Leaf spring/shock suggestion

[j69302]

I have a 69 Coupe with KYB Gas-a-just shocks all the way around and as far as I now the original springs all the way around. I recently noticed that the clips that hold the 4 leafs together have loosened up and are not holding the leafs together.

I want to keep the same kind of ride, and also keep the ride height where it is right now. To the best of my knowledge the leaf springs could very well be the original springs, however they are not weak and do not sag noticeably. Im sure they might be drooping just a tiny little bit because of the age alone.

Would a standard eye 4leaf raise the car some? I'm thinking it probably would.

Would a mid-eye 4leaf spring keep the ride height pretty close to where it is now? Or do you think it might still lower it a tad.

I also have some pretty bad wheel hop. Right now I have an open 8 inch with a 2.79 and Im running a TKO600 on a mild 302(heads, small cam, headers and int).

Would going to a 5 leaf with a softer shock help decrease my wheel hop and roughly keep the same kind of ride?

What about the fiberglass springs? How well do those work?

So I'm looking for recommendations on keeping the same quality of ride and the same ride height but also help out with the wheel hop. I don't want to put on traction bars yet because eventually I'm going to put a 9inch in and I'm not sure what kind of setup it will be.

 

[2+2GT]

I have a 69 Coupe with KYB Gas-a-just shocks all the way around and as far as I now the original springs all the way around. I recently noticed that the clips that hold the 4 leafs together have loosened up and are not holding the leafs together.
These, as well as the nylon anti-squeak pads between the leaves can be replaced.

I want to keep the same kind of ride, and also keep the ride height where it is right now. To the best of my knowledge the leaf springs could very well be the original springs, however they are not weak and do not sag noticeably. Im sure they might be drooping just a tiny little bit because of the age alone.
Probably they are, a little.

Would a standard eye 4leaf raise the car some? I'm thinking it probably would.
If yours are sagging, sure.

Would a mid-eye 4leaf spring keep the ride height pretty close to where it is now? Or do you think it might still lower it a tad.
More than a tad.

I also have some pretty bad wheel hop. Right now I have an open 8 inch with a 2.79 and Im running a TKO600 on a mild 302(heads, small cam, headers and int).
Traction Masters™ will stop that hopping.

Would going to a 5 leaf with a softer shock help decrease my wheel hop and roughly keep the same kind of ride?
You could throw the shocks away and 5-leaf will still ride like a pickup truck.

So I'm looking for recommendations on keeping the same quality of ride and the same ride height but also help out with the wheel hop. I don't want to put on traction bars yet because eventually I'm going to put a 9inch in and I'm not sure what kind of setup it will be.
If you put the stock 4-leaf GT springs on now, and a set of Traction Masters™, and later you want to swap in a 9", you'll have no trouble.

Traction Masters™:

 

[rbohm]

my advice would be to get a set of flex i form fiberglass leaf springs. they are lighter which will aid in ride quality, they are stiffer which helps handling, and they dont wrap up like steel leafs do which helps eliminate wheel hop.

 

[truck90278]

I concur with rbohm. we're using the flex form composite leaf springs. Significant weight reduction along with the ability to pick whatever springrate you want. we are using 225# springs with Bilstein shocks on our '65. purposely a little stiffer. They are custom made for you

 

[j69302]

Thanks for the replies.

Any ideas on what spring rate I should get? the rear end feels pretty stiff as is with my originals.

I was looking at the maier racing ones but not sure what rate to get because im not sure how stiff those are compared to stock springs.

Anybody know what a stock 4 leaf is rated at?

 

[2+2GT]

Anybody know what a stock 4 leaf is rated at?

Define "stock". The 64 170 cid coupe and the BOSS 429, and everything in between ALL had 4-leaf springs. What rate do you want? Or better yet, what sort of roads do you drive on, how do you drive, and what purpose does your car serve?

 

[rbohm]

Thanks for the replies.

Any ideas on what spring rate I should get? the rear end feels pretty stiff as is with my originals.

I was looking at the maier racing ones but not sure what rate to get because im not sure how stiff those are compared to stock springs.

Anybody know what a stock 4 leaf is rated at?

stock springs generally run between 120 to 140in/lbs. my advice for for springs is more like 180-220in/lbs for best handling. the reason the springs seem stiff is due to the angle of the shocks, and the stiffness of the shocks used.

 

[zookeeper]

+1 on the shocks. A freind had KYB's and original springs on his '67 coupe and it was pretty harsh. He switched to Konis and it was much better.

 

[2+2GT]

+1 on the shocks. A freind had KYB's and original springs on his '67 coupe and it was pretty harsh. He switched to Konis and it was much better.

How odd. I found Konis to be much too harsh, and switched to the Kayaba Gas-A-Just, got a much more comfortable ride.

 

[zookeeper]

I had Konis on my '65 and loved them, they gave a nice controlled feel and absolutely no harshness. If they weren't so expensive they'd be on my '68. As it is, I have GR-2's and they seem pretty good for the price. My wife's '88 has Gas-a-Justs and it's a back-breaker.

 

[palerider94]

I've got 4 1/2 std eye from Mustang Plus and gas-adjust and find the ride nice - little stiff but not jarring - good compromise.