Raising the Backend

Discussion in 'The whoa and the sway.' started by James66Skylark, Aug 14, 2017.

  1. James66Skylark

    James66Skylark Well-Known Member

    Would like my back end to sit a couple inches higher then stock. Right now it's sitting about 2 inches lower. The shocks and springs are original. The car guys all around this area told me to take the car to this specialty place and the owner told me to get a good set of shocks and heavy duty springs. Problem is they don't make a heavy duty spring for my 1966 Skylark, they do make them for 67 and up.

    Just looking for idea's. I don't want to spend the money on a coil over system.

    Thanks.
     
  2. TrunkMonkey

    TrunkMonkey Well-Known Member

    Check with QA1. They have various sized springs.
    http://www.qa1.net/suspension/springs

    I used springs from a 1965 F-85 four door in my 1964 Special and they increased the height about 2 inches.
    (40 years ago)

    [​IMG]
     
  3. wkillgs

    wkillgs Gold Level Contributor

    Moog 6197's are the hd replacements for 64-66. They will make it a bit higher than stock. Station wagon springs will make it much too high and stiff, I wouldn't recommend those.
    If the 6197's aren't high enough for you, spring spacers can be put between the spring and spring mount, or just make some spacers.
    The springs are only about $60 from most suppliers.
     
  4. James66Skylark

    James66Skylark Well-Known Member

  5. James66Skylark

    James66Skylark Well-Known Member

    I just checked them out and found a set on ebay same part number as you posted. When I did the search for my '66 the search showed it wasn't compatible.
     
  6. Mike B in SC

    Mike B in SC Well-Known Member

    Just put air bags in your springs, then you can set the height right where you want it.
     
  7. James66Skylark

    James66Skylark Well-Known Member

    Considering that. I put the link up to a system I found. Do you know if they last or how the install is? it's either that or go with those moog coils.
     
  8. BuickV8Mike

    BuickV8Mike SD Buick Fan

    Springs...and if you want add the spacers.
     
  9. Mike B in SC

    Mike B in SC Well-Known Member

    Those look like the ones I put in my 68. They have been in for four years with no problems. They aren't hard to install. I took my time and did it in a few hours.
     
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  10. TrunkMonkey

    TrunkMonkey Well-Known Member

    If the "compatability list" was the ebay item, that is populated by the seller and cannot be considered the "last word" on fit/use. :)
     
    James66Skylark likes this.
  11. James66Skylark

    James66Skylark Well-Known Member

    Good call. Thanks.
     
  12. Mike B in SC

    Mike B in SC Well-Known Member

    I bought mine from Summit.
     
  13. gstewart

    gstewart Well-Known Member

    Eaton Spring could make a pair of springs to your specs - stock with an extra coil or two.
     
  14. James66Skylark

    James66Skylark Well-Known Member

    Thanks for all the suggestions and information .

    I've ordered up a set of those Moog springs along with a set of newrear shocks. Currently my car has the orginal springs and shocks still on it. Probably a good idea to change them out. Car currently sits 2-2.5 inches lower in the back. If I don't like the ride height with new springs and shocks I'll look at getting spacers or air bags.
     
  15. wkillgs

    wkillgs Gold Level Contributor

    I have an old Moog catalog, so I have the application data and spring specs. I spent lots of time picking the right springs for my 66's!
    The Moog 6197 isn't listed (on some sites) for the 66 Skylark because it's a bit heavier than the stock Buick springs. It is listed for the 66 Chevelle tho.
    The 5231 and 5237 are for the stock 66 Skylark. Those will sit lower.
    Springs are cheap. Start there and add spacers or air bags later if you want to go higher. Summit, Jegs, Amazon, Rockauto (use discount code), have springs for under $60.

    Here's a pic of my red car with those springs and 255/60-15 tires: Red GS April 2010.jpg
     
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  16. James66Skylark

    James66Skylark Well-Known Member

    Thanks for the information. I ordered a set of the Moog 6197, the cost is $100.00 CAD. Only one place in this area had them. The rest wanted close to $200.00 plus a few weeks to ship. I could order them off Amazon.ca or Sumit if need be. My front end sits a little lower as the front shocks and coil are original. Also the passenger side front body mount is almost gone. Not much left of it so that side tends to lean a bit. I'm starting from the back end and working my way up. Can't stand to see the car sit low in the back lol.

    Beautiful car btw. I really like how it sits.
     
  17. wkillgs

    wkillgs Gold Level Contributor

    Thanks!
    The front springs take a lot more effort to replace...For a temp fix, you can get those twist-in spacers to raise the front a little. Not a great method, but will at least get you level.
    They're made by My Gasket, pn 1282. I never tried the rubber spacers so don't know if they work better/worse.

    https://www.holley.com/products/suspension_and_chassis/suspension_components/
     
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  18. James66Skylark

    James66Skylark Well-Known Member

    Ok thanks for that. Some things are a little more difficult then others. I changed front and back shocks on my corvette in my driveway. Took about 1 hour to do fronts and 1.5 to do backs. I didn't have to remove the tire to do the fronts which saved on time.

    As for my Skylark, I think that front body mount on the passenger side is causing a bit of sag, not much, but enough for me to notice.
     
  19. Eric

    Eric Founders Club Member

    I just use the Air Bags in my 69 vert. They have lasted 10 years. They are a piece of cake to install. You can adjust them to what
    ever height you want the rear end. New springs will give you one fixed height and you will have to live with it and will be out
    a lot more money that way. I think I got mine from either Summit or Jegs or maybe I got them direct from the manufacture.
    I can't remember the name of them. Maybe AirLift...hummmm? They have air lines and air fittings just like a tire valve.
    I run my air lines back to the rear bumper and there are two tabs that have a hole where you can attach the fitting valves.
    Then just use plastic ties to hold the lines along the back frame from the bumper fittings to the air bags...get it?
    You can't use them in the front springs obviously...as there is a shock running through the center of the spring.
    I just looked them up...yes that's it Air Lift 1000's ....www.airliftcompany.com
     
    Last edited: Aug 15, 2017
    Mike B in SC likes this.
  20. James66Skylark

    James66Skylark Well-Known Member

    Yes it seems like a good system. I paid $100 for the spring and the install will cost me $80. To buy the Air lift 1000 here is $145 plus shipping and tax. So I'm close to the same cost. The reason I opted for the springs is because they are original to the car and I wanted the shocks done as well. If I don't get the rid height I want I'll be getting the Air Lift kit.
    Thanks for the suggestion.
     

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