Leaf spring swap

[belvedere666]

Searched for answers but this seems a little more specific than a search will allow for.

I happened across a set of Leaf springs from a 1950 Plymouth Suburban.

Tomorrow i will attempt to install them onto my 1950 Special Deluxe Sedan.

I know there will be differences but i have no experience with this.

Anyone know what i might be dealing with as far as the way it sits and rides?

I found a chart that shows the differences in numbers but i don't know what it might mean when it's put into play.

right now i have a 2 inch block lowering the car. Will these springs make it higher? will it, or can it, give me a smoother ride.. etc...?

Same length/width. A little more arch. an extra leaf. spring pack is thicker. higher spring capacity.

 

 

 

Edited March 11, 2016 by belvedere666

[dpollo]

I think you will find that the Suburban springs have either heavier leaves or more of them as the chart above implies.

Until I saw that chart I was unaware of the difference in the  arch. If you want the low ride then the three passenger 1950 spring seems the way to go.  Given that you have Suburban springs I think you will find the ride a little stiffer.  This is not exactly a "fun"

job. Good luck with it.

[pflaming]

I wasn't planning on salvaging the rear springs on my suburban parts car, maybe I should. I removed, disassembled, removed one leaf on my truck. That was a lot of work! It lowered the body 2"'s for a better stance, ride, and lowered the center go gravity so it corners better, no lean.

H,m,m,m.

[belvedere666]

Switched out the passenger side leafs today.

The centering pin in the suburban leafs moves the axle about 3/4 inch forward.

The springs raise the car up about 3 whole inches.

when you push down on the bumper it is noticeably stiffer.

This swap would probably work out well if you were looking to get a nose diving hot rod effect on a business coupe or something.

Definitely not what i'm going for.

putting the old one back on today.

[DJ194950]

My 50 4 dr. Ply. had stocks springs that sat at a level lower than stock original but it was from just being old and losing their strength. Rode ok ,but over bigger bumps the newer shocks could not control the bounce and rough ride.

I found through internet search some air shocks for about $65 delivered that bolted right on. The hard part was routing the air lines into the trunk air filler valve! Added just enough air pressure to bare lift the rear height.

 

Works great smoothed out the bumps and helped greatly with body roll in corners!

 

Suppose it depends on just what your trying to accomplish.

 

DJ