I've been toying with the idea of putting the leaf springs - that are currently on my '66 - on my hubby's '73 Mach. The Mach is sagging a bit (original springs), and I need to put lowering springs on my '66 to get that butt down lol. IIRC, my springs are 4 leaf standard eye, and only a few years old. Considering the Mach is quite a bit heavier in the rear (or is it?), would these be sufficient to level her out again? Or should I take advantage of the CJ's sale today and get 4-1/2 leafs? Any opinions/thoughts? Thanks!
I would contact either John at Opentracker or Shaun at Street or Track. Besides selling performance suspension parts they sell top quality stock replacement parts. That's all they do.
It's been a long time since I messed with the 71-73's. (probably last in 1993)
I'm pretty sure the leaf length is longer on the 71-73 than on the 65-70.
That would be the main issue with the swap. I think the rate on the 71-73 is
slightly higher from the factory too, but that's definitely not party killer the
other issue is....
They will fit with possible change where axle sits on spring. That shouldn't matter if you have an automatic, the slip will take up any variation. Take measurements on eyes and center pin on each, then try it.
You know it's a relatively easy operation, and you might be able to save some bucks for other projects or take advantage of that sale and buy new for both.
From my research, the leaf springs are shockingly the same for '65-'73. Weird, I know. Seems like the '71-'73s would require a beefier spring...maybe not because the longer nose offsets the extra weight in the rear?
I'm with GT289, I'm pretty sure the 71/73 leaf springs are slightly longer. I parted out a 71 at one time. It had pretty new rear springs I was going to put in my 66. I called the manufacturer and as I recall they said they were a little longer otherwise I would have used them.
There was something about them (71-73). I don't recall what.
We built exactly 1 of those cars..... so it doesn't surprise me.
I do know the Cougar springs are definitely longer. Unfortunately
that trivia doesn't help.
It's a four pound rate difference from '66 GT to '73 Mach. If you have the performance springs on the '66 it would likely keep the '73 near stock spec, maybe a little lower stance and depending on how much it's sagging might be where you want it for "the look" it has now, unless it's way low. Then you get the ride height you want for the '66 with new springs.
Why shouldn't you get what you want and someone else get the hand-me-down? (insert smiley-winky-nudge,nudge face emoji thing here)
It's not sagging that badly right now, but I'd hate to go through all that work and find out we end up with the same ride height lol.
I consider it payback for taking the carb off the Mach and putting it on my '66. :wink:
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