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Progressive springs on a cruiser?

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Old 05-11-2012, 01:23 PM
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wgc68nyc
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Default Progressive springs on a cruiser?

I recently replaced the front and rear shocks (KYB Excel G) on my 68 and noticed that the bushings in my leaf springs and my coil spring insulators were totally shot. The plan was to replace everything as the parts arent that expensive and why do this twice.

My plan was to get stand duty leaf springs with rubber bushings and progressive rate front springs and rubber insulators:

http://www.cjponyparts.com/leaf-spri...-1968/p/LSK13/

http://www.cjponyparts.com/scott-dra...-1970/p/CSPR2/

I am going for ride comfort over performance since I plan to start doing some long road trip soon and my ride is tuned fairly mild but thought the progressive springs might be good since they are suppose to be soft at first.

That said will they pair poorly with the softer shocks and standard leaf springs? I dont want to throw the handling out of wack. Is there anything else I should be doing?
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Old 05-11-2012, 07:15 PM
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2+2GT
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The whole point of a progressive rate coil is a smooth boulevard ride and good handling.

I would go with GT rear leaf springs, though, because you are probably using modern radial tires that are much larger and heavier than the original donuts.

Glazier/Nolan sells these for under $200 for springs, U bolts, eye bolts, and shackles, so it's not like you're spending a lot of money.

Last edited by 2+2GT; 05-11-2012 at 07:17 PM.
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Old 05-12-2012, 03:32 PM
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wgc68nyc
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Originally Posted by 2+2GT
The whole point of a progressive rate coil is a smooth boulevard ride and good handling.

I would go with GT rear leaf springs, though, because you are probably using modern radial tires that are much larger and heavier than the original donuts.

Glazier/Nolan sells these for under $200 for springs, U bolts, eye bolts, and shackles, so it's not like you're spending a lot of money.
Would something like these 4.5 work...there would be a one inch drop in the rear but a bit stiffer

http://www.cjponyparts.com/leaf-spri...-1968/p/LSK19/
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Old 05-12-2012, 04:08 PM
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actually I found the 4.5 with stock eyes which is probably the way I would go

http://www.mustangsplus.com/xcart/19...tml?quantity=1

Anybody have 4.5s? Figure for long road trips my trunk will be packed plus I keep a lot of tools and stuff in the trunk.
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Old 05-12-2012, 04:23 PM
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69mach1377
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I used 4.5s with stock height and wish is was a bit lower, too much space between the tire and wheel opening.
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Old 05-12-2012, 04:39 PM
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wgc68nyc
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Originally Posted by 69mach1377
I used 4.5s with stock height and wish is was a bit lower, too much space between the tire and wheel opening.
Would you say mid eye which drops one inch may have worked better?

I am going to copy this guy but if the back was down an inch it would probably look great and the 4.5s would keep it there even with some weight.

https://mustangforums.com/forum/6504323-post6.html


Last edited by wgc68nyc; 05-12-2012 at 04:40 PM. Reason: pic
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Old 05-13-2012, 03:44 PM
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MonsterBilly
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I have the 4.5 mideye and I love them. They are a little stiff with just me in the car but add another person and it smooths out. I love the stance as well. I will post a pic in a couple min.
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Old 05-14-2012, 07:45 AM
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kenash
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Hi,
When I did my suspension about 8-9 years ago, I went with Eibach progressive rate front springs and 4 leaf reverse eye rear leafs in the rear. These have served me well. My wheel combo is 225 X 60 X 15 BFGs. As 2+2GT eluded, the progressive rate spring works just as it implies. The more weight transfer, the more resistance it provides. I would not go 5 leaf on the street. I think it be too harsh for the average butt. LOL!
Attached Thumbnails Progressive springs on a cruiser?-ne-ne-s-dream.jpg  
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Old 05-14-2012, 12:20 PM
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wgc68nyc
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Monsterbilly some pics would be helpful.

I am starting to think 4.5s maybe too stiff whereas my current 43yr old 4s are probably just really worn. I also noted that that all my bushing and the front spring insulators look like mummy parts. I will take some pics of my stance in the coming days but with everything but the shocks being worn who knows where I will end up.
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Old 05-14-2012, 12:22 PM
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Originally Posted by kenash
Hi,
When I did my suspension about 8-9 years ago, I went with Eibach progressive rate front springs and 4 leaf reverse eye rear leafs in the rear. These have served me well. My wheel combo is 225 X 60 X 15 BFGs. As 2+2GT eluded, the progressive rate spring works just as it implies. The more weight transfer, the more resistance it provides. I would not go 5 leaf on the street. I think it be too harsh for the average butt. LOL!
Nice everything in that pic. That said that is a little lower than I like.
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