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  • March 28, 2024, 06:12:13 AM

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Author Topic: Rear Spring Lift  (Read 105776 times)

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Offline Gil-SX4

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Rear Spring Lift
« on: May 29, 2004, 01:26:17 AM »
Take those blocks of the rear right now and go out and buy some Rancho Add-A-Leaf or any other brand.
Blocks are a cheap way that the lift manufacturers use to make money out of us.
Blocks are dangerous front and rear. They apply to much torque to the spring and whit the fulcrum they increase the pressure apply to the leaf spring. The point at which the differential bolt on to the spring is were all that power from the engine and the suspension is coming together.
In the long run the leaf springs will start looking like a roller-coaster.
One of the best things for a lift on leaf springs is and Add-A-Lift for any thing more than 1”1/2.
For a higher lift go to a leaf spring package, the lift from them is a lot higher than the Add-A-Leaf. They will make for a much harder ride.
Then there are the longer spring shackles which to my way of thinking more then a 2” lift and the body will start to sway and fish tail to much. If you do go with longer shackles get some heavy duty ones one piece and use some type of polyurethane bushings (I swear by polyurethane bushings there all most for life)
You can always set up a combination of shackles and add-a-lift or spring package.
And don’t forget to put an angle wedge between the differential spring plate and the spring base to give it a bit of angle to help keep the U-Joint angle from being to steep.
The ultimate lift is going to a spring coil or better yet an air suspension but since there are no kits made for the AMC Eagle you will need to make and pick your own parts from other kits and see what works.
Some people think that air shocks will lift the vehicle but not really what they do is assist the springs and raise it to a level position when there is a heavy load on the car. If used to lift the vehicle they will soon wear out and be of no help to absorb the road socks.
« Last Edit: May 30, 2004, 09:56:17 PM by Gil-SX4 »
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Spudz76

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Re: Rear Spring Lift
« Reply #1 on: October 26, 2004, 03:48:58 PM »
Also of note on this subject, don't install a lift to compensate for saggy springs, all that will do is bend them even more 'backwards' and they will break eventually.  Cheap springs can be had from ESPO ($120 a pair) and there is no excuse for not replacing them if they already look 'flat' or even worse.

Though I personally ordered a set from them which was arched +1.5" from stock (extra charge), and they flattened out to stock within months, so I don't know about their custom arching procedures (you're supposed to heat them to cherry, bend them, and then let them cool - as far as I know... I think they bend them without heating thus they had a static 1.5" gain when I got them but once weight was on them for a little while they went back to their "memorized" position which was stock).

admin

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Re: Rear Spring Lift
« Reply #2 on: November 17, 2004, 02:17:43 AM »
Thanks for the heads up on thier lifted springs spudz and thanks for all your info Gil!!

Offline Gil-SX4

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Re: Rear Spring Lift
« Reply #3 on: November 17, 2004, 02:26:32 AM »
We will sent you the bill for the service
Rick Perry President of The Republic Of Texas,
Wants You.
Enlist in the Texas Arm Forces.



"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands:
     one Nation under God, indivisible, With Liberty and Justice for all."


"Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one and indivisible."

"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government." --Thomas Jefferson

1983 AMC Eagle SX/4
1985 Chevrolet C-10 Silverado
1995 Ford Aspire
1978 Ford Bronco


Murphy's Law
"If there are two or more ways to do something, and one of those ways can result in a catastrophe, then someone will do it".

Offline pony lover

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Re: Rear Spring Lift
« Reply #4 on: March 14, 2005, 08:36:39 AM »
Thanks!! I've been contemplating all of the above. Add A Leaf sounds like the best solution. Part numbers anyone ?
Lucky owner of '65 & '67 Mustang Shelby clones, '67 Mustang convertible, '68 Mustang coupe, and '83 EAGLE WAGON

Offline Gil-SX4

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Re: Rear Spring Lift
« Reply #5 on: March 14, 2005, 02:07:32 PM »
I dont have one but all you need to do is mesure the with of the spring leag I think off hand its 2" an take that messure ment to any 4x4 parts store and askle for a Add A Leaf for a 2 " spring leaf. The lenth dosent matter.
You can allso use one that is a bit smaler not much but just a bit.
Since you habe to take the hole spring leafs I recomend changing all the bushings and hardware, soave on labor down the road. Specially if you use energizer bushings or any other brand of polyhuratane bushings.
« Last Edit: March 14, 2005, 02:10:40 PM by Gil-SX4 »
Rick Perry President of The Republic Of Texas,
Wants You.
Enlist in the Texas Arm Forces.



"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands:
     one Nation under God, indivisible, With Liberty and Justice for all."


"Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one and indivisible."

"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government." --Thomas Jefferson

1983 AMC Eagle SX/4
1985 Chevrolet C-10 Silverado
1995 Ford Aspire
1978 Ford Bronco


Murphy's Law
"If there are two or more ways to do something, and one of those ways can result in a catastrophe, then someone will do it".

