8 3/4 springs on the cheap

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David Boyd

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Rockfield, Kentucky
I am strapped for spring upgrade funds for my 8 3/4 upgrade in my 64 Valiant. I do have a spare second set of 7 1/4 springs. I thought about taking a leaf or two from the second set, maybe adding some "curve" to them, and maybe adding a spacer block at each mount to give some lift? I know I'll need new plates and U bolts.
 
They are the same spring.......Length width.....You will need new u bolta and shock plates....
 
Some add a leaf and cut it off about an 1" or 2 behind the spring mount to strengthen the front segment and clamp them. Helps with axle hop, traction, and adds a little more height.
I did it with my Ragtop because I bought a set years ago and they were too short when I tried to use them a few years later.:BangHead:
 
Kendog 170 said:
Some add a leaf and cut it off about an 1" or 2 behind the spring mount to strengthen the front segment and clamp them. Helps with axle hop, traction, and adds a little more height.
I did it with my Ragtop because I bought a set years ago and they were too short when I tried to use them a few years later.:BangHead:
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The PO of my Swinger added a beefy short leaf that must have been out of a pick up. It jacked the back up and it does have a firm ride. Not teeth chattering though. I should just order some springs and parts from Espo and fix it right.

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David Boyd said:
I am strapped for spring upgrade funds for my 8 3/4 upgrade in my 64 Valiant. I do have a spare second set of 7 1/4 springs. I thought about taking a leaf or two from the second set, maybe adding some "curve" to them, and maybe adding a spacer block at each mount to give some lift? I know I'll need new plates and U bolts.
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Throw a set of $80.00 air shocks on it until you do the upgrade properly. 40 psi and off you go. 2 cents.
 
A56 said:
Throw a set of $80.00 air shocks on it until you do the upgrade properly. 40 psi and off you go. 2 cents.
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And then when you do it right and replace the springs you can repair the shock mounts too after they're pounded out from carrying the weight of the car.
 
Do it once and do it right. Like I posted above, my Swinger will need to be repaired again to make it right. I replaced the saggy original springs on my 66 15 years ago with ESPO pieces. It looks great today.

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Put a wanted ad up. I'm sure someone has some cheap springs near you.

My 67 dart Has HD rear springs from the factory. They have 6 full leaves vs the stock 5.

What is the issue with your existing springs?
 
I too had a extra set of springs laying in my stash. My Valiant used a extra leaf from that along with the set on the car.
Using the second from the main.2 new center bolts and I was good to go. I'm a "Use what ya got " kinda guy.

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Back in the day, when we were broke............Cut the eyes off a main leaf and tuck it into the spring pack. Man, I miss those days :(
 
What CFD244 said. Done it on a couple of cars. One of them was around 1996. Still sits good.
 
junkyardhero said:
i was led to believe that this operation would only take 45min from the telling of people around here
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I'm assuming you have never done it before, and might get some bolts that don't want to cooperate.

I can see it being done in an hour but block out 4 to be safe
 
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