Topic: Q: Looking for insights on using other vehicles springs on my 95 Tbird
Hi:
I'm moving onto the suspension research now and while the front-running recommendation is to find Tbird Super Coupe springs and cut them, I was wondering if you guys might be able to shed some light on alternatives because I'm still looking for a set of SC springs at a reasonable price.
I know some other folks here have said just to go "find a truck at a junkyard and put them on" but I'm curious to find out what tolerances I might have to deal with.
Here's what I know:
Specs on my Current Springs
Front Spring
Inside Diameter=3.677"
Wire Diameter=.656"
Free Height=16.88"
Load height=14"
Front: 223-282 lb./in.
Rear Spring
Inside Diameter=4.26"
Wire Diameter=.703"
Free Height=12.81"
Load height=11"
Rear: 361-501 lb./in.
Specs on the SC springs I'm looking for...
Front: 349-403 lb./in.
Rear: 509-637 lb./in.
When I cut them the spring rate should shift towards the upper end of this range.
Plans for the car
Even though my choice of tire should drop the car 1.5", I calculate that my new ride height with my existing spring set will be 6" in the front and 7" in the rear -- plenty of room to cut -- thanks to the >380LBs we've removed from this pig.
Questions...
Q: If I look at another vehicle, I know that the inside diameter of the target spring must be at LEAST 3.67" in the front and 4.26" in the rear.
Q: How much bigger can they be though? What's my limiting factor -- the size of the upper mount, right?
Q: Is there anything else I should worry about (like spring ends even though I'm likely to cut at least one of them?)
Ahh, lookie what I found here. Listing of Moog Coil Specifications (can use to cross reference what cars to look for at the junkyard.
http://classiccarsprings.com/coil-sprin … tions.html
After filtering out the data, I found this items.
In this chart, my tbird spring ratings are listed as
Front CC871 - spring rate 290lb/in
Rears CC861 - spring rate 418lb/in
My closest match to the inner diameters that would be an upgrade off the specs above would be the following:
FRONT (assuming less than the rears) - model # 6452
Inner Dia 3.68"
Wire 0.78"
Load Height 10"
Load Capacity 3155
Spring Rate 843
Free Length 13.64
CHEVROLET BLAZER (1973 - 1983)
CHEVROLET C10 PICKUP (1973 - 1986)
CHEVROLET C10 PICKUP BIG TEN (1978 - 1980)
CHEVROLET C10 SUBURBAN (1973 - 1983)
CHEVROLET C20 PICKUP (1973 - 1986)
CHEVROLET C20 SUBURBAN (1979 - 1983)
CHEVROLET C30 PICKUP (1977 - 1981)
CHEVROLET G10 SPORTVAN (1973 - 1993)
CHEVROLET G10 VAN (1973 - 1995)
CHEVROLET G20 SPORTVAN (1973 - 1995)
CHEVROLET G20 VAN (1973 - 1995)
CHEVROLET K5 BLAZER 1976
CHEVROLET P10 VAN (1973 - 1980)
CHEVROLET R10 PICKUP 1987
CHEVROLET R20 PICKUP 1987
GMC C15 PICKUP (1975 - 1978)
GMC C15 PICKUP BIG TEN (1977 - 1978)
GMC C15 SUBURBAN (1977 - 1978)
GMC C15/C1500 PICKUP (1973 - 1974)
GMC C1500 PICKUP (1979 - 1986)
GMC C1500 PICKUP BIG TEN (1979 - 1980)
GMC C1500 SUBURBAN (1979 - 1986)
GMC C25 PICKUP (1975 - 1978)
GMC C25 SUBURBAN (1977 - 1978)
GMC C25/C2500 PICKUP (1973 - 1974)
GMC C2500 PICKUP (1979 - 1986)
GMC C2500 SUBURBAN (1979 - 1983)
GMC C35 PICKUP (1977 - 1978)
GMC C3500 PICKUP (1979 - 1981)
GMC G15 VAN RALLY (1975 - 1978)
GMC G15 VANDURA (1975 - 1978)
GMC G15/G1500 VAN RALLY (1973 - 1974)
GMC G15/G1500 VANDURA (1973 - 1974)
GMC G1500 VAN (1983 - 1995)
GMC G1500 VAN RALLY (1979 - 1993)
GMC G1500 VANDURA (1979 - 1995)
GMC G25 VAN RALLY (1975 - 1976)
GMC G25 VANDURA (1975 - 1976)
GMC G25/G2500 VAN RALLY (1973 - 1974)
GMC G25/G2500 VANDURA (1973 - 1974)
GMC G2500 VAN RALLY (1992 - 1995)
GMC G2500 VANDURA (1992 - 1995)
GMC JIMMY (1973 - 1983)
GMC P15 VAN (1975 - 1978)
GMC P15/P1500 VAN (1973 - 1974)
GMC P1500 VAN (1979 - 1980)
GMC R1500 PICKUP 1987
GMC R1500 SUBURBAN (1987 - 1991)
GMC R2500 PICKUP 1987
REAR - Model # CC615
Inner Dia 5.2"
Wire 0.94
Load Height 10.75"
Load Capacity 1335
Spring Rate 820
Free Length 12.38
From
CHEVROLET C20 PICKUP (1963 - 1972)
GMC C25/C2500 PICKUP (1969 - 1972)
Q: Do you think these would work for my application (assuming I can find these vehicles in a scrapyard)?
Q: Or, am I just over thinking this and should I just cut the springs already on the car and be done with it?
Thanks again for your advice.
-g
2017 Sears Pointless Organizer’s Choice
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