Suspension Question

[suki243]

Hey guys, as some of you may know its time to replace my springs. Shocks seem to be fine, when i push the car down it goes down about 2 inches and when i let go it comes back up instantly, doesn't bounce.

This is a daily driver/weekend warrior, completely stock, as for stance, i'd like for 2 things to happen, the rear be lifted, and for my rubbing issues when i hit a bump or dip to go away.
Right now the front is higher in the air cause the guy who installed my rims put spring spacers in the front to prevent those from rubbing.

Now i need some guidance here.
- What brand would you guys recommend, and where would be a good place to get them?
- Any special tools needed for this operation to go down? I've read some threads where people needed circular cutting disk to cut the bolt connecting the leaf springs off.
- Should i replace the shocks at the same time?

Thanks in advance.

 

[BarnStang]

I'm going to replace the springs on my proj car. Would be great to have some iinfo on springs for the 65-66 cars. Searching turned up lots of info, tons on 67-68.
From a thread I ran recently:

I wonder what the actual ride height difference is between the 1 inch drop springs, V8 GT springs, V8 springs, and I6 springs.

I think the answer to this question would begin to narrow the choices a little. Suki, what wheels & tires are you running?
I'm going to go with the 215x60-15 tires on 15x7 rims. I am getting WAY more than 2" suspension travel pushing down on the front fender.

THe rear of your car will be easier to determine what leaf springs to get. You can get mid eye or reverse eye to lower the rear, or stock mounting point to keep stock ride height. Yea, you may need to use a sawsall to get the front bolt out. If the bolt is rusted solid to the sleeve in the bushing, the sleeve will turn with the bolt inside the bushing and it will not come out.

 

[suki243]

Oh sorry about that, I'm running foose legends 17x7; with215/50R17

How about raising the rear? and is there any difference between 4 and 5 leaf.

In terms of ride will it change for the better?

Edit: i got 17 x7's not 17x8's =\

 

[phutch11]

You are a better man that I am if you're ever able to get those 17x8's to fit in the back with mini-tubing the car or really sky-jacking the rearend.

I used the "high spring rate" springs from Mustang's Unlimited on the back of my 66 and they raised the rearend an honest 2 inches above stock ride height (which I then lowered back to the normal height) - they're cheap too and were easy to get on and off.

With so much meat on your rims you might consider having someone (or doing it yourself) roll your fenders - this will keep the sharp metal from biting the tires should the rub.

Good Luck.