I've been lurking in the background, sponging info off you guys for the last month or so, as I really don't know much at all about suspensions other than replacing stock componants with stock componants.
I'm pulling the engine/trans/rear and front/rear suspension from the wagon this week. It's a 69 Concours with a 350, TH400, air conditioning, peg-leg 12 bolt rear. It does not have the third seat. It currently has all stock (wornout componants), original springs and a 7/8 sway bar up front. The car has bad bad bad under steer and body roll. It is also all over the road. It won't be a canyon carver, or a 1320 car. It just needs to be tightened up for more reliable and predictable handling on the street. Here are my planned changes. Any comments appreciated.

Front:
Box LCA's
Poly Bushings upper and lower
Hotchkis 1901F springs (500#/in, lower f/e 1")
New center link, inner and outer tierods, idler arm and ball joints.
KYB Gas adjust shocks
Increase sway bar to 1 1/8, with poly bushings and end link bushings.
Rebuild steering box from 17.5:1 to 12.7:1 ratio
Tires/wheels are 15X7 with 235R60-15 BFG Radial T/A's.

Rear
Box LCA's
Rubber bushings all around
CC501 Moog springs(175#/inch, 810# at load height).
Add 1" sway bar.
Tire/wheels are 15X7 with 255R60-15 BFG R T/A's

Nice setup for a wagon Jim. You will be happy with that. I might suggest thinking of stepping up to a 16 or 17 wheel as funds permit not only for the asthetic value but it would also increase cornering grip drastically.

Might also want to consider jumping on the UMI deal if I ever get it going, some nice tube lower links with rod ends will free the rear axle bind by half.

Denny, I've been following your 'Official rear arm' link and many other threads you've written and participated in over the last month. Awsome!
I am definatly interested in getting in on the UMI deal. The rear suspension will be the last thing I tackle on this rebuild, so its a ways off.
Thanks for the reply.

I'm doing the same thing on our wagon, with pretty much the same set-up.

I've been considering the CC501 springs in the rear but I'm not sure it will sit right. They will usually drop a coupe 1-1/2" - 2" in the rear over stock springs. With the added weight of the wagon, it may wind up with the rear lower than the front.
Let us know how it turns out.

I'm planning on a 1-1/4" front bar and 1" rear bar. I think these big O' sleds can use all the bar you can give em in the front.

Dwayne

I am in the same process for a wagon build. I have been told to use El-Camino rear springs to prevent sag.

Any truth to this?

E.C. springs are typically taller/stiffer and in many cases a load leveler design. I don't care for them but to each his own.

I would have guessed you weren't a fan of the EC springs, Dennis ;)
But what I'm trying to figure out if they will keep the fat end of a wagon at 'stock' height, and be less prone to the natural sag that wagons get. Also will they put up with a load better, like 500 lbs on the trailer tounge.

.....reluctantly...yes. Maybe a little taller.

Dwayne, I did a search and found conflicting info on the ride height with the CC501's. Here is some good info on spring rates:
Spring Rates (http://www.classiccarsprings.com/springrates.html)

I am thinking I may go with the CC507's. I will determine that after I pull the stock springs out and take some measurements. I am also going to take some before and after measurments of the cars ride height at the top of the fender lips, for comparison.
Sorry, this will be taking a few months though....

Keep us informed of how it works out. Northern Auto is the cheapest place I've found the CC501 springs.
http://www.northernautoparts.com/ProductModelDetail.cfm?ProductModelId=7666

Quick update. Prior to disassembly, I jacked and leveled the car and measured the installed height of the rear springs. They came out even at 10". Since I don't have a build sheet for the car, I figured which springs s/b in the wagon from Dale McIntosh's site. They s/b the 'BB' springs 3949015 with an installed height of 9" at 1045# and a spring rate of 160#/in.
Based on the existing configuration of the wagon, the CC501 springs with an installed height of 8" would drop the back end 2". The CC507 springs would keep the wagon at the installed height of 10". Also, the spring rate of the CC507 (158#/in) more closely matches stock than the CC501 springs at 175#/in.
On a side note, there are also the 'stock' replacement springs #6381 that have an installed height of 9" at 1062# and a spring rate of 198#/in.
So now its down to either the CC507's or 6381's,I probably go with the CC507's.
Jim

make sure you add the braces that support the upper possitions of the rear control armes to the frame. also iwould use poly bushings on the rear lower arms. i used a 1-3/8" front and rear bar. with the extra weight of the third seat, trailer hitch, and aditional frame boxxing i have done the front to rear bar ratio should be very complementry.

Originally posted by FO_FDYFO:
with the extra weight of the third seat, trailer hitch, and aditional frame boxxing So Pete, what rear springs would you reccomend, I want to reatain a stock height in the rear. But additions like the third seat, custom class 3 hitch, and trailer towing...I might have some sagging issues.

Also I don't want a harsh ride when I'm not loaded with the trailer.

I'm going for a Pro-touring attitude with our wagon so the 2" drop with the cc501 springs sounds perfect for my application.

Pete, do you have any photos of the brace you're talkin about?