Suggestions to raise rear by 1" or 2"

[moparcanuck]

I'd like to raise the rear of my GTX by an inch or two. I want to do it right. No shackles. :icon_profileright:

Can you re-arch old leaf springs? Add a leaf?

 

[Dako]

A spring shop can re-arch the springs. The hard part is usually finding a spring shop. They are not on every corner.

 

[Photon440]

There are several spring shops to chose from in the Vancouver suburbs, I thought most places would be similar. Checking a 4X4 or offroad forum would likely find some answers, those guys are always looking for lift.

Or you could add coil spring helper shocks and get a bit.

But why? Are your springs sagging below the original height? Are you just looking for some rake? Just wonderin'...

-=Photon440=-

 

[moparcanuck]

There is a shop in Ottawa that can re-arch springs. The springs aren't sagging. I just want to add a bit of a rake to it.

 

[D575]

Got an anvil ? I worked at a frame shop back in the 70's, we would rearc springs. take out the leaf spring remove the center bolt. lay them on the ground trace the arc with chalk or crayon. mark the amount of lift you want at the ends. get a BFH and start beating around the length until the spring matches the measurement you layed out. put them back together. I know it sounds barbaric, But that's how we did it.

 

[moparcanuck]

Also had a suggestion of putting on a pair of Gabriel Hijackers. Anyone have experience with them?

 

[D575]

Also had a suggestion of putting on a pair of Gabriel Hijackers. Anyone have experience with them?

They still make them ? I had some on my Demon in 1974.

 

[Photon440]

I had air shocks on my roadrunner when I bought it. I had no issues with them, the car actually handled quite well. If I happened to have the trunk full of heavy stuff I could add air and bring it back up to level. Plus it's easy to undo if you wish to go back to the stock height.

 

[Meep-Meep]

Yep, you can re-arch the springs and that would be the best bet.

 

[MoparMitch]

Yep, you can re-arch the springs and that would be the best bet.

Please re-arch your springs. The upper shock mounts on these cars are not really designed for the stress of air shocks. I think I paid $80 to re_arch mine at a local HD truck shop.

 

[rumblefish360]

Air shocks are not a problem to run but they should be used as a leveling device rather than to add rake or clearance to tires. A little rise is OK. The 1 inch spec is fine. I ran a set of the Hi-Jackers for 20 years on my '73 Cuda without ill effect.

The upper shock mounting cross brace can handle it. But I do not think this is what your really after. IMO, there are 2 ways to get it done and that would be re-arc or purchase a set of new 1 in h over bend springs. I got a set from ESPO.com and was very pleased with the results on my Duster. New springs is the way to go IMO.
Ma MoPar also has a set of these like springs for sale under XHD springs in there suspension section.

 

[terzmo]

cal trac makes a one inch over stock height mono spring...

 

[moparcanuck]

So I'd just have to buy the main leaf? Or the whole spring?

 

[terzmo]

entire mono spring..about 379.00..but...I was asking on this forum if anyone used the 1" over mono on a 66 or 67 B body and what the measurement was from ground to top of rear wheel well and no one answered...I wanted that info to see if the 1" over would meet my requirements

So I'd just have to buy the main leaf? Or the whole spring?

 

[Dako]

Also had a suggestion of putting on a pair of Gabriel Hijackers. Anyone have experience with them?

Put them on mine when I restored it. If you stay between the 25psi minimum & 50psi, the ride quality is not effected and it will get you the 1-2 inches you are after. A lot less work than springs and easy to make adjustments if you are not happy.

 

[Basket case]

when i got my car, it only had four leaves on each side, and sat low in the rear like a Challenger does.a buddy had a used set of springs laying around. we cut the eyes off the main leaf, and added one to each side of my road runner, plus an extra partiall. gave it a nice rake.

 

[69a100]

Seems how nobody else has brought this up, I will. Are your current springs like really old and worn out? How does the car sit right now, level, lower in the back, what? Regardless of weather or not you get new springs, you should get a new alingment when your done as this will change your specs. Why don't you save some $$ and just take a screw or 2 out of your torsion bars to lower the front end and save the hassle of installing new springs unless they are shot, if so then this reply becomes moot. Good Luck

 

[terzmo]

Seems how nobody else has brought this up, I will. Are your current springs like really old and worn out? How does the car sit right now, level, lower in the back, what? Regardless of weather or not you get new springs, you should get a new alingment when your done as this will change your specs. Why don't you save some $$ and just take a screw or 2 out of your torsion bars to lower the front end and save the hassle of installing new springs unless they are shot, then this reply becomes moot. Good Luck

and if you move the torsion bars......you need an alignment...and now the entire car is sitting low

 

[Jonnyuma]

As long as the upper shock mount is in good shape air shocks won't hurt anything. The car is only riding on air for the first inch or two of suspension travel, then the springs take over. And yes, they still make Gabriel Hijackers, but they don't include the funny rabbit stickers anymore....like, bummer dude.
Getting your leaves re-arched is probably the best way to do it, or you could do both. Use the air shocks ( only about 80 bux/pr) to figure out exactly where you want it, then have the springs made or bent accordingly.

 

[Basket case]

I have run air shocks of B Bodies for 30 years, and never had any problem wiith the crossmember, just don't max the shocks out, and they are fine.