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Leaf springs, 4.5 or 5 leaf?

Makedust

New Member
I wanted to replace my leaf springs on my mustang with a mid eye leaf to lower it just a bit and also because one side is weak and pretty flat.
I was looking at Opentracker but can’t decide on the the 139# or the 171# duty rating.
Which would be better for a base 70 with a 302 auto?
Thanks in advance.
 
Call John at Opentracker and feed him the details about your car and the desires you have for its performance. He's the best guy to answer your questions. You won't find a more helpful or honest vendor. He won't try to sell you anything but what you need and is right for your car.
 
Just be mindful that when you lower it, depending on the wheel/tire choice, you may need to roll the fender lips to avoid hitting the tires. Not hard to do, just something to keep in mind.
 
Careful, Brett, those fender lips can be double layers of metal thick and really hard to bend even with something like the Eastwood tool. Doing it with finished paint adds yet another challenge too. What's easy for some can be a nightmare for others!

Just hanging a plumb bob off the inner lip edge to see how things line up is a quick way to see if this is even a concern.
 
I have 215 70 14 on a 14X6 mags up front and 225 70 14 on a 14X7 mag on back.
I have about 1 1/4” clear from tire to fender well so I think the mid eye will bring it pretty close.
The slot mags are vintage swap meet ones that didn’t cost more than $20 a piece so no biggie, the cooper tires are inexpensive so it won’t hurt too much if I have to swap them out.
The wider rim in the back makes both tires about the same height believe it or not, less 3/8”.
Rolling the fenders is not an option since I did a left rear fender patch because of a dent and some pitting.
I’m far from being a good mig welder, greenhorn at best, but my Miller auto darkening welding helmet just shipped so I’m stoked.
 
I see no reason for 5 leafs unless you're hauling a trunk load of rock/sand.
 
Happens once or so a year but I agree with Mark. 4.5 are stiff as it is. Your 302 is not going to wrap up those let alone a 5 leaf. Pretty much everyone around these parts went 4.5 mid and liked the result.
 
I went ahead and ordered the 4 1/2 mideye leaf springs.
I’m working as a millwright on this big project and it’s slowly winding down.
There’s a sh*tload of structural steel left over, I might regret it.
 
No I don’t think I would try it....unless I found the correct width Dana 60 rear differential that I could swap out the 8” with.
 
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