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Old Dec 11, 2021 | 09:21 PM
  #21  
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This car sat in a garage for 35,pretty much forgotten.
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Old Dec 11, 2021 | 09:33 PM
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I just want to get the back end down so it doesn't look like a 4x4.
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Old Dec 11, 2021 | 09:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Z51JEFF
This isn't true,longer bolts relax the spring changing spring tension.
the longer bolts permits the differential to ride lower, how is that changing the characteristics of the spring?
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Old Dec 11, 2021 | 09:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Rob Via
I just want to get the back end down so it doesn't look like a 4x4.
The back is easy.
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Old Dec 11, 2021 | 09:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Rob Via
I just want to get the back end down so it doesn't look like a 4x4.
if you have 6" bolts put in 8" bolts. I gave you the link to the 8" bolts above.
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Old Dec 11, 2021 | 10:12 PM
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Originally Posted by MelWff
the longer bolts permits the differential to ride lower, how is that changing the characteristics of the spring?
Loosening up the spring bolt changes the tension of the spring,tighten,shorten the bolt increases spring tension. The differential has nothing to do with spring tension. The differential is mounted solid,it doesn't move.
I got my words screwed up,the longer spring bolts relaxing the spring changes the tension ON the spring.

Last edited by Z51JEFF; Dec 12, 2021 at 04:03 PM.
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Old Dec 11, 2021 | 10:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Z51JEFF
Loosening up the spring bolt changes the tension of the spring,tighten,shorten the bolt increases spring tension. The differential has nothing to do with spring tension. The differential is mounted solid,it doesn't move.
the spring is attached to the differential, spring drops differential drops, spring doesnt know whether you have 6 or 8 or 10 inch bolts.
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Old Dec 11, 2021 | 10:46 PM
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Originally Posted by MelWff
the spring is attached to the differential, spring drops differential drops, spring doesnt know whether you have 6 or 8 or 10 inch bolts.
Not going to argue with you,your logic here makes no sence. Post this issue in the TECH section and see what kind of responses you get.
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Old Dec 11, 2021 | 11:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Z51JEFF
Not going to argue with you,your logic here makes no sence. Post this issue in the TECH section and see what kind of responses you get.
if you install a 360 spring, it's going to be 360 regardless of how long the spring bolts are. I have no interest in posting this anywhere else.

Last edited by MelWff; Jan 8, 2022 at 03:10 PM.
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Old Dec 12, 2021 | 08:03 AM
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Originally Posted by Z51JEFF
Not going to argue with you,your logic here makes no sence. Post this issue in the TECH section and see what kind of responses you get.
you are mistaken. the spring ends are hung from the trailing arms by the 2 long bolts. longer bolts hang the spring lower than shorter bolts. and since the car is attached to the center of the spring it drops lower. at roughly half the amount the bolt is longer. you want to increase the tension on the spring put 2 or 3 people on the back deck of the car.
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Old Dec 12, 2021 | 08:07 AM
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before messing with ride height, measure your ride height. anything under 28 inches from the top of the wheel opening to the road is in the ball park. and do not go too long on the rear bolts. a flat tire and 10 inch bolts will dig into the road. if it happens at speed, bad things will happen.
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Old Dec 12, 2021 | 12:25 PM
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Originally Posted by rmoudry
I want to lower the front end of my '68 and possibly the rear end. To me the stance is not aggressive enough.

Any recommendations on a shop in Phoenix who could do this with a high quality result? Thanks in advance.
As for the front and rear, you may want to consider the F-41 suspension. It will lower the car (I believe) 1 inch)

For the rear, I would get 10 inch bolts and cut the excess off. You need to set your D height.

Last edited by cottoneg; Jan 14, 2022 at 06:48 AM.
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Old Dec 12, 2021 | 02:51 PM
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Originally Posted by derekderek
before messing with ride height, measure your ride height. anything under 28 inches from the top of the wheel opening to the road is in the ball park. and do not go too long on the rear bolts. a flat tire and 10 inch bolts will dig into the road. if it happens at speed, bad things will happen.
The front is about 27 1/2. The back is just below 29. If I could lower it 3/4 of an inch, I think it would be good.
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Old Dec 12, 2021 | 03:06 PM
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With 10” bolts and those 15” wide wheels, be careful the end of the spring doesn’t contact the tire sidewall. Also, longer bolts do not relax the spring, the tension remains the same as the weight on the spring remains the same. Think of it this way, the spring compresses the same amount, but the TA position is higher given the longer bolts, lowering the car.
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Old Dec 12, 2021 | 03:10 PM
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If you want your rear lower, either install a lighter spring or like has been said use a longer spring end bolt. If the bolt gets too long go with the lighter spring.
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Old Dec 12, 2021 | 06:59 PM
  #36  
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you get about half the extra bolt length in lowered rear height. stock bolt is-i believe- 6-1/2 inches. so 8 inch bolt would get you about 3/4 inch. cut 10 inch bolts down to 9. 10 scares me. removing 1 leaf will also work, but a lot more doing. any replacement spring will cost 300 some bucks and raise the rear.
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Old Jan 8, 2022 | 02:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Z51JEFF
This isn't true,longer bolts relax the spring changing spring tension.
HTF do longer bolts relax the "tension" on a spring ??
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Old Jan 8, 2022 | 07:38 PM
  #38  
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Originally Posted by QIK59
HTF do longer bolts relax the "tension" on a spring ??
Here,I'll slow it way down for you. Take a spring,put it between your index finger and thumb,squeeze the spring. Did the spring get harder to compress as you shortened the spring length? That's about as basic as it gets.
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Old Jan 8, 2022 | 08:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Z51JEFF
Here,I'll slow it way down for you. Take a spring,put it between your index finger and thumb,squeeze the spring. Did the spring get harder to compress as you shortened the spring length? That's about as basic as it gets.
wrong analogy, the spring moves the same amount when you go over a bump whether the bolt holding it to the trailing arm is 6" or 8" or 10".
The leave spring is not a variable rate coil spring.
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Old Jan 8, 2022 | 08:35 PM
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Originally Posted by MelWff
wrong analogy, the spring moves the same amount when you go over a bump whether the bolt holding it to the trailing arm is 6" or 8" or 10".
The leave spring is not a variable rate coil spring.
You are 100% correct on this. The longer or shorter bolt does not compress or relieve the spring at all. It just raises or lowers the rear of the car. It has nothing to do with changing the spring rate.
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