dfire25

Hi everyone,

I'm looking to replace my rear coil springs and shocks on my 71 442. I have air shocks right now that are leaking and want to get rid of them. I'm looking at these AC Delco springs and KYB shocks from RockAuto. Will they give me a nice ride height? I'm looking for a little higher then stock, just a little more raise in the back. Thanks for your input.

https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/mor...082&cc=1213490

https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/mor...377&cc=1213490

dfire25

Yes I know the shocks won't raise the back end, my main question was will those springs raise it. My air shocks are shot so I'd like to raise it with new springs instead of new air shocks.

dfire25

Oops! Lol what need to your post oldcutlass?

rootney

I ordered a set of Vista cruiser springs from Autozone. Duralast brand is the same part numbers as Moog. I think there made by Moog.
Anyway, I got a nice 2" lift. They are the same height spring, but a higher spring rate, so the car's weight doesn't compress it as much. I was very pleased.

oldcutlass

I deleted my post as I made an assumption to what you were referencing to on the shocks and springs, sorry. If you go to OPGI and lookup the stock moog spring, then plug the Moog number into Rockauto. I like the KYB shocks. I also run station wagon springs but it will raise the car a bunch.

dfire25

Lol that was strange. I was wondering what happened to it. Anyway I'll give that a shot. Thanks

dfire25

I'll give that a shot too. Did you just tell them rear springs for a 71 Vista? Depending on who you get, my Autozone guys aren't that bright.

rootney

I went a bit farther. I looked up the '71 vista on the Moog site. They have details like spring height uncompressed, height in the car, spring rate etc..
I did some reverse engineering on the numbers and got a theoretical height difference of like 1 7/8" rise over stock cutlass springs.
Then, I looked up '71 cruiser on Autozone. The Duralast spring had the same root part number as moog for the cruiser.
Now I'm feelin' pretty confident to walk into AZ and purchase. Things worked out great.
So, look up the moog number, and have it with you when dealing with the Autozone customer service person.

Good luck.

George

RetroRanger

I got the stock moog HD springs for the rear, they had the highest listed ride height on the moog site ( for cutlass)

I also got the same for the fr of the car. The car sat perfectly level fr to rear when I measured w a tape.

I add 1" spring spacer in the rear to achieve the stance I wanted with out the harshness of a higher rate spring. The moog HD springs are rated slightly higher than the fe2 springs from back in the day.

The car rides good IMHO it's not soft like a Camry but it's not ruff like an f350 either. I also have 1.25" sway bar in fr and 1" in the rear.

dfire25

So I ended up going with the AC Delco springs and KYB shocks from RockAuto and I couldn't be happier! They raised my rear end (the cars that is) a good 2" from what I had. Some may think its too high, but I think its perfect. I plan on putting bigger rims (17's) and tires on it eventually, and these give me plenty of clearance. The only unfortunately thing is that I think it lowered my front just a little because of the weight being push forward a touch. I'll guess I'll just have to replace the front springs too

firefrost gold

looks nice ! before and after shots would be nice . just saying

dfire25

The before shots were 2" lower lol, just kidding. I don't have any real before shots because I had air shocks in my other pics. During my engine project one of the air shocks blew from jacking the car up in the front (they were old). I went from around 25" from the ground to the top quarter lip to 27".

oldcutlass

Looks good, not too high in my opinion.

dfire25

Thanks!

61reoldsman

I'd like to know what Inline Tube uses for rear springs for their Cutlass', they always look about perfect ,they list one part number for rear springs in their catalog but they're charging $120 pr.MOOG 6321 are what I've read a lot of guys have used with a spring rate of 119 lbs and an installed height of 8.50",$80-99 on ebay.

copper128

$55.79 on RockAuto.com

61reoldsman

I know that this is an old thread but some guys may like to know what springs that work well on the rear of our 70 coupes to give a stock looking ride height . I'm on my third set of springs including the ones that came on the car and I've found the right spring for me , it's Moog 5401.This particular spring which has lists as for 68-69 Cutlass but surprisingly not 70-72 which is funny because all the frames are the same from my understanding.This spring is listed at 129lb spring rate , 727 lb load with a 7.5 " installed height with a 0.531 bar diameter.The two most common springs that are close are the 6319 and 6321 with 119 lb spring rate ,616 & 689 load but 9" and 8.5" installed height , same bar diameter.So the 5401 is a little bit more firm but an inch lower install height.And for those that are shopping around I got mine from Summit for $66 U.S .I will post a couple of pictures after they"ve settled. Previous springs I had in there were Moog 5413 , 167lb ,740 lb load ,0.593 bar dia.,8.5 " install height.