SS springs vs XHD

[smallbigblock]

I know, I know I've read many threads here about this question.  Based on those threads I decided to go with XHD springs.  I called Mancini to order them and found out that shipping to OR was going to be $65 ea. That makes a set about $330.  When I can buy SS's from summit for about $100 dollars less shipped I'm reevaluating my decision.

This is for a street car and I wanted a more stock look (not to much rake).  My question is what would a set of 2800# SS do on my 3400# 67 Dart (assuming that's what it will weight when done)??

        Is that safe?
        Would it reduce the spring arch some?
        Any other problem's I overlooked?

Thanks

[joesnow]

My brother-inlaw put a set of #2800 on his 1970 4 dr Valiant. It rides nice with no complaints. It still right also. higher than worn stock springs with alittle rack. I put the same #2800 SS on my '65 barracuda also. I woul not bother with xh unless I was strickly going stock.

[jbarker]

I bought XHD springs from Mancini.  Shipping was $65 for the pair, not $65 apiece.  You may want to double check the shipping price, cause it would make a big difference.  Hope this helps.
-Jay

[smallbigblock]

That would make a big difference.  The guy told me ea, but maybe he goofed.  Thanks I'll check again

[acpat]

XHD springs look horrible ...................no rake looks like your grandmas car...........After putting xhd on my 66 belvedere last week I now know why all these cars had shakles and air shocks. Just FYI Mancini has a whole batch of XHD springs that are junk. My buddy put a set on his GTX from them and the rear bumper almost hit the ground. I would do SS springs from summit or jegs

[6pkScamp]

Got the 2800 from summit, they ride great. And a whole lot cheaper. Raised the car about 1 1/2"

[smallbigblock]

Yeah, I have been thinking about it.  I'm leaning toward the SS right now.  On my car it will probably raise it a lot more than 1 1/2" cause I had the most worn-out 6 banger spings I've seen.

Don't mind the rear up a little, just don't want it way high.

[CA Duster 383]

I've had the "A" body 3400 lb S/S spring on my last 69 Barracuda and the lift was about 3"
until I added a set of adjustable front spring hangers.  That addition allowed me to lower
the rear 2" and still clear a set of 275/65/15 TA's on 7x15 ralley wheels.
These are the 002/003 springs I think.

On my new project 74 Duster 383 BB I am going with a set of "B" body 3400 lb S/S springs,
they do not have as much arch as the "A" body springs but will fit just fine.
These are the 456/457 springs.

Cost from Bob Mazzolini Racing was about $225 picked up at his shop in Riverside CA.

[qkcuda]

I have the 3400 pound SS springs on the cuda. I had already made up a set of 2 inch lowering blocks for it.  I installed them and it was too low.  I took them out and it did sit a little high at first, but it settled after it sat for a while.  I am happy with how it sits in the rear now.

[acpat]

nice look to the cuda. 

[69 GTS Clonvertible]

I have the 3400 pound SS springs on the cuda. I had already made up a set of 2 inch lowering blocks for it.  I installed them and it was too low.  I took them out and it did sit a little high at first, but it settled after it sat for a while.  I am happy with how it sits in the rear now.

Did you have to install longer shocks with the SS springs? Or did you add the adjustable front hangers?

[440-4sp]

I've got the 2800 002/3 SS springs on my Duster with the front hangars flipped so it sits at about a stock-looking height.  No complaints on the ride, firm but not bad at all - just the way I like it.  I think the modified Dakota truck shocks I'm using help alot to smooth out the ride with the SS springs.

[qkcuda]

acpat, Thanks for the compliment.   

Clonevertible, I used longer shocks from a C body and changed the upper bushings to the A body style (what a pain).  I also installed a longer than stock rear brake hose to be safe.  I set the car up for racing with slicks and an adjustable pinion snubber.  The front hangers and rear shackles are stock.  The car sat for one winter before I ran it and the springs dropped almost an inch after sitting for a while.  It is almost level side to side now.

[moparchop]

I just bought the 2800 lbs.ss springs,frame relocator kit from jegs for my 74 duster with mini tub.Going to start install this wkend.I didn't even think about shocks.I dont want to have to do more labor than I have to.street strip,Any ideas???

