Hi, all. New owner, new poster. Just sold a '69 GTO and bought my first Chevelle, a clean '65 Malibu.

I'm looking to build the car to my specs. I prefer the '60s rake look, nose down, higher back. I'm not looking to do anything ridiculous, no air shocks, no 4x4 jack in the back. I just want the rear to be slightly taller. Most of the info I've found here pertains to lowering, which I don't want to do. The car appears low enough already in the front.

Does anyone have a particular part number for rear springs to help accomplish my goal, perhaps 1-2 inches taller than stock? I've read about some of the custom manufacturers, which I'll use if necessary, but would prefer to be able to purchase directly from a local parts source if possible. Thank you for any info. This place seems like a great resource.
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Unless you do something like lift-bars or anti-hops, you will get nasty wheel-hop from raising the rear.

Don't say we didn't warn you! :D

Yes, I have a moderate understanding of 4-link geometry, having been involved in rockcrawlers previously. With my plans for this car, I don't think wheel hop will be a big issue. I want to achieve the aesthetic that I like and then will address any other issue as the need arises.

Got part numbers for me, by chance?

Got part numbers for me, by chance?Nope, I'm one of those dang "lower is better" guys :D I just wanted to be sure you knew what you were getting into.

I know some people use Station Wagon springs to lift the rears. I'm not sure if they're just taller, or if they're stiffer too.

No insight?

For reference, I just got the car and it does seem awfully low. From the ground to the bottom of my outer middle rear fender well is 18.5 inches. Can someone with a '65 perhaps measure to give me a reference point? Perhaps lowering springs were installed and stockers would give me what I need.

Thank you.
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Any help at all out there? Can someone with a '65 give me a measurement? Thanks in advance.

My cars are are few miles outisde of town right now so I can't measure, but there are only a few options for raising the rear.

1. Taller tires.
2. Taller Springs
3. Air shocks - bad option IMHO.

I would go with taller tires and perhaps a little taller spring. Just have your local parts house pull the rear springs for a coupe and a wagon and take a look at them. The rear springs take all of 5 minutes to get in and out so it's not too bad. Take your original with you to compare.

Air shocks cause trouble with the shock mounts on the frame with these old cars, so I would stay away from those. The way these cars settle it's difficult for someone to give you part numbers and have you be happy. You're going to have to swap them out and see what you like.

Jeff: Thanks. I'm not going to air shocks. Had them before in other cars. Actually, I just pulled the trunk mat out of this car and the air lines are there, so there have been air shocks on this car in the past ;-)

A measurement would just give me a good baseline to indicate whether or not lowering springs have been installed on this car. Thanks.
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I measure 21 inches on mine, that is if we're looking at the same spot (middle of outer fender well on the back).

I say just put new standard suspension on the back, and drop the front slightly. This should give you the effect you wanted.

Yep, the middle of the outer fender on the rear. You're 2.5 inches taller than I am, so a stock coil spring will give me what I want. Thank you very much.
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Hold on now, you are measuring to the body. Are your body bushings good? I have replaced the body bushings on every car I have. Probably 1" to 1 1/2" right there. What size tires do you run? I run 275 60R 15's. All of those will change the height to your rear fender.

Pull that spring and take it down to look at a stocker. Good luck!

Yep, took that into account. Went ahead and pulled the stock springs. They measure about 15 inches tall.

I must say that my 21 inches does include all new suspension and body bushings, so as jeffc said that accounts for alot

I'll be out at my shop tomorrow and I'll see if I have any springs to measure. I'm sure you can make it look like you want, but it may take a few swaps :D. Don't forget that you may need a longer shock if you take it up too much.

There is nothing better than enjoying the look of your ride while it's setting still. Mine is probably stock, but those 275's look huge under the back. Again, good luck.

Newest problem, can't find the damn springs at any local retailer (Autozone, Checker or Napa). And they can't order them, either. I just want to get some tires on there ;-) I had hoped to fit 295s, but it's looking more like 275s are going to max out that wheelwell.

Any ideas where to get springs? Any cross-reference to a particular spring in the Moog chart in another thread?
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275 was a close fit and I had to square the body on the frame. I knew a guy who ran 295's but he rolled the lip and had rims made with something like 4 7/8 BS. I personally saw it, so I know it's true. I'll call my nephew tomorrow about the springs. He manages an Oreillys here in ICT.

I plan on rolling the lip. I'd almost be willing to relocate the shock mount to get a bigger tire on; i.e., get enough backspacing -- ~5 inches -- to perhaps fit the 295. But I don't want to sacrifice height for width.

Anyway, man, I really appreciate the effort. No idea what the spring initially measured, but it's exactly 15 inches tall now. I suppose I could order from Ground Up or that coilspring.com place. Will try there tomorrow.
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I bought a set from Oreillys in Wichita and the MOOG number is 6197 any ways that was what the number was for my stock 64.. Hope this helps

Brian

look for an old Cutlass station wagon spring.

I got my springs from a local Carquest store. Moog replacements

Newest problem, can't find the damn springs at any local retailer (Autozone, Checker or Napa). And they can't order them, either. I just want to get some tires on there ;-) I had hoped to fit 295s, but it's looking more like 275s are going to max out that wheelwell.

Any ideas where to get springs? Any cross-reference to a particular spring in the Moog chart in another thread?
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Do a search on here for Coil Spring Specialties. They can build you the right springs.
295's aren't going to fit w/o frame & body mods. 285 is about it.

I went ahead and ordered stock replacement rear springs from Ground Up. I'll try those first and see how it works out. Thanks for all the help.

Jeff, did you roll the rear lips to fit the 275s? What backspace?

Jeff,

What rim width and backspacing are you using to get 275s under your 65?

I have 255's on a 65 coupe and it's a tight fit all round, particularly up inside the wheel well. I can barely fit my finger between the tire and chrome wheel well strip. How you guys fit 275+ wthout modifications and don't rub with people in the back seat and a full tank of gas is a mystery to me.

I'm using Monte Carlo Rally rims and I believe they are 4 3/4 BS. I was hoping to get to my shop last night, but I didn't. I have to go out Saturday, so I'll measure. I did not roll the lips but I did have to center the body on the frame. I'll admit it's very close on my 65 Convertible and I couldn't get them under one side of my 65 Coupe (not in my sig, major project) just to roll it around. I just assumed the body wasn't square.

My 'vert has polygraphite bushings all around, new body busings and a sway bar w/boxed lowers. I've never had anyone in the back, but I cruised and raced the car (no motor now) without any problems for years. If you look at the pic sig, it's with 275 60R 15s.

Here is the best pic I could find to show the back tires.

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/jeffc/jeff2.jpg

Thanks, Jeff.

you can get taller rear springs from j c whitney .will raise car 2 - 4 inches have them on mine works good.and they are priced right