I have a few leads to buy a set of new leaf springs for my Comet, thanks to this forum, but have found them in both 3 and 4 leaf configurations. My car is a 3 leaf but was wondering if it's in my best interest to consider the 4 leaf. My concerns are that I actually use my car, its my daily driver. Sometimes my car is full with three passengers, and a trunk full of stuff, plus tools, jack etc (just in case, lol). So I thought maybe a 4 leaf to accommodate the load, but was concerned with the stiffness. Any thoughts?
You can't go by the amount of leafs to identify the stiffness of a spring. Some factory 3-leaf Maverick springs were stiffer than a 4-leaf Maverick springs and some 3-leaf sprigs were weaker. http://dixiemaverick.com/DMleafsprings.html
In 74, 4 leaf springs were part of the heavy duty package, along with a lager front sway bar, and stiffer front shocks. I recently put 4 leaf springs on the rear of my 73, and it sits a little higher, but the ride is greatly improved.
my 4 leaf springs were too stiff for me...I removed one leaf... you may want to buy the 4 leaf and have the option of being able to remove one leaf if too stiff...
X2 ...but I have'nt got arnd to removing the leaf. Carrying all the stuff he mentioned, he's probably better off w/ the 4's. 95% of the time Im the only one in my car.
I replaced mine with 4 leaf. Seems to ride nice. here is where I bought my set.http://www.springsnthings.com/leaf-springs
I got my spring from General Springs in MO. They are the only ones I cud find when I was in the market. They may have a different rating than the one's u have. Then agn, what seems hard to some folks are just fine for others. I have seen comments the same springs I have work fine " not to stiff" for them. I hve 70 series tires on the rear and run abt 24psi to keep frm rupturing a kidney. If I had 60's or 50's I wud have had to remove a leaf long ago, regardless of air pressure.
I bought new leaf springs for my 70 Maverick from Mustangs Plus. 4-1/2 Reverse Eye,1" Bushing SRI # 42-505. Reverse Eye helps by letting car set low. The ride is firm and feels fine. Paid $249 w/calif. Sales tax came to $268.30, a bit pricey but saved me loads of time from searching junkyards. That was 2009 prices.
I got the 4-leaf springs from JC Whitney back in the day when you could still get them. Only raised my car about 1/4", but I really like the stiffness they gave me when I drive. May not be the best for drag racing, but they are nice when you hit a turn fast and the rear end doesn't sink and swim on you.
