Leaf spring re-arching . . .

they do have the 3 leaf version, what do you guys say? 3 or 4 leaf? This is a daily driver afterall.

 

I would say that the three is good enough if your not worried about rubbing tires on the sidewalls.

 

Springs

As I said; it depend on the ride u want. If ur just using the car mostly as daily driver I wud go for the 3 leafs. If ur at the strip a lot I'd go for the 4 leaf "JMO".
I did'nt know abt ESPO at the time - if I had I most likely wud have got the 3 leafs. I just use my car for Cruzin and shows and fun. Im a 5 month Comet owner a BLUE OVAL fan\owner for 4 1\2 decades. I am considering removing a leaf have'nt decided yet.

 

The number of leafs on the spring has nothing to do with the rate or ride height of the spring.

 

Leaf Springs

What does number of leafs have to do w/ rubbing tires on the sidewalls. I had 3 and now hve 4 leafs and that has no bearing on tires rubbing sidewalls. If u change wheel and\or tire comb to different backspace and\ or offset then u might have a problem---but nothing to do w/ number of leafs the spring has.

 

There's about 30 different leaf springs for the 70-77 Maverick. Now, there are basically 3 different ones sold. The 3 leaf has a 779 load, 115 rate with 6-3/4" arch. The 4 leaf standard has a 790 load, 142 rate with 5-5/8" arch and the 4 leaf improved handling has a 807 load, 142 rate with 5-7/8" arch. So they all sit close to the same height because the 3 leaf has a higher arch but the improved handling will sit a little bit higher than the rest because it has a bit higher arch and a thicker main leaf which rides a little stiffer but really helps on axle wrap.

Edit: It's pointless to rearch your springs unless you add a leaf to them or completely retemper them because they get a memory and will just come back down so your best bet is always new leaf springs.

 

Ok.

 

so here is a question . . . why is the 3-leaf more expensive than the 4-leaf?

 

It makes little sense.....

 

greed most will buy the three leaf so they make more
just my two penneys

brad

 

Leaf Spring Cost

I don't know what the extra cost for the 3 leaf; maybe like Bradleygt say's "Greed", and most people buy the 3 leaf. IMO $30.00 for what makes u happy in the scheme of what the overall cost of restoring a 30+ yr old car is not even worth mentioning. Abt half a tank of gas for a car w/ 20 gal tank. For most folks replacing leaf springs is a one time affair on that particuilar vechicle. Thirthy dollars shud be the least of one's concerns for something that will be afford a pleasurable ride. JMO

 

I'm not sure about this. JRS used to offer 3 AND 4 leaf, but later ONLY offered the 4 leaf. I assumed it was because the 4 leaf had higher sales, but maybe not. I've always heard people complain about the squishy ride on Mavericks until recently.

I put 4 leafs on both the 71 Grabber and the 73 earlier this year. The General Spring 4 leafs on the 73 feel firmer than the JRS 4 leafs on the 71. That worked out well, because I wanted the 73 to have a firmer ride while the 71 stays stock. I'm not sure if the General Springs I have are the 4-leaf 790 or the 4 leaf 807 "improved handling" that Joe mentioned above.

 

Simple, popularity. The 3 and 4 leafs used to be priced the same so everyone would buy the 4 leaf because why buy the 3 when you can get the 4 for the same price? So now there are a lot more 4 leafs built so the price is lower than the 3 leaf.

 

Everyone who did the group buy got the improved handling springs and JRS springs are the 4 leaf 790. If you look at your 4 leaf it will either have 42-695 or 42-717 on it somewhere and the 42-695 is improved handling and the 42-717 is stock.