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Rear Leaf Springs

FrnkNsteen

FrnkNsteen

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Can anyone give me some suggestions on rear leaf springs, or tell me what they are running. My car is a '69 Charger, 440 4spd. Suspension is all being replaced up front with 1" Firm Feel torsion bars. Shocks will be Bilstein RCD front and rear. Rear leafs are original and I'm thinking it is time to replace them while we are doing everything else.

I'm not planning to lower the car or anything. I'm looking for a pretty stock ride height with plans for 225/60-15 up front and 255/60-15 on rear on Magnum 500 wheel.

I've heard good things about Espo Spring and Eaton Springs, but have no idea what I need when they start talking about spring rates. Thought from you guys would be greatly appreciated. Car will be a cruiser with the occasional throttle drop and spirited driving.

Thanks!
 
I think you want "stock" springs (for a 440 4spd, which are biased) based on what you describe. ESPO and Eaton have good reviews...and there's one more I can't think of? I "think" your springs are the XHD (extra heavy duty) stock.

The upgrade would be super stock springs which ride a little stiffer & require special front spring hangers.
 
Eaton stock springs for factory HD suspension......
 
I vote super stock springs ... can't remember if I'm running 2 003's or 2 004's on my coronet.... ride quality is great when paired with a decent shock, stance is perfect ( at least to me ) ... I run S/S on everything though
 
FrnkNsteen said:
Thanks Justin. You prefer the Eaton over ESPO? Price is nearly double, but if it is worth it, it's worth it!
Click to expand...
I am sure people will have other opinions on why to use espo.....I have used both.....I am more impressed with Eaton as I believe is a true American made spring. The GTX also didn’t have the right side lift on the rear as the espo springs notoriously have with the same number of leaves.....

I can rate the two versus others that go with the cheaper option but never owned the other choice.....
 
Hi i have used hotchkis leaf but they Was saging and to soft after a year use. I have now a set from calvert monoleaf 1" lower and track bars. But if you like IT stock but very good i Will vote for Eaton. I had those om a 1968 gtx w/bilstein and IT Was super.
 
I had to replace my originals on my 68 charger as they were sagging & the po installed air shocks to compensate the negative arch.

Justin suggested Eaton and they are awesome. No need to think any further, Eaton is the way to go.
 
moparnation74 said:
I am sure people will have other opinions on why to use espo.....I have used both.....I am more impressed with Eaton as I believe is a true American made spring. The GTX also didn’t have the right side lift on the rear as the espo springs notoriously have with the same number of leaves.....
Click to expand...

I thought all HD suspensions with more leafs on the one side had a slight height raise on that side?
 
I just had the rear leafs re-arched and added a leaf on my 73 charger. Added 2 inches to the car which was too low to begin with.
I checked with Espo and they were 310 to $400 and I had to do the work. For $400 at Allied spring they did all the work. Yhey also adjusted the torsion bars to compensate.
Also over the years in many cases I found having original parts restored is usually the best way to go. Just my 2 cents.
IMG_20191007_224231.jpg
IMG_20191008_165444.jpg
 
Last edited:
67 GTX said:
I thought all HD suspensions with more leafs on the one side had a slight height raise on that side?
Click to expand...
....The Eaton’s on my X with the correct leaves for the HD suspension has the rear level....on my charger with the Espo’s with the same number and HD suspension is raised on the right a lot as your referring to......that’s why I dont use espo.....people fall in love with the price but IMHO you receive a lesser quality spring.....

Originally, it wasn’t noticeable but my charger it’s hideous.....
 
moparnation74 said:
....The Eaton’s on my X with the correct leaves for the HD suspension has the rear level....on my charger with the Espo’s with the same number and HD suspension is raised on the right a lot as your referring to......that’s why I dont use espo.....people fall in love with the price but IMHO you receive a lesser quality spring.....

Originally, it wasn’t noticeable but my charger it’s hideous.....
Click to expand...

Sorry, just to be clear. You're saying that it is correct to have an extra leaf on the passenger side, but the rear should still be level? The espo springs have the same number of leafs on both sides, but the right is raised?
 
67 GTX said:
Sorry, just to be clear. You're saying that it is correct to have an extra leaf on the passenger side, but the rear should still be level? The espo springs have the same number of leafs on both sides, but the right is raised?
Click to expand...
To be clear 6 DS 7 ps for the Hf suspension......Eaton springs sit the car level...at the time I put Espos on my charger the difference was and inch, no kidding...which questions the arch as well...originally, the height differences was minimal at best.....

You get what you pay for and everyone loves Espo because of price and you also get Chinese steel.....The picky ones like me that want quality and correctness choose what is best...
 
moparnation74 said:
To be clear 6 DS 7 ps for the Hf suspension......Eaton springs sit the car level...at the time I put Espos on my charger the difference was and inch, no kidding...which questions the arch as well...originally, the height differences was minimal at best.....

You get what you pay for and everyone loves Espo because of price and you also get Chinese steel.....The picky ones like me that want quality and correctness choose what is best...
Click to expand...

Thank you for clarifying. I always thought that correct was to have the PS sitting higher. I guess Eaton is the only one that has the Ps sitting higher with the correct number of leaf springs.
 
67 GTX said:
Thank you for clarifying. I always thought that correct was to have the PS sitting higher. I guess Eaton is the only one that has the Ps sitting higher with the correct number of leaf springs.
Click to expand...
You read my post right?
 
I too am looking for new springs and noticed that Rock Auto has Dayton leaf springs for $266...... anyone ever used them or have feeeback on them? I put a set of Daytons on my F350 and was happy with them. I am pretty sure they are US made as well.
 
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