JRHendo

Hi all,

My 1973 SB has been lowered by a PO. We're doing a rally next year and it will have some unsealed roads. I want to raise the car to at least it's factory height.

Can anyone tell me the dimensions of the original springs? Free height, compressed height, spring diameter?

If anyone has raised their car at all, I'd love to know what springs to use.

Also, how do you raise the rear? I remember something about changing a bolt, but the rest escapes me.

Regards

John

Alan 71

Hi John,
I'll address the rear ride height.
If the rear spring is still the original type steel 9 or 7 leaf spring the ride height INCREASES as the spring to trailing arm bolts are SHORTENED.
The original bolts were about 6-3/4" long and had a very short threaded portion, so had little adjustment.
The original rear ride height was about 28" from the ground to the center of the wheel arch. This dimension is dependent on the wheel and tire size on the car.
Besides the springs I'd also take a look at the exhaust system to insure that it's tucked up against the rear differential as near as is possible.
Original systems had flattened pipes in this area to give a bit more clearance.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

Short threaded area on original bolt.

cottoneg

If the car has been lowered, it was either by cutting the original spring or buying an F-41 type spring the lowers the car an inch. If that is the case, to raise the front back up you may have to purchase another set of factory replacement springs. Original springs were about 15 1/4. I don't remember the diameter of the metal.