[qkcuda]

My springs are in the stock location.  When you relocate the springs inboard it makes the shocks more vertical, so I'm not sure longer shocks are still necessary.  You may want to check the amount of extension left on the stock shocks once you get the springs mounted.  If you do need longer shocks, I think that some Ford pickup shocks work without modifying the bushings.

[Plymouthfan]

FWIW, I installed a set of 1"+ Espo XHD's on my Road Runner last summer and was immediately disappointed. It sat at almost exactly the same level as my worn out originals.

I used a set of 1"+ standard springs on my Scamp and the difference was night and day!

There's something about the XHD's that aren't working, and I read a LOT of complaints on many sites.

[fishy68]

Originally my 68 Cuda had the stock worn out 340 5 leaf springs on it. I wanted it to have a little rake but not sit way high and lopsided like I've seen some with the SS springs so I ordered a set of XHD's from Mancini's and they worked fine. They raised it over 2 inches from the old springs. Ride is good and has just the right amount of rake. I'm surprised to hear about guys having problems with them but I'm new on this board. I have been on FABO allot for a few yrs. and the guys there seem to like the XHD's.

[moparchop]

Thanks qkcuda,sweet fish you got there,doggie dish and bigger tires set it off......

[joesnow]

I got rear shocks for a 1965 Dodge d100 they should go right on and about 2" longer.

[375InStroke]

People that don't like the XHD springs think this is stock height.

[GON_RACIN]

I've got the Mancini XHD springs on my dart and my only complaint was the car sat lopsided due to the springs being biased.  The car sat noticabley higher on the passenger side.  I put a lowering block on that side of the car and now I'm happy with them.

[A13Dart]

People that don't like the XHD springs think this is stock height.

My God, that road runner needs to be confiscated immediately, that is abuse of a Mopar.  The owner would be much happier with a 67 Camaro anyway.

[75Dart440]

I think I spied some Gabriel Hi-Jackers under that RR. 

[375InStroke]

I've got the Mancini XHD springs on my dart and my only complaint was the car sat lopsided due to the springs being biased.  The car sat noticabley higher on the passenger side.  I put a lowering block on that side of the car and now I'm happy with them.

Do you know that the ride height is adjustable?  Take the lowering block off the passenger side, and then raise the front left, lower the front right, or both.  The front is connected to the back, and what you do to the front changes the back too.  It will also put more force on the passenger rear, thus increasing traction on the tire that is lifted during acceleration.

[GON_RACIN]

I've got the Mancini XHD springs on my dart and my only complaint was the car sat lopsided due to the springs being biased.  The car sat noticabley higher on the passenger side.  I put a lowering block on that side of the car and now I'm happy with them.

Do you know that the ride height is adjustable?  Take the lowering block off the passenger side, and then raise the front left, lower the front right, or both.  The front is connected to the back, and what you do to the front changes the back too.  It will also put more force on the passenger rear, thus increasing traction on the tire that is lifted during acceleration.

I didnt want to do it that way.   The car was level before I put the XHD springs on, so I saw no need to go messing with the torsion bars.  The lowering block was alot cheaper than having the car realigned aswell.

[mattsmopars]

People that don't like the XHD springs think this is stock height.

My God, that road runner needs to be confiscated immediately, that is abuse of a Mopar.  The owner would be much happier with a 67 Camaro anyway.

Has to be a set of air shocks. 

[moparchop]

I saw a ford ltd 4 dr jacked up like that not too long ago

[acpat]

that is definetly abuse of a mopar 

[375InStroke]

I've got the Mancini XHD springs on my dart and my only complaint was the car sat lopsided due to the springs being biased.  The car sat noticabley higher on the passenger side.  I put a lowering block on that side of the car and now I'm happy with them.

Do you know that the ride height is adjustable?  Take the lowering block off the passenger side, and then raise the front left, lower the front right, or both.  The front is connected to the back, and what you do to the front changes the back too.  It will also put more force on the passenger rear, thus increasing traction on the tire that is lifted during acceleration.

I didnt want to do it that way.   The car was level before I put the XHD springs on, so I saw no need to go messing with the torsion bars.  The lowering block was alot cheaper than having the car realigned aswell.

If you adjusted the height to where it was before, you wouldn't need to realign it.  By the way, the Hemi & 440 B and E-bodies have biased springs, and they are adjusted to sit level.  Why is this a bad idea?

[GON_RACIN]

Who said it was a bad idea?  The way I did it seems to be working just fine, but thanks for the info on the other method.