Slant Six Forum :: Adding a leaf

I have had good results adding leaves to my two 65's.

Both cars still had their stock 4 leaf packs installed. I disassembled a 5 leaf set for the extra leaves.

I installed the extra leaf backwards and reversed one of the other leaves so they came up to the front eye. Clamp the front of the pack and you've got poor-man's super-stock springs!

OK, not really, but I'm happy with them. They don't sag, the height is close to stock, and they were "free".

Best of all, I was able to swap the axles and rebuild the springs on both cars in about half a day working on an uneven gravel driveway by myself.
Not trying to brag, just saying don't be afraid to try it.

Author:	Jeb [ Mon May 29, 2006 8:14 pm ]
Post subject:	Adding a leaf
How difficult is it add a leaf to leaf springs. The stock four leafs on my Duster are starting to sag and I want to get it back to stock ride height. I do not want to spend the money to buy new leaf springs, just fix the old ones. Do companies sell add a leaf kits?

Author:	SlantSixDan [ Mon May 29, 2006 8:52 pm ]
Post subject:
Adding a leaf without re-arching the springs isn't cost-effective; the improvement will in that case be very short-lived.

Author:	DusterIdiot [ Mon May 29, 2006 9:17 pm ]
Post subject:	Dan's right...
The '74 I had, had a "helper leaf" added to the stack to make things right. It didn't last long (the car started with 98K on the clock when I got it and it had 116K when it ended it's life (rust and previous neglect never sleeps). The springs finally sunk about 103K on the clock, swapping in a set of springs from a low miler V-8 Dart put it right back to where it should be (and rode better than any car with the slant rear springs...and had the correct height with a tool box in the trunk). You can do this two ways: Buy another set of springs and install them (some $$$ and your time spent), add a helper spring (which is small $$$ spent, a few months later, then $$$ spent on replacement set, and your time again). Besides, if your replacing those, it's probably time to replace the bushings and check the under carriage for cracks and rust, and reundercoat it. -D.Idiot

Author:	Pierre [ Mon May 29, 2006 10:33 pm ]
Post subject:
Adding a leaf period isn't cost effective on our springs unles you don't value your time one nickel. Last I remember a set of brand new springs with bushings already pressed in from espo was less then $150 shipped. If your really in a crunch $ wise you may be able to find a 5 leaf set at the junkyard or post in the wanted section on moparts.

Author:	Jeb [ Tue May 30, 2006 4:40 am ]
Post subject:
I guess I will buy some new 5 leafs. Does Espo sell leaf springs? They were not listed on there website.

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Author:	SlantSixDan [ Tue May 30, 2006 7:55 am ]
Post subject:
ESPO does sell lots of different A-body leaf springs. They don't list them because there are so many different ones! Give 'em a call.

Author:	sixinthehead [ Tue May 30, 2006 2:36 pm ]
Post subject:
I have had good results adding leaves to my two 65's. Both cars still had their stock 4 leaf packs installed. I disassembled a 5 leaf set for the extra leaves. I installed the extra leaf backwards and reversed one of the other leaves so they came up to the front eye. Clamp the front of the pack and you've got poor-man's super-stock springs! OK, not really, but I'm happy with them. They don't sag, the height is close to stock, and they were "free". Best of all, I was able to swap the axles and rebuild the springs on both cars in about half a day working on an uneven gravel driveway by myself. Not trying to brag, just saying don't be afraid to try it.

Author:	Dennis Weaver [ Tue May 30, 2006 3:54 pm ]
Post subject:
Quote: I have had good results adding leaves to my two 65's. Both cars still had their stock 4 leaf packs installed. I disassembled a 5 leaf set for the extra leaves. I installed the extra leaf backwards and reversed one of the other leaves so they came up to the front eye. Clamp the front of the pack and you've got poor-man's super-stock springs! OK, not really, but I'm happy with them. They don't sag, the height is close to stock, and they were "free". Best of all, I was able to swap the axles and rebuild the springs on both cars in about half a day working on an uneven gravel driveway by myself. Not trying to brag, just saying don't be afraid to try it. Ditto, and I agree. I have added leaves and "custom built" leaf springs many times with good success. The key is putting in additional leaves that come as close to the spring eye (front) as possible. D/W

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