8 3/4 springs on the cheap

[junkyardhero]

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

i have not. do you by chance have a diagram of the bolts i would need to remove along with a photo of which end of the wrench to hold?

my weekend is free seeing as that i don't have to do "weekend jail" till the end of the month and i figured i may as well give it a go.

 

[Dana67Dart]

along with a photo of which end of the wrench to hold

 

[Scody21]

And here I’m thinking the resident wrench spinning expert would have chimed in with his vast knowledge of minivan spring replacements….

 

[66'GTRob]

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.

View attachment 1716324079

Good morning Mike.
What size rims and tires are you running? I like the look of this 66". Thanks.

 

[toolmanmike]

Good morning Mike.
What size rims and tires are you running? I like the look of this 66". Thanks.

The front wheels are skinny 15x4 1/2, the rears are 15x7. Front tires are 165 80 15 and the rears are 235 70 15.

 

[66'GTRob]

Do you happen to know the offset on the wheels and do they rub the outer wheel well?
I am looking at these with the 27mm offset.

 

[toolmanmike]

Do you happen to know the offset on the wheels and do they rub the outer wheel well?
I am looking at these with the 27mm offset.

View attachment 1716325235

The tires are tall and I do get a little rubbing occasionally. I think it is tread and not sidewall though. The wheels have a 4" backspace as far as I know. I bought them used from a member here and they came off a 65 Dart so I just brought them home and bolted them on.

 

[66'GTRob]

The tires are tall and I do get a little rubbing occasionally. I think it is tread and not sidewall though. The wheels have a 4" backspace as far as I know. I bought them used from a member here and they came off a 65 Dart so I just brought them home and bolted them on.

They look good.
My current ones will rub the sidewalls a little with a full tank and a couple of grand kids in the back seat.
Thank you for your help and have a good weekend.

 

[Spadman]

Do you happen to know the offset on the wheels and do they rub the outer wheel well?
I am looking at these with the 27mm offset.

View attachment 1716325235

I had some slot mags on my car from back in the day that worked with some pretty wide bias ply tires; don’t remember the specs. When I went to radial T/A s I had to change wheels. I found 4 1/4 to 4 1/2 backset centers the wheels in my 1970 dart.

 

[toolmanmike]

I had some slot mags on my car from back in the day that worked with some pretty wide bias ply tires; don’t remember the specs. When I went to radial T/A s I had to change wheels. I found 4 1/4 to 4 1/2 backset centers the wheels in my 1970 dart.

Yep! 15x7's. I wouldn't try 8" wide. Too close with out trimming.

 

[Spadman]

I’m with the OP, I want to lift mine just a bit. I’ve used both shackles and air shocks back and in the day. Plan to do spring modifications this time around.

 

[nckennyb]

I know I'll need new plates and U bolts.

You can use the original plates if you have a torch or plasma cutter or I guess you could modify them with a burr but would take longer. I modified a set for my wife's 64 when I put a Dana 60 in it and it works fine.

 

[Brooks James]

Throw a set of $80.00 air shocks on it until you do the upgrade properly. 40 psi and off you go. 2 cents.

IIRC, A body air shocks need an extension piece, others have used Imperial shocks which fit nicely

 

[A56]

IIRC, A body air shocks need an extension piece, others have used Imperial shocks which fit nicely

no, not true, an extension piece is not necessary.