Your tires look to not be toooo wide. Maybe 225/15x7s... but those Keystone Klassic wheels may have a small offset, like 3.75" and that could even be a 67 rear end which is wider. You're going to have to address the tire positioning, else changing the springs will just lower it onto your tires and they will rub.

 

I went back and looked at the picture of your rear tire. It is quite obvious someone has put a 59.25 rear under there where it should be 57.25 from flange to flange. I would take off those extension shackles and see how it rides just like it is. If it rubs, then you will need to get the correct axle housing and axle under there. Those expension shackles are obviously a stop gap measure to keep the wheel well off the top of the tire.

 

man, that is all kind of greek to me.......let me ask this...is there any problem with me leaving it the way it is? I understand it might not be the safest option, but I kind of like the way it looks.

 

Sorry...we're not trying to overwhelm you.

65-66 Mustangs had a 57.25" wide rear end from the factory. The 67-68s had a rear that was 2" wider (59.25), and is often installed on the earlier cars during 5 lug swaps because 1) It's all the person could find, 2) they wanted to widen the rear 'track', or 3) they intended to use deep offset wheelsand the extra 2" is taken up inside the new wheel.

In your case, it appears that the previous owner installed a wider (67-68) rear end, and then installed the Keystonewheels and wide tires. Thewheels appear to have a narrow backspacing, so it makes them stick out of the wheelwells.

The look is vintage 70s...it's how we set our cars up back then....either using shackles or air shocks.Is there any problem leaving it this way?..of course not...if you like it... cool.

 

thanks for clearing that up....it took me several times to read the two post at the top of this page, but I think that is what I took from it, you just confirmed it. Back to the shackle thing....I am guessing by removing the shackles to take it back to a "normal" rear suspension set up, there is potential for the tires to rub. If they do, what would be some solutions? I know you gave an answer about a reverse leaf spring, and I have never dealt with leaf springs. I understand the concept, but could I just get any leaf and add it to the "stack" of leaf springs? Or is there a common "kit" that is available?

 

Yes, removing the shackles and reinstalling regular rear spring brackets would lower the rear and make the tires rub. The options (to bring the tires under the fenders) are 1) change rear ends to a narrower unit, 2)change wheels to a much larger backspacing (maybe late model 5.7"bs wheels) which would suck them under. Options to lift the car with the existing rear end/tire setup are 1) leave shackles (not preferred), 2) use air shocks (worse choice), or 3)install new, fresh springs with an additional 'helper' spring to lift the rear.

Sorry..there are really no good options to raise the rear end easily and safely.

 

its easy to find ac for a 302 just not a ac that fits under the dash of a classic mustang