Rear spring replacements

[dodj]

That what I used on that car. I put Mopar performance springs on my 71 and it sits real low. I prefer the higher look.

I'm pretty sure the MP springs put you at stock height, which for many is sitting too low. Factory ride height had part of the rear tire on a Challenger tucked up in the wheel well.
This is my car, it has had the MP springs in it since '88, has 'Made in Canada' on the springs, not 'Made in Mexico". Springs are perfectly flat which I'm told is what you are aiming for from a handling perspective. Ride height hasn't changed appreciably after the first year.
Just FYI MrBill. If you prefer the higher look as Rich does...DO NOT get MP springs. If you are interested in better handling, DO NOT get "+" springs.

[Banana]

Good thread: More questions I have:

- Pretty sure I have my original leaf springs (1970 Challenger w/Dana). Although the car is not sagging in the back, can I assume that the springs are somewhat degraded after 50 years, and I should replace them anyway? Or 50 year old springs can hold up to their original spring rate and performance?

- I think the factory finish on leaf springs was bare steel (please confirm)? If bare steel, are you guys going with it? Or painting clear? Or going with black?

Thanks for the feedback

[Rich G.]

I did keep the MP springs on my 71. It does handle great and ride nice but it does sit low.

[Mrbill426]

Mine are the original '72 springs and look pretty good and appear to have been bare metal when new however I have seen and heard that some were painted black from the factory too.  Since they are almost 50 years old while the car is in pieces I am replacing them with new ones.

Good thread: More questions I have:

- Pretty sure I have my original leaf springs (1970 Challenger w/Dana). Although the car is not sagging in the back, can I assume that the springs are somewhat degraded after 50 years, and I should replace them anyway? Or 50 year old springs can hold up to their original spring rate and performance?

- I think the factory finish on leaf springs was bare steel (please confirm)? If bare steel, are you guys going with it? Or painting clear? Or going with black?

Thanks for the feedback

[Mrbill426]

Thanks dodj I am going with ESPO; already in process and they say about 3 weeks to me.
Not looking for a extra rake.

That what I used on that car. I put Mopar performance springs on my 71 and it sits real low. I prefer the higher look.

I'm pretty sure the MP springs put you at stock height, which for many is sitting too low. Factory ride height had part of the rear tire on a Challenger tucked up in the wheel well.
This is my car, it has had the MP springs in it since '88, has 'Made in Canada' on the springs, not 'Made in Mexico". Springs are perfectly flat which I'm told is what you are aiming for from a handling perspective. Ride height hasn't changed appreciably after the first year.
Just FYI MrBill. If you prefer the higher look as Rich does...DO NOT get MP springs. If you are interested in better handling, DO NOT get "+" springs.

[kawahonda]

I've been putting this off personally...I think changing springs should be done when you are absolutely and positively sure of your final tire/wheel combination that will remain throughout the rest of time! You'd be sorely upset to estimate a good height with 225 tires, then throw on 275 tires a year down the road.

Opinions vary on looks, but I don't think a challenger looks good raked due to the center body-line element. That horizontal line looks best when it's flat. If you look at the body line, it already has a "raked" profile built in. As soon as you rake the rear end, now the front-to-mid line doesn't look flat anymore, the rear section of the line gets angled. This makes the car look stubby. For me, it completely ruins the visual flow of the car.

Cudas from a design perspective seem to get away with more rake or larger tires since the center line is more faint and it runs through the entire length of the car at the same height.

Spend 40 hours like I have looking at wheel/tire and spring heights on the internet. Like others have been saying, you can lower it with the plates if it's too much, but it's really best to start with exactly what you want to begin with.

I agree with the general notion (unless your springs are sagged out like crazy) to use tires and torsion bars (within reason) to create the look you want.

My personal take is +.5" is the maximum I would ever do on a a challenger...much of that has been influenced by the tire/wheel size as well.

My challenger has helper springs on probably worn-out springs, and I find my height is perfect right now with 235 tires, so I never cared to fuss with it. Problem is, I don't have an accurate baseline, so I don't really have a clue on where to start. I will say that I have seen PLENTY of "+1" pictures of challengers on the internet and most if not all look too raked for me. Obviously people that grew up int he 60s/70s think differently, but I stand by my opinion as a designer regarding the center body-line section.

Separate but a related topic: I also don't think 275s look good on a Challengers, either. Maybe I've seen 1 out of 500 pictures where I thought it might look good, but that was only one angle. Again, it gets back to destroying the body line element which is what sets these cars apart from the rest.

[drew43a]

Can someone tell me the stock height on a 70 Cuda? and where to measure to to check the number. I am having new shocks installed soon KYB gas adjust. Removing the old air shocks.

thanks for any help.

[Chryco Psycho]

My experience with MP springs do not sit as high as Dodj Challenger , more like Rich's Cuda where the wheel lip is just above the rim height & every set I ordered had Mexico on them
I would definately Not use KYB shocks @drew43a , they seem to be the harshest riding shock I have ever used , anything is better .  FYI

[drew43a]

ok i decided to return them.  have you got any recomendation as to what to use?

[dodj]

For non adjustable, I hear the bilstein rcd Is a pretty good shock.

[Chryco Psycho]

Bilstein , QA1 , even Gabriel & Monroe ride better Rock Auto has Monroe for under $20 each if you just want basic shocks

[drew43a]

ok i am looking at some QA1 shocks  that come with a much higher price tag then common Monros.  Is there a noticeable difference?

[dodj]

ok i am looking at some QA1 shocks  that come with a much higher price tag then common Monros.  Is there a noticeable difference?

Yes

[dodj]

My experience with MP springs do not sit as high as Dodj Challenger

I have my front end lowered quite a bit. So much I had to remove the stock lca bumpers from my car and put in Energy susp bumpers, otherwise I was within an 1/8" of riding on the bumpers. So my rear is not so high as you might think.   

[Rosco234]

Here is my car with the espo +1 springs. My car sat un even in the rear with the old worn out springs. I figured new springs would solve that. It still sit uneven by about 1/2 an inch.


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