Who makes the best non sagging stock rear leaf springs? Espo, Spring and things, Eaton Detroit Spring?

[fullmetaljacket]

I want to replace my sagging rear leafs on my '73 Coronet 4 door sedan with a new set that could ride about an inch above stock height, no higher or lower.
Any experience with either of the above vendors/fabricators? Thank you in advance.

 

[Cheapsunglasses]

I vote Espos, good price IIRC $430 to my door, and great customer service, and fast shipping. Have had +2” on my GTX for 2 years, not too soft, not too firm, just right. I don’t think they’ve sagged any, but I have air shocks so idk if I’ll see it.

 

[Kern Dog]

In 2006, I swapped in Mopar Performance Hemi/440 4 speed springs. I don't think the car has sagged at all since.

 

[MoparLeo]

Weigh the rear of the car and give them that info when you ask about the springs. Don't use air shocks. Didn't think they still made them. The proper way would be an airbag that sits between the frame rail and the axle housing, not a thin upper mount and a lower pin/spring plate mount.
Technology has improved over the last 50 years.

 

[Cheapsunglasses]

Weigh the rear of the car and give them that info when you ask about the springs. Don't use air shocks. Didn't think they still made them. The proper way would be an airbag that sits between the frame rail and the axle housing, not a thin upper mount and a lower pin/spring plate mount.
Technology has improved over the last 50 years.

This isn’t an air shock debate thread, it’s a spring debate thread.

 

[SattyNoCar]

I put ESPO's on my wagon back in 2000. Went with one inch over stock. Great service, actually received my springs ahead of estimated time.
Now, this is not a complaint or bash towards ESPO, OK? Just sharing my experience. Are my results typical? I don't know and I never took it up with ESPO.
About 5 yrs in, the 1" over was gone and the wagon sat level. A few yrs later, I added coil over shocks to help with the occasional load as my wagon was my daily driver back then.
These shocks for those not familiar with them......


In 2009 I stopped driving the wagon every day, and by 2010, was not driving it at all.

Currently, wagon still sits level, but I don't know if its because of the shocks or the springs.

To give you an idea how bad the original springs were, going with the 1" over actually raised the back about 5". The car has a dealer installed hitch on it, and the nut holding the trailer ball on had been ground down to about half its thickness. Think it bottomed out much?

Back then, and now, I don't think I had the correct springs. Sure, they visually matched what I took off, but I don't know what the rate was. For that matter, I'm not sure it had the correct springs from the factory. Previously I had a '78 Creastwood 9 passenger wagon with tow package (how my '73 is equipped) and the '78 sat just above level with no assistance from the shocks.

Not sure how ESPO does things now, but if I were to do it over, I would be more aware of the spring rate and shop based on that.

Hope my ramble made sense and helped a little.

 

[rumblefish360]

ESPO is Springs and Things. Same company.
I’ve used them before. Excellent product IMO.

 

[topside]

FMJ ! Glad to see you're still at it & hope all is well.
I've used ESPO several times, generally buying the Hemi rear springs for B-bodies, and + 1".
On a wagon I built, I went + 1" and should have gone + 2" because of the heavier tail weight.

 

[fullmetaljacket]

FMJ ! Glad to see you're still at it & hope all is well.
I've used ESPO several times, generally buying the Hemi rear springs for B-bodies, and + 1".
On a wagon I built, I went + 1" and should have gone + 2" because of the heavier tail weight.

Hate to say this, but my ESPO springs which were ordered as stock replacement springs kinda sagged rather fast. Without any thing in the trunk or passengers, it sits pretty at stock level ride height, but add anything to the rear and they take a dive. I should have maybe ordered Hemi HD springs instead. Here's a picture of how it sits empty. Perhaps I will try Detroit Spring when I drive out there again.

 

[Darter6]

More expensive than ESPO, I have been using Eaton for many a build over the years.
I have them on my 63 right now. Happy with the service.

 

[rumblefish360]

Hate to say this, but my ESPO springs which were ordered as stock replacement springs kinda sagged rather fast. Without any thing in the trunk or passengers, it sits pretty at stock level ride height, but add anything to the rear and they take a dive. I should have maybe ordered Hemi HD springs instead. Here's a picture of how it sits empty. Perhaps I will try Detroit Spring when I drive out there again.

View attachment 1316331

I have a set in My ‘79 Magnum, they’ll be coming off for older and good S/S springs in late September. When I make my way back to NY for a LI visit, let me know if you want to try them.

 

[fullmetaljacket]

I have a set in My ‘79 Magnum, they’ll be coming off for older and good S/S springs in late September. When I make my way back to NY for a LI visit, let me know if you want to try them.

Rumble. Thank you for the offer. Are they the same length front and rear segments and the center eye bolt located the same?

 

[fullmetaljacket]

I have a set in My ‘79 Magnum, they’ll be coming off for older and good S/S springs in late September. When I make my way back to NY for a LI visit, let me know if you want to try them.

More expensive than ESPO, I have been using Eaton for many a build over the years.
I have them on my 63 right now. Happy with the service.

Sometimes more expensive means better product and or service.

 

[rumblefish360]

Rumble. Thank you for the offer. Are they the same length front and rear segments and the center eye bolt located the same?

When I called ESPO, I asked for a replacement for my 440/HEMI springs since the MP ones were trash. They said no problem.

Now the one and only thing you may not have remembered is the bolt that holds all the leafs together are larger for the ISO suspension. This should be your only obstacle for a quick & direct swap as AFAIK, the late B body springs are the same length as the 70’s B body.

At the moment, I can not get a direct measurement of the springs since the growth around the cars along with the friendly neighborhood fire ants are all around the car.

 

[fullmetaljacket]

When I called ESPO, I asked for a replacement for my 440/HEMI springs since the MP ones were trash. They said no problem.

Now the one and only thing you may not have remembered is the bolt that holds all the leafs together are larger for the ISO suspension. This should be your only obstacle for a quick & direct swap as AFAIK, the late B body springs are the same length as the 70’s B body.

At the moment, I can not get a direct measurement of the springs since the growth around the cars along with the friendly neighborhood fire ants are all around the car.

Yes of course, I forgot about the ISO setup which I have. If you by chance find your way up here in September with the springs I'll try 'em unless of course if I get a new set and let you know beforehand. Let's keep in touch about it. I'm in no urgent rush. Thank you.

 

[MoparLeo]

I does always help more if you have an actual weight for them. Actual load Weight is exact in pounds... not just an application like a 70 sedan 4 door.
That was an air shock technology update for the 50 year old cars . Not a bash, just todays facts.

 

[fullmetaljacket]

I does always help more if you have an actual weight for them. Actual load Weight is exact in pounds... not just an application like a 70 sedan 4 door.
That was an air shock technology update for the 50 year old cars . Not a bash, just todays facts.

Yes. If I end up going with a new set, I will make sure to give the cars total real curb weight and rear section weight.