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simplest way to lift 1/2 to 1" in rear

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stouchton

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hi folks,

I want to change my stance slightly - 67 running at stock rear height that I want to lift in the back ever so slightly.

My leafs are a little perverted. Back in the late 70's I busted a mono leaf and had a new set of multi leafs made to go back on the car. Measuring from the axle center to fender lip produced the correct factory dimension, and the ground clearances are correct. But I want a squeak more rake to the look.

Was thinking about shackle extensions - but they really look like they would hit the tail panel - anyone done this?

Also thinking about different pads between spring and axle mount - or even doubling up the pads - or installing a spacer.

Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

Thanks
 
#2 ·
Are you running the rubber pad between the leaf spring and the axle perch? Of so, remove it and allow the axle to sit directly on the spring to raise it ~ 3/8". Just put some metal underneath the spring to fill the gap before clamping back together.

If you are running a single leaf rear on the multi leaf springs you may not have or need a spacer.

Or you could re-arch the springs. There are some videos on Youtube showing how that is done.
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
Thanks - been under too many cars and had the spring mount backwards in my head. It does have the rubber pad, so removing that could give me a little lift - keep forgetting the axle sits on the spring.

Need to take a look and see how much it will give me.
 
#4 ·
Have you considered front leaf spring pockets/mounts from a Nova, I believe they bolt up the same but lower the relative mounting point of the front of the leaf spring which would raise the height of the car by the difference?
 
#5 ·
NH69Z28RS said:
Have you considered front leaf spring pockets/mounts from a Nova, I believe they bolt up the same but lower the relative mounting point of the front of the leaf spring which would raise the height of the car by the difference?
Click to expand...
This is another good idea. The two combined might net you the rear height you desire.
 
#7 ·
Removing the rubber pad might not work. If you have multileaf springs they probably have a bolt through the middle holding the leafs together, the top part being a locator pin. And if you have monoleaf perches on the rear, they don't have a hole to accept the locator pin like multileaf perches do.......
 
#8 ·
stouchton said:
Never thought of that Scott - will definitely check that out. As Andrew mentioned I could combine the 2 ideas. This just might work!

Thanks
Click to expand...
The only real drawback to using the Nova spring pockets/mounts is that they do hang down a bit but as long as you are okay with that it might get you where you want to be - good luck!
 
#9 ·
I had the exact same issue on my ’69. What I did was get another set of shackles. Brought them to a welding shop. They cut them in the center and added 3/4” of material to them. The additional 3/4” in shackle length equated to exactly the same increase in clearance between the wheel well and the tire. I located an extra set of shackles so that I could change them out in the same day. I paid $70 to the welding shop.
 
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#10 ·
You might not like this but I put air shocks on my 79 Z because it sat low when new as they all did and it works great for only 1/2 to 1" lift. I wouldn't go any more than that or do like we did in the 70's, jack em up to fit the big tires::noway::noway::noway:
 
#14 ·
davidpozzi said:
Switching to Bilstein gas shocks will raise the rear 1/2" if you had non- gas shocks to start with.
Click to expand...
Why would shocks raise the rear? I always thought the springs set the height and at rest the shocks didn't do much of anything. I know you know your stuff, so I really am just curious. I hope this is adding to the OPs thread and I'm not hijacking...
As far as the original question, I was thinking re-arching the spring or the Nova pockets like was mentioned earlier.
 
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Discussion starter · #15 ·
Thanks all - a lot of good stuff and I need to digest the best way to proceed (which probably interprets to simplest...)

My multi-leafs were custom made while I waited at Chester Spring Works in Chester PA. Fascinating place, probably out of business now. Anyway, they were made to directly replace the monoleafs, so they fit right onto the mono leaf mounts.

As for the front, I need to do something but cannot lower it. My header pipes are touching down slightly (rarely now) - I changed the springs, installed double adjustable shocks and resorted to those rubber spacers to try and stiffen up the spring rate. I even put a slightly larger tire on to get 3/8" more clearance. I was actually hoping a slight lift in the back would help the header pipe issue.

Nova pockets sound like the ticket... pretty simple to do. Though shackles are simple too, just think they might hit the tail panel.

If I can find a good pic I will post it so you folks can critique the stance.
 
#18 ·
sgthawkusmc said:
Why would shocks raise the rear? I always thought the springs set the height and at rest the shocks didn't do much of anything. I know you know your stuff, so I really am just curious. I hope this is adding to the OPs thread and I'm not hijacking...
As far as the original question, I was thinking re-arching the spring or the Nova pockets like was mentioned earlier.
Click to expand...
Gas shocks push with about 45 pounds. Two shocks push up 90 lbs total.
Gas shocks are pressurized with between 100 & 200 psi, the pressure acts on the area of the shock shaft.
David
 
#19 ·
stouchton said:


Pic is a few years old, but the stance is the same.

Even though she measures out to factory specs she seems too low in the back for my taste.
Click to expand...
If that were my car, I'd lower the front a bit. Just my preference.
 
#20 ·
davidpozzi said:
Gas shocks push with about 45 pounds. Two shocks push up 90 lbs total.
Gas shocks are pressurized with between 100 & 200 psi, the pressure acts on the area of the shock shaft.
David
Click to expand...
Thanks for that David.

OP: I like the stance you have now, but I can see why you'd like to raise up the rear a touch. It seems like not a lot of folks like that style anymore. It won't be winning any T/A races like that, but it looks great.
 
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