Custom springs or re-arch?

[Trevor]

i have a '63 gladiator with a 305 chevy and i want to be able to run 35's..what are the pros/cons of re-arching the springs? they seem to be in decent shape..and does anyone know what it would cost to re-arch em or have custom ones made?

[johnwaynejeep]

I've heard from several sources that re-arching your springs will work but all you've done is mask the problem. The springs will eventually settle back to their original position within a year. I priced a re-arch for my 85 GW and it was like $300-$350 for a re-arch and only a few hundred more for a lift kit that came with new springs. I'm sure your situation will be slightly different cause of the age and rarity of your FSJ.
Good Luck

[Tad]

Read My Rearch Adventure - 1970 Wagoneer

tadsal's spring booboo (http://www.ifsja.org/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=2&t=007724)

[RustyJeep]

Hey, do you live in Byron Center by any chance? I have seen a 63 on collector car trader online, with a 305/700r4/Dana300 in Byron Center,so I was just thinkin....you're not too far away then!

Seriously, though, I had custom front springs made at Grand Rapids Spring for 115 a piece. they were 4" lift springs. I believe that your 63 has the same spring setup as my 73, so you could just go there, as they would have the dimensions on file. I did a shackle flip in the rear, and could easily put 35s under mine, but I went with 33's instead.

[ February 01, 2002: Message edited by: RustyJeep ]</p>

[Trevor]

rusty, that's the jeep i bought :D I live in the north end of town though

[RustyJeep]

Sweet! Another close by!

[Thomas DeBusk]

Thought I'd throw this in.

I just had a additional leaf added to my springs. Didn't do anything to the old springs.

Picked my Wag up a couple of inches for sure, but now the handling is a bit tippy. And it's now obvious the new springs don't match the curve of the old pack.

Anybody else take the route? And did it result in twitchy handling like mine? Or is that just a function of having a higher ceter of gravity?

[jeepbob]

My wag handles fine. getting 35's under a early with custom springs or a SOA will require major trimming. It was hard enough to get the 33's to clear on my 65.