the look I should expect with the hotchkis kit? I'm not against it, kinda makes it look like a low racer, I guess that was the intent LOL.

What do you guys think of the saltflat rims?
 

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be nice to see pics of the entire side of the car.



Is this the look I should expect with the hotchkis kit?
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yes. if you wanted something that sat higher you should have gone with something like a aspo spring. they make them in stock height and +1" or +2"..



always liked the salt flats..
 
Thats about the height your going to have with those springs. My wheels barely cleared the wheel lips. I clearanced mine for a peace of mine. What does get close to rubbing is the upper lip inside the wheel well housing on very hard corners.
 
I did a review on these and sent them back months ago. If you'd like a spring the works they arent cheap but they work. PM me if interested.
 
Like autoxcuda said, everything hotchkis does is for handling their complete kit including their leafs lower the whole car I believe around 2" roughly? My throw them up for trade or u could sell the hotchkis springs and buy SS springs? I bet plenty of guys on here would buy yours.
 
GMachineDartGT said:
I did a review on these and sent them back months ago. If you'd like a spring the works they arent cheap but they work. PM me if interested.
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Hi, I'm not sure, but I think I'm missing part of the sentence above LOL, Where you suggesting some springs?
Could you send me a link of the review you did on these springs?

I'm currently still debating on what to do.

I was thinking about buying some salt flat rims, but I just realized my front tires are 14" and they don't make 14" salt flat rims, so If I need to add tires to the package it is really getting out a hand $$ :)

I'm thinking of either re-building the original springs and maybe add a leaf or buying the XHD version from mancini racing. They advertise a 1" lift over stock. Does anyone know if those are the same springs as the XHD's that summit has for sale?

I would love to sell or trade the springs with someone but I'm out here in Canada and I can only assume that shipping these badboys would be $$
 
fastbackmopar said:
Thats about the height your going to have with those springs. My wheels barely cleared the wheel lips. I clearanced mine for a peace of mine. What does get close to rubbing is the upper lip inside the wheel well housing on very hard corners.
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Just curious how you clearanced them, did you roll the wheel well lip or did you just cut it back?
 
espo springs 'n things offer a 6 leaf spring (for the 360) which is 1" over stock. Does anyone think that would put the rear up too high? The picture above is the hotchkis springs with the stock front leaf spring hanger (not the hotchkis 1" lowering mount) If it does sit too high I could always use the lowering mount from the hotchkis kit I guess.
Gotta love shooting in the dark :)
 
Bad Shrimp said:
to OP,

I had same issue. I used the springs only.....rear of vehicle was lowered more than the advertised 1". I had a spring shop add 1 full size leaf to the leaf stack.

I'm happy with the way it sits now, the extra leaf added approx 1/2"-1" in height. Also happy with the ride. Ride quality was just fine before,,,,,and slightly stiffer now.
Click to expand...

Shoud have just done this to your stock springs. I had a spring shop add one main leaf to mine. It raised it 1" and stopped it from hitting in the wheelwell. Tradeoff is the stiffer ride
 
67cuda360 said:
espo springs 'n things offer a 6 leaf spring (for the 360) which is 1" over stock. Does anyone think that would put the rear up too high? The picture above is the hotchkis springs with the stock front leaf spring hanger (not the hotchkis 1" lowering mount) If it does sit too high I could always use the lowering mount from the hotchkis kit I guess.
Gotta love shooting in the dark :)
Click to expand...

all depends what you like... for me the +1" sit too high on jamies dart. but a friends dart they look ok..


would really be nice to see a picture your entire car. its really hard to see how low it really sits..


here are three cars i put the espo +1" springs on...

the green 69 i think looks fine, the orange 68 i think looks fine but the burnt orange 70 looks way too high to me... whenever i save the money i'll be putting the springs pete (gmachine) is selling on the burnt orange car. like he said though. not cheap..


Jamiemagazinepic.jpg


DSCN6542.jpg


DSC_0039.jpg
 
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