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68 GTX hemi leaf spring restoration

doberjoe

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I am restoring my 1968 Hemi GTX rear end and leaf springs. The car has been sitting since the 80's on the same springs--are they sprung? Do I need a new set? How do I tell? The car was drag raced in the 70's. I see that places like Summit offer new springs (extra leaf on one side) per original, but I'm not sure how they look compared to the original.

I'm trying for an original look, I'm not too concerned about original or NOS parts.

Any experience or recommendations here?

Thanks!
 
If you replace i would suggest Eaton Springs. Made in America by an OEM supplier, they are the manufacurer and can supply all hardware needed. Plus you can use drop down to choose stock height or +/- 1",2",3".
I bought a set for my 67 Belvedere in stock + 2" height and they were very nicely made...


http://www.eatondetroitspring.com/ordering/parts-lookup/
 
This is a very coincidental question.. In 2008 I restored a 1968 Hemi GTX that had also been sitting since the early 1980s. I recommended replacing them at the time but the owner said to reuse the originals. I reused the original leafs with no issues to this day. The car had 55K for miles, J code 426 X 2 4BBL, Dana 4-speed.
 
Thanks for the replies. I think the originals are serviceable, but I have a the car in a buddy's shop and I'm 3000 miles away for the next while...he's volunteered to put the new springs in (he's anxious for the floor space), I'm thinking about just buying the OEM springs from Summit or Jeg's (P4452982, P4452983 -- are these real mopar parts?), but hang onto the originals until I know for sure my end game. I'm a bit rushed, I guess it doesn't have to be permanent.

Malex, if you have any pics of the restoration (how it sits) that would be sweet, if your customer doesn't mind that is.
 
The mopar performance ones I have seen were made in Mexico.
 
you should defiantly replace them and send the old ones to me.. seriously if there not sagging, run them. thats whats on my RR

dana60_zps10c7014c.jpg
 
You'll see some of the parts to the rebuild kit, the new U-bolts, bushings and rear shackles.. I just cleaned up the individual leafs by hand with a wire brush, didn't want to put them through a blaster. I treated them with a clear metal conditioner for corrosion control. Ignore the U-bolts in the pictures, those were the MP products at the time and were too long. I eventually bough proper ones from Roger Gibson. But, think Jaime below has the proper ones too.

I found the rebuild kits online ( ebay I believe ). But, Jaime at http://www.megapartsusa.com/ has everything you may need ( wish I would have known about him then ). Do a search on "leaf spring" and you'll get all sorts of parts, including the proper looking shackles.

My research showed that in '68, the leaf springs were natural. They were painted black until '69. My former '68 Hemi Charger R/T was an unrestored car and the springs showed no signs of black paint. here's a little of what I did.

100_8101.JPG100_8194.JPG100_8196.JPG100_8199.JPG100_8200.JPG100_8231.JPG100_8234.JPG
 
I would avoid the Mopar Performance springs as I have them in my charger and after a couple of years (maybe 3) the sagged big time and the arch now looks like a soft "w". If your's are still good, I would just but new bushings and straps on them and call it a day!
 
I would avoid the Mopar Performance springs as I have them in my charger and after a couple of years (maybe 3) the sagged big time and the arch now looks like a soft "w". If your's are still good, I would just but new bushings and straps on them and call it a day!

I agree. Plus the sense of personal accomplishment is nice....
 
I am restoring my 1968 Hemi GTX rear end and leaf springs. The car has been sitting since the 80's on the same springs--are they sprung? Do I need a new set? How do I tell? The car was drag raced in the 70's. I see that places like Summit offer new springs (extra leaf on one side) per original, but I'm not sure how they look compared to the original.

I'm trying for an original look, I'm not too concerned about original or NOS parts.

Any experience or recommendations here?

Thanks!



I ordered my springs through St Louis Spring Co.
http://www.saintlouisspring.com/
American made and you can order them the way you want them. I think I paid about $330 shipped.
 
image.jpgimage.jpg As requested. The car has been lowered for this pic with spacer blocks and the front bracket. The leafs are original though and not sagged out. I recall that I did install new bushings in the front though. The lowered look is to go with the 18's & 20's.

image.jpg
 
Nice pics..JJ1 gold looks like, same as mine. Thanks for posting.

- - - Updated - - -

great photos, thanks. Your results look awesome. What's the Coors Light for, sort of a solvent used in the restoration process eh?
 
Nice pics..JJ1 gold looks like, same as mine. Thanks for posting.

- - - Updated - - -

great photos, thanks. Your results look awesome. What's the Coors Light for, sort of a solvent used in the restoration process eh?

It's been about 7 years but I think the code is AA1 Sir. Coors comments - what's that about. Just trying to help with your leaf spring question. Good luck.
 
Troy, Those pic help. Was there a difference between the driver and passenger side as shown? My 383 RR did not come with a Dana originally, but has one now with the same set up as yours. Were there less springs with non hemi or Dana set ups? G
 
G,
Yes, the leaf springs on a 383-equipped car versus 426 Hemi are different. There was a difference from left to right on the XHD leaf springs on 440 and 426 Hemi equipped cars. Is your Dana perched on 383 HD leaf springs or 440/426 XHD springs?
 
Pretty sure the standard springs would have been 5 springs each and the hemi would have had 6 on one side and 7 on the other. This included the half springs.
 
Troy, Those pic help. Was there a difference between the driver and passenger side as shown? My 383 RR did not come with a Dana originally, but has one now with the same set up as yours. Were there less springs with non hemi or Dana set ups? G

Looking at my photos and my Daytona in the garage......,

driver's side:6 full leafs
passe's side:5 full w/ 2 halves
 
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