The Dodge Challenger Message Board

My 73 Rallye's 37 year old springs are getting a bit tired and even a little weight in the car (eg a full tank of fuel or a fat person in the back) causes the arse-end to really sink. It also easily scrapes when driving over undulations or rough patches. So instead of paying $400+ to get a new leaf and the springs reset, this is what i did -total cost of about $30 and lots of my time. The guys at Firm Feel said it was a good plan.

Its all in the following pictures.

The standard leaf pack on a Chal is 4 1/2 leaves. I've been told they are generally undersprung - Chrysler opted for ride comfort rather than firmness -i'm sure they also didn't expect their cars to be driving after 37 years...

So i have added a second mainspring to the RHS to make 5 1/2 leaves and as per 6pack/Hemi 440HD, i have replaced the half leaf with a full leaf on the LHS to make 6 leaves.

This is my last post, so i have hopefully made it a reasonably interesting and helpful one for those Chal owners on a tight budget, like me !

Regards
Steve

Step5 -it took many clamps and 2 jacks to get everything lined up. I also had to go and get some bigger straps as the old ones were fatigued after bending and just not plain long enough to go around the extra pack thickness

interesting idea cutting the longer spring, i did the same thing only i used a short spring, it seemed to help but ,since then i have installed a new set of springs and have been pretty happy with the results,i know what you are doing is on a budget so i am anxious to see your results,looks like it will work well, let us know how it handles, im sure you will be out soon as its is SUMMER over there