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Who Has Added a Leaf to the Rear Leaf Springs?

Dibbons

Dibbons

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How does one add a leaf? All the leaves are a different length, starting out long and become shorter and shorter. So if I "add-a-leaf" how long should it be and in what position does it belong? Thank you.
 
I did my jeeps leaf springs. Held the leaf pack together with c- clamps, removed the factory spring clamps. Install new leaf just under the top leaf (mine was a full length add a leaf), replace all spring clamps. Very easy task. I know some add a leafs are short and are supposed to go at the very bottom of the pack. Guess it all depends on which add a leaf you have.
 
I used one of the 'Add-a-leaf' in each rear spring. I don't recall exactly which one, but I can easily look it up again. I just positioned the new leaf in between two leafs (one longer, one shorter) I biased the new leaf towards the front, and drilled a new hole to accommodate the axle centering pin. It worked out great that way.
 
I did it on my challenger from an old set.As 65-440 said. Still was not happy and bought a set from espo.Are you trying on get the back end up?
 
Yes, I need to raise the rear a little '72 SSP (on road trips it's pretty loaded, too).
 
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One leaf inserted each side. Truck leaf from Summit Inexpensive. About 1” lift.
C73C0A3F-123F-42C3-B332-97AD372E06F0.jpeg
 
If the ride is good, wouldn't it be easier to install shackles for extra rear lift ?
 
I had both sides of original leafs re-curved, then added 1 leaf each side, I think its second leaf down...but I wanted 2" of lift....
20181127_130155.jpg
 
Why not ? If the ride is good and you just want some body lift, why not use shackles. When you add a leaf you are stiffening the rear ride.
I am just asking...
 
I recently a second leaf to my 65 Coronet and it popped right up! I had a set of 65 Belvedere springs so I robbed the #2 leaves and added them to the Coronet spring packs. I had to use longer center bolts and I replaced all the antifriction pads and clamp clips with new aftermarket parts. Here's a good source for parts:

https://www.ebay.com/str/beattiespring
Mike
 
I have done this many times. To get a bit more lift the second or third leave will give best results. 3/4" more in front, 1" more in back will give lift. the ride may a stiffer. A good spring shop will make you spring you want.
 
Skytrooper said:
Why not ? If the ride is good and you just want some body lift, why not use shackles.
Click to expand...

The trouble with longer shackles is that if you add 2 inch longer shackles, you will get less than half that in lift, 3/4" - 1". So you will need at least 4 inch longer shackles to get about 1 1/2 inch of lift. This pushes the rear leaf mount farther from the frame and introduces more side to side spring movement which ruins handling (and it doesn't look good with the springs hanging down.)
 
I changed my springs out with the Mopar performace leaf springs. I thought about adding a leaf but this just seemed easier. Definitely firmer feel than the stock springs.
 
The add a leaf did not hurt ride quality. With Bilsteins and radials, ride is great and comfortable.
 
I have Mopar SS 3300# springs that I bought for project car. Didn't do the project. Put them on my Satellite, not great results. Added a leaf on each side, lifted the car more than I wish. I think they will work performance wise. May de-arc a touch. I worked with springs for a while before I got the package that worked good on that car. You may to take a few tries to find just what you want.
 
Skytrooper said:
If the ride is good, wouldn't it be easier to install shackles for extra rear lift ?
Click to expand...
I would use air shocks with a separate line kit before using longer shackles just because of what Matt said but I've never liked how extended shackles make a car act. Depending on the brand of shock, 15 lbs will usually raise it an inch and that's not nearly enough to bother the upper shock mount so long as you're not loading 6-700 lbs into the trunk like I used to do :D .

66Satellite47 said:
I have Mopar SS 3300# springs that I bought for project car. Didn't do the project. Put them on my Satellite, not great results. Added a leaf on each side, lifted the car more than I wish. I think they will work performance wise. May de-arc a touch. I worked with springs for a while before I got the package that worked good on that car. You may to take a few tries to find just what you want.
Click to expand...
SS springs usually have more arch to them. A buddy installed 3300 springs on a 72 Demon and I pulled 2 leafs from each side and it didn't do much.....but the car was just under 3000 lbs.
 
I have air shocks now as an interim measure. The top of the "T" in the foto is the line where the shocks sit before they are pumped up.

DSC00876.JPG
 
Badvert65 said:
The trouble with longer shackles is that if you add 2 inch longer shackles, you will get less than half that in lift, 3/4" - 1". So you will need at least 4 inch longer shackles to get about 1 1/2 inch of lift. This pushes the rear leaf mount farther from the frame and introduces more side to side spring movement which ruins handling (and it doesn't look good with the springs hanging down.)
Click to expand...

I would guess with elliptical springs like Mopar, long shackles will play havoc with your driveline angles and possibly result in some vibration - unless wedges are used to restore the proper u-joint angles.
 
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