Thomas

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Re: Rear Spring Lift
« Reply #6 on: May 14, 2006, 11:29:55 PM »
With a rear spring lift, ie new leaf sprins that are higher than oem or oem leafs with helper spring, what did you do for  longer shocks?

Offline Gil-SX4

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Re: Rear Spring Lift
« Reply #7 on: May 14, 2006, 11:52:29 PM »
You just need to measure the distance from the shock mounting points.
Rick Perry President of The Republic Of Texas,
Wants You.
Enlist in the Texas Arm Forces.



"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands:
     one Nation under God, indivisible, With Liberty and Justice for all."


"Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one and indivisible."

"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government." --Thomas Jefferson

1983 AMC Eagle SX/4
1985 Chevrolet C-10 Silverado
1995 Ford Aspire
1978 Ford Bronco


Murphy's Law
"If there are two or more ways to do something, and one of those ways can result in a catastrophe, then someone will do it".

Offline Hokie Eagle

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Re: Rear Spring Lift
« Reply #8 on: May 20, 2006, 10:29:32 PM »
Anyone havce a part number for shocks for a 2" lift?
Current:                         Past:
1985 Eagle Wagon            1978 Dodge Omni
2004 Pontiac Vibe             1988 Nissan Sentra
                                      1988 Olds 98 Regency
                                          - 315,000 miles on the original engine/no rebuild
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Offline Gil-SX4

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Re: Rear Spring Lift
« Reply #9 on: May 21, 2006, 12:56:51 AM »
There isn't any, unless some one just did a 2 inch lift and save the part numbers of the ones he used.
Just do like I said or take it to a 4 wheel shop and they will tell you. They will provably try to sell you some KYB or some Rancho shocks witch are not bad at all.
Rick Perry President of The Republic Of Texas,
Wants You.
Enlist in the Texas Arm Forces.



"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands:
     one Nation under God, indivisible, With Liberty and Justice for all."


"Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one and indivisible."

"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government." --Thomas Jefferson

1983 AMC Eagle SX/4
1985 Chevrolet C-10 Silverado
1995 Ford Aspire
1978 Ford Bronco


Murphy's Law
"If there are two or more ways to do something, and one of those ways can result in a catastrophe, then someone will do it".

siguy8

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Re: Rear Spring Lift
« Reply #10 on: May 24, 2006, 07:20:35 PM »
Does anyone have a good pic of the Add-A-Leaf things once they're in? I am wondering what they look like. Thanks.

Offline IowaEagle

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Re: Rear Spring Lift
« Reply #11 on: May 24, 2006, 07:32:02 PM »
Scroll down in this thread to see Gil's set up.  http://forums.amceaglenest.com/index.php?topic=7013.0
Click for Toledo, IA Forecast" border="0" height="100" width="150   


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Offline eagle88

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Re: Rear Spring Lift
« Reply #12 on: May 24, 2006, 09:56:06 PM »



here is the one I used.  It can be seen on the bottom of the spring.  Payed less than 30.00 for it and gave me almost 3 in of lift.  Before that my tires rode inside the wheel wells, and would rub when hitting bumps.  It raised it up to just about stock height.  The rear end is stiff also, can hardly bounce it.

I don't have a manufactorer name, was labeled has a 2000 pound helper spring for pickups.  Bought it at the farm and fleet here in wisconsin
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1999 Ford Explorer
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I'm not advocating capital punishment for stupid people.
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Offline IowaEagle

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Re: Rear Spring Lift
« Reply #13 on: May 24, 2006, 10:09:56 PM »
So does it come with all the mounting hardware?   If I am looking at it right it has its own U-Bolt and plate.  Is it also bolted at the other end?
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Not a Jeep.  Not a Car.  Its an AMC Eagle!

1982 Eagle SX/4 Sport;
1980 Concord DL;
1970 Ambassador 2 Dr HT, SST
2002 Hyundai Santa Fe;
2008 Jeep Patriot Sport - Freedom Drive II

Offline eagle88

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Re: Rear Spring Lift
« Reply #14 on: May 24, 2006, 10:22:26 PM »
it came with all the hardware.  I had to drop the axle from the springs and slide it in between the axle and the springs, has a hole for the locater dowel.  I probably should have replaced the dowel, only half of what went into the axle mount plate was left to lock it into place.  then there were the two u-bolts for right nest to the axle the ends ride free so that they can slide a little bit
1988 AMC Eagle Wagon

1999 Ford Explorer
1997 Chevy Astro
The problem with the world is stupid people.
I'm not advocating capital punishment for stupid people.
I'm just suggesting we remove all the warning labels
and let the problem solve itself.

Quote from a magazine I have.
Owning an amc is like having candy when no one else does


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