HD leaf springs vs stock leaf springs

[Ultrasummer]

Me again. I have the 1961 Chrysler Newport 4 door with the 361. Just looking this thing over, noticing it sits kind of low. When pondering if a new set of leaf springs might do it some good along with 4 new shocks, I read what I could on leaf springs on the forum. Pretty sure I have just regular plain jane leaf springs for this cruiser. I counted the leafs and thought there were 5 but I may have missed one translating to the 6 that come with the stock leaf springs. So my question is, would there ever be a reason why a 61 Chrysler Newport would come with HD leaf springs? Not sure what I'm going to do regarding shocks, vs leaf springs, vs both. Just wondering if there would be any benefit or why someone would need HD leaf springs on a car like this.

 

[furious70]

Shocks with not change ride height unless they are air shocks

 

[Ultrasummer]

Shocks with not change ride height unless they are air shocks

Thanks for the reply. I should have clarified that. This car was a barn find and sat for many years. I was just thinking being 58 or so years old, it probably deserves new shocks and possibly even new leaf springs.

 

[furious70]

Gotcha. I'd definitely put new shocks on for sure

 

[SIPLOWGUY]

Shocks with not change ride height unless they are air shocks

Glad to see someone agree with me! I've had a hard time convincing people of this.

 

[polara71]

Ive always said in this board one of the first things I did to a newly acquired old car was the suspension. That always included replacing the springs regardless of how they appeared. The more leafs the spring assembly has will add rigidity to the ride. It will also handle more load, in other words you could load up the trunk with less sag.
Replace the springs and the shock, you will be glad you did. The HD isnt necessary.

 

[Big_John]

Replacing the leaf springs and shocks is a good idea. HD isn't needed.

 

[ayilar]

I have replaced springs on a few fuselage C-bodies. HD does make the ride stiffer. If your car was originally equipped with regular springs and you decide to replace them, I would select the same kind that you originally had.

 

[Fury1969WI]

Are you sure it's the spring and not the body mounts or shackle? IDK how much rust you're dealing with and totally unfamiliar with the underside of a '61 anything, just trying to help you diagnose the cause of the sag. later 60s thru 70s Chrysler products the rear spring mounts would rust off/end up thru trunk pans, etc. I'm in the severe rust belt here (S. Wisconsin). Probably springs and if those are 64 year old parts won't hurt. Good luck!

 

[Toolmanmike]

Me again. I have the 1961 Chrysler Newport 4 door with the 361. Just looking this thing over, noticing it sits kind of low. When pondering if a new set of leaf springs might do it some good along with 4 new shocks, I read what I could on leaf springs on the forum. Pretty sure I have just regular plain jane leaf springs for this cruiser. I counted the leafs and thought there were 5 but I may have missed one translating to the 6 that come with the stock leaf springs. So my question is, would there ever be a reason why a 61 Chrysler Newport would come with HD leaf springs? Not sure what I'm going to do regarding shocks, vs leaf springs, vs both. Just wondering if there would be any benefit or why someone would need HD leaf springs on a car like this.

Answering the question in your title, HD springs usually just have an extra leaf. If stock springs are 5 leaf, the HD's are usually 6.

 

[ayilar]

Answering the question in your title, HD springs usually just have an extra leaf. If stock springs are 5 leaf, the HD's are usually 6.

On the 1970 Polara, it is 5 vs. 7 if memory serves.

 

[Toolmanmike]

On the 1970 Polara, it is 5 vs. 7 if memory serves.

That could very well be. C bodies are way bigger than the A and early B bodies I have owned. I never got under my Newport to look and count.

 

[Ultrasummer]

Are you sure it's the spring and not the body mounts or shackle? IDK how much rust you're dealing with and totally unfamiliar with the underside of a '61 anything, just trying to help you diagnose the cause of the sag. later 60s thru 70s Chrysler products the rear spring mounts would rust off/end up thru trunk pans, etc. I'm in the severe rust belt here (S. Wisconsin). Probably springs and if those are 64 year old parts won't hurt. Good luck!

Rust doesn't seem to be the issue. Finally going to post some pics of it.

 

[JimmyG]

Okay, so this is quite a surprise! I have the exact same car and have been doing a considerable amount of work on it in my spare time for several years. Heavier springs were on the wagons and on the cop cars. I find the spring change improves the ride. The shackle rubbers are probably shot and are available. I built mine to mimic the police package of the mid 70's. 7 leaves are common for this, as is the extra half leaf on the one side. A nice touch is to acquire a front sway bay from a New Yorker or wagon as they bolt right in. Your 361 is a baby 383 making parts easy. Your A745 transmission is a bit of an oddball these days, but they function well. I have been able to acquire several "spares". If you watch, repair parts are available but not plentiful. These transmission were also used in smaller trucks. So, to answer your original question, upgrade the springs, look for cracks as they tend to crack above the axle, replace the rubbers, and do all 4 shocks due to their age and for the sake of doing the full job properly.

 

[Ultrasummer]

Okay, so this is quite a surprise! I have the exact same car and have been doing a considerable amount of work on it in my spare time for several years. Heavier springs were on the wagons and on the cop cars. I find the spring change improves the ride. The shackle rubbers are probably shot and are available. I built mine to mimic the police package of the mid 70's. 7 leaves are common for this, as is the extra half leaf on the one side. A nice touch is to acquire a front sway bay from a New Yorker or wagon as they bolt right in. Your 361 is a baby 383 making parts easy. Your A745 transmission is a bit of an oddball these days, but they function well. I have been able to acquire several "spares". If you watch, repair parts are available but not plentiful. These transmission were also used in smaller trucks. So, to answer your original question, upgrade the springs, look for cracks as they tend to crack above the axle, replace the rubbers, and do all 4 shocks due to their age and for the sake of doing the full job properly.

Hell yeah. The pleasant surprise about this car is, the seller said the transmission leaked. He never did have it on the road. It was going to be his project car but I guess he got distracted with other things and never did anything to it. So now that I have it, transmission fluid is full, looks and smells good, and I can't find any leaks......yet. I haven't had mine on the road yet but it does run fine. Before doing anything I pulled the old gas tank out and replaced with new. Now onto new leaf springs (ordered and should be here soon) and new shocks. Besides that, I see they have done the old trick of bypassing the heater core. Luckily on this model it's easy to get to. And finally pulling the front seat out and taking it to get redone by a professional. This car is a real head turner.

 

[ayilar]

@Ultrasummer -- great to read on your 1961 Newport, would love to see more pics and hear more about its story.

I read a little about it here, but it' be great to learn more. There are tons of FCBO members in Indiana, so I hope to see your car at some point. @david hill @RWCearley @fury fan @Rexer are among the most prolific posters.

 

[fury fan]

That's a decent-looking car. Get it over to those Frog Follies!

 

[wyrmrider]

I vote for SW springs you can take them apart and buil yoUR OWN pack clean and spraywith dry mol lube and use plastic full length inner liners makes them slide not stick
I;d use a Cordoba s rear sway after putting LATE C body torsion brs up front and that front sway before the ear sway we want no oversteer It's not a Porschea
anyone KNOW A SOURCE FOR pc sHOCKS

 

[JimmyG]

The torsion bar length would need careful measurement prior to doing that, as the 61 has a different mounting member and I suspect bar length than later C bodies. Measure twice,...cut once!

 

[Ultrasummer]

The torsion bar length would need careful measurement prior to doing that, as the 61 has a different mounting member and I suspect bar length than later C bodies. Measure twice,...cut once!

I hadn't given sway bars much thought up to this point but might be worth looking into. Thanks