Have question on Installing new Leaf Springs and Dana

[bcharger]

I just installed the new Dana and leaf springs. I have a new rear leaf spring hanger shackle set to go with the install. My question is after installing the leaf springs, they don't actually go all the way back to the shackle hanger. Intsead of the shackle coming straight down and into the rear leaf spring bushing. it's angled more to the front of the car. I have not inslalled the shocks onto the shock hangers yet. Is this normal and will the weight of the car eventually bring the shakcle more straight down than angled? Brian

[bcharger]

New Dana in. 

[bcharger]

Last one. Brian

[tan top]

to be honest i have never really payed any attention to them in that possition they move forward  i know ,  having said that it looks more of a angle than i can ever remember seeing, measure the length of the new spring against the old. although you have not connected the shocks yet , if they are standard length the axle would drop lower with out them connected, fit the shocks and lower it to the ground slowly the shackle will move back.

[bcharger]

Yes, I'm thinking the same thing. I am going to connect the shocks to the mounting plates and fit the drums and wheels. I'll lower it to the ground and see if that solves the problem. I don't think I have the wrong leaf springs. So I'll bet that when the weight of the car presses down on the spring , it will bow out to normal riding height then I will tighen all the bolts to spec. Brian

[Animal]

I would be inclined to jack up the diff,untill it takes the weight of the car & then see where you are,before assembling all the rest.I am sure when I installed my heavy duty leaves,the shackels were facing straight down. Just my :Twocents:Adam

[firefighter3931]

Brian, what you're describing is normal. as mentioned above....keep the bolts loose and drop the car's weight onto the rear diff and the shacles should move closer to vertical...then tighten everything down. Just put some jackstands under the axle and load the suspension. 

Ron

[Chryco Psycho]

I agree it is normal , with the weight on the diff insead of hanging it will return to the normal position

[bcharger]

Well the Dana is now in and the car is on the ground. The shackles returned to a vertical position once the tires were on and the car was lowered. I then torqued the bolts as per the manual. She looks mean!!!!!! It's real late so the pics would be very dark. I will post pics tommorrow on the look traffic behind me see's. Thanks for all the tips. Brian

[bcharger]

Not the best pic as I need a driveshaft now and can't drive it out of the garage yet. Will have it in a few months. But here is the finished product. It looks killer!!!!!!

[bcharger]

Nice stance also. Brian

[bcharger]

The underside

[bcharger]

Last one

[tan top]

looks good any other modifications planned, or just the Dana & springs and then a propshaft  for now . from what i can see in the pictures your charger looks real nice

[bcharger]

Thanks. I need a new Trunk pan and that's about it for the body. I am getting the Tic Tac Tock this next week and redoing my instrument cluster. I also have a new 2 speed motor coming and just restroed the wiper pivot seals. The dash should look pretty nice when I get it done. I have a four speed conversion I am collecting parts for and should start that late this year. The Dana install took me about a year to do. Between taking my time and military service, I finally got it done.

[TylerCharger69]

Glad you solved the issue...I do know that most of these new suspension components like leaf springs, require a new, different front hangar.  (I guess they are a bit longer than the originals.  That's what I got from P.S.T. and mine required the modded front hangars.....Nice stance by the way!!!   Oh....ya might want to kill that rust underneath the left side trunk floor....lmao!!!    Sorry  just paying attention

[bcharger]

Yes, I need a new trunk pan. After the 4 speed install it's the next big project. 

[bcharger]

I bought my leaf springs from Just Springs. I am very happy with how they fit. I have heard that some of the leaf springs are not made of the best quality but for the money they are great. They are also 7 leafs on each side. I know the originals had 6 on one side and 7 on the other. Doesn't bother me that mine is not stock. Mine is not a numbers matching anyway so I can do what I want with it. I am however trying to keep most of the parts I buy as original as possible. The car is sitting on brand new front componets and a everything in the back is completely brand new (brakes, rear, cables, springs, shackle kit, ubolts). I even mounted the drived side exhaust hanger and will try to get the exhaust system back to an original r/t with the exhaust tips and resonators.