How to properly raise the back end

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Old Oct 15, 2014 | 12:00 PM
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How to properly raise the back end

I just installed new springs in the front of my project 66 442, which raised the front end about 2". I now need to raise the back end about 2" to match the front. (yes, I am one of the weird ones that like a car raised up a bit rather than lowered) What is the best way to achieve it? Taller springs with the same spring rate, or the same length springs with a stiffer spring rate? Combination of both? Approx how much additional spring rate would be needed to get the 2"?
I would still like to have a decent ride. Thanks for any guidance you can provide.
Old Oct 15, 2014 | 12:05 PM
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What did you use for springs in the front? I know when I rebuilt my front end and installed new springs it brought it up to factory ride height but all it took was installing new springs in the rear to level it out.. Which I knew had to be done anyway replacing 46 yr old springs.
Old Oct 15, 2014 | 01:20 PM
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Originally Posted by RandyS
I just installed new springs in the front of my project 66 442, which raised the front end about 2". I now need to raise the back end about 2" to match the front. (yes, I am one of the weird ones that like a car raised up a bit rather than lowered) What is the best way to achieve it? Taller springs with the same spring rate, or the same length springs with a stiffer spring rate? Combination of both? Approx how much additional spring rate would be needed to get the 2"?
I would still like to have a decent ride. Thanks for any guidance you can provide.
Taller springs with the same rate will give you about the same ride quality. Same height springs with a higher rate will be stiffer at ride height.
Old Oct 15, 2014 | 01:28 PM
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WHen I lifted my car, cause I'm weird also, I used Moog CC507 in the rear and Moog 5272 in the front. I don't remember what ends are on your rear springs but you can cross the numbers here:

http://www.moog-suspension-parts.com...il_Springs.asp
Old Oct 15, 2014 | 05:23 PM
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Originally Posted by oldcutlass
WHen I lifted my car, cause I'm weird also, I used Moog CC507 in the rear and Moog 5272 in the front. I don't remember what ends are on your rear springs but you can cross the numbers here:

http://www.moog-suspension-parts.com...il_Springs.asp

Eric, the CC507 spring shows it has pigtail at both ends. I thought the 67 took the same springs as a 66, which has the pigtail bottom and tangential top?

Last edited by RandyS; Oct 15, 2014 at 05:27 PM.
Old Oct 15, 2014 | 05:29 PM
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Originally Posted by 68_convert
What did you use for springs in the front? I know when I rebuilt my front end and installed new springs it brought it up to factory ride height but all it took was installing new springs in the rear to level it out.. Which I knew had to be done anyway replacing 46 yr old springs.
I bought the front springs from a member on here about a year ago. He mentioned that they were too tall for his preference. He didn't have the part number for them.
Old Oct 15, 2014 | 06:55 PM
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Originally Posted by RandyS
Eric, the CC507 spring shows it has pigtail at both ends. I thought the 67 took the same springs as a 66, which has the pigtail bottom and tangential top?
That's why I said to cross them with the proper ends on the moog chart, I didn't remember if the 66 ends were different. What I do know is the specs for my rear springs worked well for my setup. The chart I posted above can be sorted by any column.
Old Oct 16, 2014 | 06:52 AM
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Originally Posted by RandyS
Eric, the CC507 spring shows it has pigtail at both ends. I thought the 67 took the same springs as a 66, which has the pigtail bottom and tangential top?
It depends on which axle the 67 has. The Type O axle (which was factory installed in 1967) uses the springs with pigtails at both ends, like the 68-72 cars.
Old Oct 16, 2014 | 07:36 AM
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I am pretty sure all 67 rears took the newer style spring ends. I have 67's (original rears) with both 10 and 12 bolt covers and the springs are the same. The OP needs to be sure what rear is in the car. I got my springs from Detroit Eaton. They were very helpful on the phone and sold me exactly what I wanted.
Old Oct 16, 2014 | 08:35 AM
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Does anyone have the specs for the stock 442 rear spring in '66?
Old Oct 16, 2014 | 12:46 PM
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Originally Posted by RandyS
Does anyone have the specs for the stock 442 rear spring in '66?
I used Moog variable rate Vista Cruiser springs on mine. Now I just need to get the fronts changed....
Tim
Old Oct 17, 2014 | 08:00 AM
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Originally Posted by tmaleck
I used Moog variable rate Vista Cruiser springs on mine. Now I just need to get the fronts changed....
Tim
Do you know the Moog part #?
Old Oct 17, 2014 | 08:37 AM
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tmaleks car is also a 67. If you call Moog and get cross reference of the CC507 to the proper ends that fit your car you'll be golden. The CC507 is a station wagon spring.
Old Oct 17, 2014 | 12:45 PM
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Originally Posted by RandyS
Does anyone have the specs for the stock 442 rear spring in '66?
Anyone?
Old Oct 17, 2014 | 12:50 PM
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I have a set of new springs out of a 66 442 chassis that I bought that was all redone. They have had no driving time and no weight other than the chassis. Something we used to do years ago to get a few inches to clear tires but not get too high was us used station wagon springs. 64-66 springs are different than the 67 and newer springs. The used station wagon springs always seemed to do the trick nicely.

If your interested in these new ones I have let me know. I would sell them for $50 plus the ride.

email direct at lemoldsnut@aol.com

or call me 8 am to 8 pm west coast time 541-815-4363

Thanks
Larry
Old Oct 24, 2014 | 07:48 PM
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Here, make it any height you want.

Scott
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Old Feb 15, 2015 | 10:33 AM
  #17  
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3" lift

I put in the Moog 5385 and it didn’t seem to lift it much more than the old ones but was a little stiffer.. I wanted to do away with the air shocks and have a smoother ride so I put in a 3” lift under the spring with a 3” shock extender. Rides a lot smoother however, now I have a lot of daylight in there, Need to find some meat for the rear and maybe get rid of the 14” rims. Not sure if it was the right way but it worked.


1970 Cutlass S 350 Rocket rust bucket
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