Rear end ride height

by **Gordon** » 21 May 2009 17:27

I just put new stock "HD" leaf springs and quality gas shocks on my R/T and I think it sits too low in the rear. Aside from removing these springs, is there a way to get the rear to sit an inch or so higher without resorting to air shocks? Although I don't like the looks of the old-school extended shackles, would that indeed provide me with a slightly higher stance?

by **Goldenblack440** » 21 May 2009 19:04

Does the car squat down in the rear? Maybe they made the springs incorrectly? My 73 has Rallye suspension - the extra leaf, and the car sits very low in the rear. I like the look although i had to lower the front to get it even. My 71 Chal has standard springs and the car sits a full 1" higher all round. I'm no expert on this, but You might have to use a block in the springs and the longer shackles. Bit of a pain though. If you measure the height from top of the wheel arch to the ground (say, half a tank of fuel), let me know and i will measure mine and compare.

PS, i also have good shocks, not gas, but they are new Koni's. I would not recommend using air shocks (unless you are towing a caravan or boat...?!)

by **burdar** » 21 May 2009 19:51

I'm not sure what you mean by a "block" but the rear sits ontop of the springs. A block between the axle and the spring would lower the car.

Installing shackles would raise the rear but they look tacky. I know some spring companies sell new springs that give you a higher ride height than stock. That doesn't help you since yours are brand new.

One thing you can do is take one leaf out of your old springs and install it in your new ones. That will raise the rear also. I had that done to my 73 when it was taken out of storage. The stock springs were very tired so an extra leave was installed in each side.

You could always try and sell your new springs and buy a pair of +2's.

by **Gordon** » 22 May 2009 0:57

Yeah, I agree that the extended shackles look tacky, but if I used the next lowest hole (Just to gain an inch or so) and then cut off the remaining part of the shackle and fog what is left in chassis-black paint, I bet it would be next to invisible.

The rear quarter panel opening is just below the top of the tire (so the top one inch of the tire is hidden). It doesn't look "bad", it is just that I would prefer it to be a tad higher.

by **Goldenblack440** » 22 May 2009 3:15

YEs, sorry, was getting mixed up - a block will lower the height. I wasn't sure what you meant by shackles, but i think i know now.

by **dave-r** » 22 May 2009 7:46

Stock height was quite low.

Without pictures we can't tell if your springs are doing what they are supposed to do or not. If the car sits lower than stock the springs could be badly made.

You didn't buy Mopar Performance springs did you? They are often poor quality made using cheap steel and cheap labor.

Dont use air shocks to raise the rear. The top shock mount is not intended for high loads.

If the spring rate is OK and they are just lacking in camber (how curved they are) then just take them to a spring repair shop and they can re-temper them with more camber to give more height.

by **Gordon** » 22 May 2009 12:19

I got the springs from PST (Performance Suspension Technology), a well-known suspension company. They were advertised as "Hemi" springs, with an extra leaf on the right side. The car rides nice, and actually handles pretty decent, it just sits too damn low! When I look at factory pictures of R/T cars from back in the day, they all sit kinda low in the rear, so I am pretty sure that my springs are doing what they are supposed to do, it is just that I want my rear to sit a little higher. It is just personal preference. If I wanted a "G-Machine" I would have built one! haha

Before I go to the hassle of pulling these springs, does anyone think that I can "crutch" my ride height with aftermarket extended shackles?

by **dave-r** » 22 May 2009 13:05

I really really wouldn't use longer rear shackles. They will have a terrible effect on handling.

If you want more height just take them to a spring repairers (look in yellow pages) and they can put a bit more bend in them for you. It shouldn't cost too much either. :wink:

by **burdar** » 22 May 2009 14:08

I wouldn't use shackles either but it's your car. You can pick up cheap shackles at a parts store for like $20. Try em. You can always take them off.

Just so you know. Just because a shackle maybe 2" longer (from center of the top hole to the center of one of the lower holes) than stock...that doesn't mean it going to raise the car that much. You might see half the rise if your lucky.

Post some pictures if you can. I'll have to get new springs for mine and I'd like to know if I'll have to get the 2" raised springs. Let others learn from your mistake. :mrgreen:

by **Gordon** » 22 May 2009 18:38

OK, I will post pix when I can. Thanks for the assistance guys!

by **Jon** » 23 May 2009 2:21

I'd suggest getting the springs re-arched also. I had my stockers done at a great shop, way out in Bakersfield (2-1/2 hour drive (x2)). It was worth it though as they set the height exactly where I wanted it.

