What's the best way to raise the rear end of a 1969 lemans

[Beezy]

Hi, I have a 1969 lemans and I want to raise the back end but I'm not sure which springs are best and if I need new shocks because of putting different springs in. Thanks for any advice

 

[melsg5]

are you trying to raise it because it is sagging or you want to raise it so that the rear sits higher than the front?

 

[Beezy]

I want to raise the back higher than the front

 

[melsg5]

depending on how high you want to go these spacers might be the answer. Just remember if you go too high you will start running into issues with front end alignment.

https://www.summitracing.com/search...4294854329&SortBy=Default&SortOrder=Ascending

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[Beezy]

How many inches are they usually raised?

 

[melsg5]

each one of those spacers listed a thickness so that is the distance you can expect to be raised. You could instead install air shocks and vary the amount you want it raised.

 

[cammerjeff]

Those spacer work well up to about a 2 inch lift, if you need more than that I would replace the worn rear coil springs with springs meant for a same year wagon version of your car. It is the same amount of work to replace the springs, or insert the spacers between the axle and the springs.

 

[Beezy]

Will the wagon springs definitely work and do I need new shocks?

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[melsg5]

I could be looking in the wrong places but I cannt find station wagon springs, Moog didnt show a listing and Rock Auto didnt have a listing. Rock Auto did have air lift kits. Most people want to lower the car to improve handling and there are many lowering springs to choose from. Unless you know how old the shocks are you may as well replace them if you are doing anything with the springs.

 

[cammerjeff]

For springs I just go to the company that made them for GM back in the day,

https://www.eatondetroitspring.com/

They still have all the prints on file and can make them for you. That way its not a guessing game, just tell them what you want to do and how the car is equipped and they will do the math, They are great to work with in my experience. They may cost more than the rock auto generic springs but at least you know what you are getting.

As for the shocks you should have the length needed in your shocks now, but as stated if they are old or you don't know how old they are this would be the time to change them, you have to undo the lower shock bolts to change the springs or even add the shims so the work is 1/2 done already. Even if the upper bolts are more of a PITA to remove.

 

[Beezy]

I'll call them on Monday and see what they recommend

 

[Bob Williams]

I had ‘cargo coil’ rear springs installed wich raised the car about 3” .

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