Should I get cargo coils, stock coils or variable rate?

I want to replace my rear coil springs, the car just sits too high for my tastes in the rear. I tried to remove the rear springs when I had the car in the air on the lift but they are so tall I couldn't remove them without a spring compressor! So I am thinking I should just get a new pair but the problem is which pair. I have had cargo coils in the past in other cars & they tended to jack the rear up slightly but I don't think it would be as bad as what I have now. The stock coils seem to sit too low on these Skylarks. I don't know what is in there now & I wanted to remove them so I could measure them but like I said with the rear shock bolts removed on both sides & the rear end hanging down I couldn't get these coils out. I also need to make sure my 275's don't rub when I put a normal spring in the rear. So let's see some pictures, what do you have in your car? What should I do?

 

stock. aka the same ones for a 4 door skylark. (per moog manual) [on a chevelle]

I'll try to get a pic of my convertible though it's half buried in the garage.

the convertible used diffrent springs than the coupe. (but same as 4 dr. )[atleast the chevelle did].

this is if you don't mind the factory slighly sagging look the buicks had.

 

I don't think you'll like the cargo coils. Too high and too stiff.

I went with stock type and I have rear air bags so I can adjust the suspension.

 

you can always trim the stockers a little to lower the rear

car looks good to me though

 

I am pretty sure both ends are pigtailed so I don't think that is possible. I think I am going to order some air bags & stock springs so I can level the car out. My understanding is that the stock springs sit a little low although looking at pics it doesn't appear that way.

 

Fish what about loading the trunk with some heavy ballast and heating the springs with a torch .......J

 

I think I would prefer to keep the torch away from the gas tank ray:

 

Not meaning to hijack this thread, but I guess I am...

Nate or Joe,
Here's my dilemma: I am working on a '67 Skylark convertible (300-2, no a/c) that has a rotten frame. I bought a '65 GS convertible frame, and I am prepping it for paint (following Joe's thread - he's my hero!). I bought a set of 2" drop spindles for the front, and now I am trying to figure out what springs to get.

The rear springs changed in '67 and remained the same through '72 (I think). I am using the rear end out of the '67, and I think the '65 springs will work just fine. For the front, I believe the same springs can be used from '64-'72.

I agree with using the "stock" springs as Joe recommends, but what part numbers am I looking for given the '65 frame? Can you look this up in your Moog book Nate?

Also, is there a real difference between Moog and TRW? I believe Federal-Mogul (Moog) bought TRW a few years back. I think I can get a set of TRW front AND rear springs for under $100(!) if the part numbers are right. 5246 front & 5231 rear?

Thanks!,

 

Joe if your planning on using headers, the drop slindles might be an issue. Although i'm not talking from experience with them, just my guess because my car has the 464 and headers and they hand down pretty low. Now if you using manifolds, your good.

Oh and for your springs, I ordered 65 chevelle springs, half the price as our buick parts!! Sonovabitches!!!!

Use see the price of a centerlink for the 65?? almost 200!!!!

 

No headers on this car.

Where did you get your springs, what brand are they, and what part numbers?

That Southwest Speed DS740 centerlink is less than $100 shipped isn't it? Lotsa places selling them way high, and can't vouch for the manufacturer. I'm willing to bet there aren't too many Moogs or TRWs floating around any more. I have an OPG catalog that lists it at $122.35 before shipping. They send out discount codes periodically.

 

Joe 65 chevelle centerlinks work on 65 Larks ? J

 

Fish I know a guy that works as a welder at a hitch shop and he says they drop a wet blanket over any tank while cutting -welding. J

 

I decided to go with air bags & stock springs, that way I can get the exact stance I am looking for. Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

Joe, i have an old Moog book here....Closest matches to the 65 GS rear spring is the #5237 and #5231. They both have a 0.531" wire diameter, but the 5231 is longer and is designed for a bit more weight like a 4 door or a convertible.
Nice thing about these 64-66 rear springs is that you can easily adjust ride height by cutting a coil to lower it, or add shims under it to raise it.

The #5246 front is listed as a HD spring for a 65 Skylark, it should work ok. The 65 GS used a heavier spring, and the Chevelles a lighter spring.

Listings for 67 Skylark give numbers that don't show up in the spec chart.o No:

I've seen good prices on springs from Rockauto, Amazon, and If you want to talk about specs and options, give
http://www.espo.com/
a call. They have decent prices too.

 

That i'm not sure about. I just picked one up with a link JerseySky66 gave me. The link is in a thread of mine looking for parts. I'll look and bring it to the top. Stand by.

Oh and I ordered 65 chevelle spring, V8 with AC. I can look it up in the NPD catalog if you need me to. Just let me know.

 

Thanks Walt! It's puzzling how even though these cars are so similar, brand to brand and model year to medel year, they do have their differences.

 

im pretty sure you can still trim them

 

Really? I was always under the impression that you couldn't if they were pig tailed. Hmmm, so whats the answer I wonder?

 

im not sure myself i though you could even them i could be wrong

 

you can trim them but you have to bend the pigtail back in from what im reading

should be a pretty easy task to do actually

id say a tubing bender would do it or something like that