As for the shackle option, some times they conflict with the rear valence. I messed with that scene once and ended up having the leaf catch on the leading edge and folding the valence back.

by **fbernard** » 23 May 2009 9:39

Last time I used HD Springs from Mopar Performance, they lasted 100km (that's 60 miles) before sagging almost a full inch.
I had them taken apart, one full-length leaf added, rearched and thermally treated.
That lasted for a 2000 miles road rally. After that, it was back down.

Springs'n'Things seems to have a better reputation.
Eaton too.

On the other hand, from what you say (only the top inch of the tire is hidden), it doesn't sound bad, unless you want some rake (80's fan??).

Longer shacles : check to see if you will have problems with the rear valance panel or the exhaust.

When your car is on the ground, check the arch of the springs.
Correctly arched or almost flat : they're still good.
Inverted arch : they're shot.

The height of the car, measured from the center of the wheel arches, should be around 25" all around, maybe slightly more at the rear.

by **Jon** » 23 May 2009 13:32

Mine is set at 26-1/4" with 255/60/15.

Front is at 25-1/2" with 235/60's

by **fbernard** » 23 May 2009 14:58

Jon wrote:Mine is set at 26-1/4" with 255/60/15.

Front is at 25-1/2" with 235/60's

That's exactly what I have on the front.
I'm lower than you at the rear, but my setup is tunable (coilovers), so I set it up that way.

A friend of mine with a hemicuda (and 39-year-old leafs) is square, 25.5 all around.

by **1970FC7RT** » 13 Jul 2009 17:45

Try jacking up the car by the rear bumper and let it sit there for a few days. Make sure your bumper and brackets are tight and sound.

by **drewcrane** » 13 Jul 2009 17:51

i am currently installing new rear springs and i will post the ride height as well as what i end up with,
my is sagging with 39 year old springs also, longer shackles wont work any way because of the valance is in the way
,air shocks are not what i would put on either,
like dave said you can have the springs re-arched to bring the ass up :nod:

by **drewcrane** » 14 Jul 2009 11:42

ok yesterday i installed mopar performance springs and they seem identical to the origonals but before i did that i measured the wheel opening and found something interesting my car ,it was 23 3/4 on pass. side and 23 1/2 on driverside with a 24 inch wheel and tire,now i laid the springs on top of one another and found the pass. spring had a little less arch than the driverside for some reason the car was tilted toward the driver side,

now with the new springs the car sits right at 23 3/4 on both sides from the wheel opening to the ground is where i made my measurement,

i will drive the car today and let you know how it feels, but so far that is what i wanted , i did not want to raise the vehicle and glad it did not :lol2:

by **burdar** » 14 Jul 2009 13:27

The right side springs take more of a beating than the left. Engine torque lifts the left front and compresses the right rear when you take off. I believe HEMI cars had an extra leaf in the right rear because of this. It is not surprising that the right side was a little lower than the left.

by **drewcrane** » 14 Jul 2009 17:37

burdar wrote:The right side springs take more of a beating than the left. Engine torque lifts the left front and compresses the right rear when you take off. I believe HEMI cars had an extra leaf in the right rear because of this. It is not surprising that the right side was a little lower than the left.

actually i may have mistated that the right(passenger) side was 1/4 inch higher than the driver side ,that being said i just drove it with the new springs and it is soooo much better, it made a big difference i also installed heavy duty shackles, mush less flex and i can tell the difference :thumbsup:

by **burdar** » 14 Jul 2009 18:03

What are you running for a shock?

by **drewcrane** » 14 Jul 2009 19:33

burdar wrote:What are you running for a shock?

qa 1 adjustable excellent shock btw here is 2 pix one showing the difference in shackles, and another with a new spring, and the old one to show how different the arch is,also the shackle on the left is stock and the one on the right is new ,just one side, it comes with a sleeve in side the bushing and bolts up much more solid than stock you can tell the difference in the leaf spring pic ,the bushing is much wider,so far i like this unit :thumbsup:

by **Gordon** » 05 Feb 2010 14:49

I got my springs re-arched at a truck-repair facility. They put 3" of "lift" back into the spring. Once installed, they gained about 1 1/2 inches of lift - perfect! thanks, guys!

Re: Rear end ride height