And your rig was the talk of the camping grounds, wasn't it?
The admiral and Connie stepping out
- Thread starter bluefury361
- Start date
bluefury361
Old Man with a Hat
Yep....... All those high dollar 5th wheels and motor coaches, and I'm the one playing Q&A. A fellow offered to trade his late model Volvo wagon for the Admiral, straight up trade, (I think he was serious), but I respectfully declined. Could be the day two fools met.
We were home for a day and a half and decided to head down to Gulf shores for Thanksgiving. Stayed for a week and got back yesterday. Damm, this is fun....!
I'll be home long enough to put the new leaf springs on the Admiral as well as a few up grades to Connie, (It's a learning curve), and then we are going back to Gulf Shores for Christmas.
:merrychristmas::sSp_christmas::Santa2:
Well the Merry Christmas to you now
Well the Merry Christmas to you now
commando1
Old Man with a Hat
Where did you decide to go for the leaf springs. I'm next....
bluefury361
Old Man with a Hat
I checked with several sources on the net as well as a couple of local suppliers. Having my original springs re-ached was about $300.00 at a local shop. I would have gone that way if I was restoring the car. Original grooved leafs are no longer available anywhere. But being that I am using the car for heavy load duty I decided to have new springs made. Pete made reference to "St. Louis spring" who is building a HD set for $360.00 shipped. Best deal I found, friendly and knowledgeable on the phone, and quick turn around. I should have them in a week.
Eaton was the highest at over $700.00 plus shipping. I hope they are enjoying their downtime.
commando1
Old Man with a Hat
JUST the info I was looking for at the exact time I needed. Thanks for doing all the grunt work. ☺
Btw, Eaton could care less. They got the heavy truck biz making them money.
Btw, Eaton could care less. They got the heavy truck biz making them money.
$100k...$300k...$500k rigs all over the place are probably telling themselves YOUR the one who's crazy. That whole adventure appeals to me very much... I hope everything turns out right fixing your saggy butt... and safe traveling to you over Christmas.
70bigblockdodge
Old Man with a Hat
Very nice. 
To a RV camping site?
Will.....if you don't mind.
What did you ask them to do beside making a standard set of springs for you? Extra leaf added and/or arched a little more. Would you mind telling us what your rear bumper height is now on the left and right side without anything hooked up to hitch. My FSM says the measurement is taken at the bumper jack position. From the ground to the bottom of the bumper. Also the height of the front bumper at the same positions. And then the measurements at all 4 corners after the new springs are installed. Thanks.
bluefury361
Old Man with a Hat
Of course Bob, what else is there....? :icon_sunny:
It seems the best RV camp grounds are the least advertised ones. I'm learning a lot from the "full timers".
bluefury361
Old Man with a Hat
What St Louis spring is building for me is a 7 leaf, 25X37 replacement spring using solid steel leafs to HD specs. (Factory towing package). Adding an extra leaf would add to much ride height. I expect to add about 1-2" max to that and still maintain level ride while towing.
Where ride height is measured on the body didn't seem that important so I just measured from the ground to the top of each rear wheel opening. 28" disconnected from the trailer now. (Of course that's a 69 Custom Suburban). Currently the trailer drops that to around 24". I'll re-measure when the new springs are installed.
The fellows at St Louis seemed to understand what I was trying to do and assured me the new springs will end up a bit stronger then OEM trailer towing units.
commando1
Old Man with a Hat
I guess this shows how pathetic I am when it comes to my NYB.
My car's *** does not droop.
I have one squeeky bushing that constant lubing will not stop.
The bushings are 40 years old. Changing all of them instead of just the squeeky one is a no-brainer.
Here's where the Devil on one shoulder gets into a fight with the Angel on the other shoulder.
Should I really be buying new springs, too????
1. Ignore the one squeeky bushing altogether and admit to being overly anal.
2..Replace the bushings. Nothing wrong with the leaf springs. Save myself a ton of dough.
3. Do it all and gloat about how "perfect" I do everything.
My car's *** does not droop.
I have one squeeky bushing that constant lubing will not stop.
The bushings are 40 years old. Changing all of them instead of just the squeeky one is a no-brainer.
Here's where the Devil on one shoulder gets into a fight with the Angel on the other shoulder.
Should I really be buying new springs, too????
1. Ignore the one squeeky bushing altogether and admit to being overly anal.
2..Replace the bushings. Nothing wrong with the leaf springs. Save myself a ton of dough.
3. Do it all and gloat about how "perfect" I do everything.
I wouldn't buy new springs. They are holding the car up at the right height so what benefit would new ones have except to empty your wallet? If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
The bushings... Yea I would do that.
The bushings... Yea I would do that.
commando1
Old Man with a Hat
Yes: 0
No: 1
No: 1
Gotta do the springs, after 40 years they've sagged a bit and although you don't notice it it doesn't ride as it should and you're working your shocks to hard...
As noted earlier, I now change them as soon as I get an old car. Then there's that whole body roll discussion again
As noted earlier, I now change them as soon as I get an old car. Then there's that whole body roll discussion again
commando1
Old Man with a Hat
1 to 1
I guess this shows how pathetic I am when it comes to my NYB.
My car's *** does not droop.
I have one squeeky bushing that constant lubing will not stop.
The bushings are 40 years old. Changing all of them instead of just the squeeky one is a no-brainer.
Here's where the Devil on one shoulder gets into a fight with the Angel on the other shoulder.
Should I really be buying new springs, too????
1. Ignore the one squeeky bushing altogether and admit to being overly anal.
2..Replace the bushings. Nothing wrong with the leaf springs. Save myself a ton of dough.
3. Do it all and gloat about how "perfect" I do everything.
Nope.....just add a pair of Flowmaster 40's! LOL!
bluefury361
Old Man with a Hat
Same advice you normally offer...... Change everything. :urkidding:
