No it really helps alot that you did, considering that it was gonna cost me about $350 to have some leaf springs made. Now with this i can get good leaf springs, afford sway bars, and bushings for under or about $400. I really appreciate the feedback to man thanks.
That's how I felt about it too. Freed up money to do other things. And I when I'm "on a mission" such as I was when I decided my leaf springs needed to be replaced, I hate waiting for parts to ship. And I really hate it when they're backordered...
backorder or not available sad but true for the mavericks, i wish we had some sort of direct supplier from brazil. Hey do you have sway bars on your car? did you notice a total difference if you do?
Drew's method is cheaper than any other option I've seen if you have a good local salvage, but leaf springs are still available new. I bought my last set from General Spring in KC and have been happy with them. http://www.generalspringkc.com/index.php If I remember right, they were less than $200 for the set. "JRS" springs sold through JCWhitney and others are no longer available.
I had already ordered a shackle and bushing kit from JCWhitney - they're cheap. You can use your old shackles, but I would atleast put in new bushings. You can get them from your local springs shop as well. I put lowering blocks on the 4-leafs in my '73, since I wanted it lower - but wasn't necessary.
My leaf springs are new and even though they sit a little higher I can tell its getting soft and weak again. But still not as bad as my old time.
soft and weak is never good, is it.... I'm having my leafs re arched next week.. probably ad a leaf. Long Beach Spring,(.com) CA I think it's called SAF sindrome. (Saggy Ass Ford) I want mine low and stiff...to handle luggage and back seat passengers.
Well.. I read that article... Thanks for that link! Ignorance was bliss and there isn't any bliss anymore. On Monday I'm going to call Long Beach Spring and ask them which way they do it. I don't want to do this again in a year.. I will buy new USA made springs or find a shop that does them correctly. Google ing around I'm finding stories of re arching sagging soon. Eaton is out of the question too far away.. Atlas here in Los Angeles http://www.atlasleafspring.com/index.html or http://www.longbeachspring.com/ I drove to Long Beach Spring with an appointment last Monday and when I got there Felix, the head vato in charge that day didn't know I was coming and said his back hurt and couldnt do it today. They could have called me. I called them to tell them I was on my way and running late and the surly desk girl said do they know your coming? I said I have an appointment. She said well ok then.. (Driving Los Angeles Freeways in the morning is no picnic..)
Well I had them re arched today. Atlas Spring did a great job, I'm very happy. They added a leaf and got the ride hide perfect. All new parts...they make their own U bolts there.. I'd been running helper springs for about a year, finally got rid of the mickey mouse. The thing about buying new leafs through the mail is one really doesn't know AT ALL how high or low the backs gonna wind up. Fernando at Atlas Spring hit it perfect.. Yesterday I brought him my big block 70 Coronet and he rearched and added two leafs on each side... 6 total. Two cars in two days...
