3 leafs or 4 leaf springs?

Well Mel! I wud just keep in mind spring ratings if U go w/ new units. I don't know if ur planning to re-arch and add a leaf, in any case I wud weigh the cost of rehab. OE units and going w/ new units. If cost differential is comparable I go w/ new.

 

It's unfortunate that I don't know what the rating was on the 4-leafs I had.
In fact, I wonder if ESPO can tell me what the rating of the new 3-leafs I got from them are.

 

Yes, that is right. I believe I will go with a new set. Thanks to Jeff he supplied the load ratings so at least now I know that I need a 708 lb rated 4 leaf spring. That should not be too tough to find I think. I will make some phone calls Monday.

 

my 4 leafs road hard. I pulled a leaf and now they are a lot smoother...

at the time 4 leaf were all I could find.

 

Where were yours from Frank? The 4 leafs that I saw from General Spring was rated at 806 or 807 and that is too much for my 2 dr 71.

 

don't remember...

 

See what happens when you get our age!

 

Frank, according to a leaf spring thread back in 2009, yours came from JCW.
I'm getting better with the search tool.

 

Interesting. Mine were from JCW too. I'm thinking that they may have been stiffer than those offered by other suppliers.
If you (or anyone) can find out what they were rated at, I would be interested.

 

That sounds like a lot to be off. First be sure you are measuring it properly. Have you swapped the rear end? I know when I switched to my 9 inch, I had to adjust the pinion angle a little. They make angle shims just for this purpose. Try your local parts store or go on line. Good Luck.
Lee "THE MAV" Richart

 

Jim , I have 4 leaf from general spring and it is stiff and still sits a little high after 3 years... but I do like the ride,just needs a one inch lowering block...

 

ESPO got back to me and said my 3-leafs are "around 595".
That sounds a bit soft to me, but I figure I can always add a leaf if necessary.

 

This is the most recent e-mail I received from ESPO:

"The 660 spring was in the 4 door cars and the 595 was in the 2 door. Wherever you saw it on the internet has it backwards. The 4 doors weigh more so they would be higher load. The two springs use the same steel thickness, the 4 door just uses a higher arch which gives it more load capacity.

The 4-leaf in 73 is approx 730 load. It wasn't an original spring in a 1973 2 door we have those done special because there are a lot of people that want a 4-leaf in the Maverick. I believe the 2 door Maverick in 73 only used a 3 leaf originally."

 

great info in this thread
My Mav has the left side setting lower than the right so its time to change the springs. I am not sure if I want the Jacked up look that was famous for that area or the squatty look or level look ?

 

I have the same issue. I installed new springs and shocks all around and car still leans slightly to drivers side. I have seen a few other Mav's & Comets lean that way. It is not that noticable to vast majority of people, but, the sharp eyed can spot it. I hope you have better luck w/ your issue.