Rear coil spring swap

[lacucaracha]

has anybody swapped out the rear coils from other GM models?

I've got a 68 wagon and I want a little bit of lift and a much firmer ride. I'd like to stick with "factory parts" if possible. I have no intention of getting carried away with this as this car is a daily driver.

[Hank70SS]

I don't have part numbers but you may want to look at Moog cargo springs for the wagon.

[Eric]

Hank is right on the money! If you are trying to reduce body roll and improve handling, I would recommend adding a rear sway bar or replacing with a larger one. Quality gas shocks will help firm things up also, both would be beneficial if you tow with your wagon. Love them wagons!

[BillsCamino]

Originally Posted by Hank70SS

I don't have part numbers but you may want to look at Moog cargo springs for the wagon.

Or rear springs for same year El Camino.

[lacucaracha]

I've been doing a bit of research on the whole thing... from what I've been finding it seems that the Elky springs may actually be lighter. I checked on their forums and it seems that they tell their guys to go with wagon springs. I know that Elky/wag roll on the same wheel base and a lot of their parts are interchangeable and the wagon is 1/2 4dr chevelle 1/2 el camino. I've also been looking at Moog's spec charts to see what may work.

this is what I've got
moog in bar spr spr inst free end spr
# dia dia rate load ht. ht. type type
cc507 5.53 .612 158 846 10 15.38 ptpt v chevelle wagon

cc505 5.53 .672 181 990 10 15.46 ptpt v 68-72 vista cruiser/cutlass
68-72 sport wag
69 bonneville
96 88/98

cc503 5.53 .656 170 1020 10 16.38 ptptv pont
71-72 catalina
buick
66-70 electra
65-70 lesabre/wildcat
66-70 riv
olds
66-68 delta 88/98

cc625 5.53 .656 222 850 10 14 ptptv 73-77 chevelle/wag sb
lemans/wag sb
century/regal/wag sb
73-76 cutlass/wag sb


cc623 5.53 .671 206 865 11 15.13 ptptv 77-96 gm full size/wag sb

cc611 5.53 .656 186 900 11.5 16.38 ptptv 71/72 impala/wag sb
caddy
77-86 91/92 fleetwood
77-84 deville
olds
71-78 toronado
71/72 88
71/72 77-83 98
buick
71/72 77-83 electra
71/72 lesabre/centurian
pont
71-76 catalina
71-73 bonneville

cc613 5.53 .703 236 1080 11.5 16.13 ptpt v 73-76 impala/cap/bel

cc641 5.6 .703 220 923 13 17.13 ptpt v buick
73-74 electra/wag
olds
73-74 98

cc811 5.43 .75 315 1350 10.5 14.78 ptpt v 73-78 ltd country squire wag
cc825 5.42 .718 211 1055 11.9 17.51 ptpt v 74-79 lincoln cont.


cc603 5.5 .812 393 910 10.75 13.06 ptpt v 68 c10 pickup/suburban
cc615 5.2 .937 820 1335 10.75 12.38 ptpt v 68 c20 pickup sb

So we've got everything from stiffer at stock height cc505 vista cruiser spring, to 1" lift with the firmer 77-96 gm full size spring (which is readily available and the cheapest), to a full 3" with the firmer 73-74 electra/wagon springs. I'm basing this on their posted installation height.

if you are feeling experimental you could try those ford springs or if you want rock hard try the truck springs. They are all the approximate size. Providing the pig tail will fit in the spring cup they should work.

Now you would have to beef up the front springs as well, but it would appear that there ARE options other than high dollar aftermarket stuff.

I'm just wondering if anyone has tried to go this route.