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I'm being stupid, I think . . . please advise

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728 views 7 replies 6 participants last post by  **DONOTDELETE**  
3
#1 ·
I\'m being stupid, I think . . . please advise

I just placed an order with Alcan for some new springs. Including shipping, overall cost will be around $800, and the springs won't be too different from my existing ones. After I ordered I got to thinking, do I really need new springs? The ones I have still have a decent arch. They are dirty and grimy, and all the bushings and shackles definitely need replacing, but the springs themselves are really okay. Of course, it would be nice to have teflon insert between each spring, but $800 nice?

I realized that one of the reasons I wanted the new ones was for aesthics. Laugh if you want, but after putting in all the time and money to restore the Jeep, I do want it to look nice. So, I thought maybe I can take the springs apart, clean them up, paint them and reinstall with new bushings, shackles etc. Probably save $600 at least. That money would be much better spent on other things like a disk brake upgrade, or a nicer axle. If I complete the whole project and really want new springs, then I can always do that at the end.

Should I call Alcan back and tell them to stop the order? Any good tips for "restoring" old springs?

Paul
 
2
#4 ·
Re: I\'m being stupid, I think . . . please advise

You are being stupid if they have a decent arch and you are happy with the ride. How about saving about 5-6 bills and taking them to a spring shop to get rebuilt with new paint and teflon pads? My springs are stock and they are just fine, the springs on my 48 CJ-2A are stock and they are fine too! Save the money, but if you do end up wanting new ones don't go cheap, go alcan.

John
70 Jeepster with "Hurc package"
48 CJ-2A 225 V-6, SM465, D18, D44's, SOA on CJ springs, 35's, SHORT driveshaft /wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif
89 Wrangler 4 banger
98 Tacoma EC 6 cyl
 
J
#5 ·
Re: I\'m being stupid, I think . . . please advise

How is the ride before you tore the rig apart?
How do you like the height now?
If your going to get Alcans and you want them to look nice, you might watn to get ahold of them
and tell them to not paint them and also to have them shrink wrapped so they wont get
all greasy and surface rusted, and also the shipping stickers wont be cemented on the springs.
The way that they shipp them is just to put a shipping sticker on em and thats it.
This way you can paint them yourself to match the rest of your undercarriage if your going for
a first rate resto. My springs looked as though they were dipped.

71 Jeepster Commando. (Soon to have lift)
 
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J
#6 ·
Re: I\'m being stupid, I think . . . please advise

Most spring and brake companies will rework your original springs and put the finishing touches you are requesting. An exaple is: St. Louis Spring and Brake Company, will make new ones and even arch them a couple of inches for 150.00 each (that price could be higher now), that would put you at 600.00 for the set of four. The other option is they can rebiuld your current springs and even add some arch for lift for about half of that price. They would look brand new.

used jeepster parts.
 
3
#7 ·
Re: I\'m being stupid, I think . . . please advise

Thanks to all for comments. I think I am going to take a swing at doing some work on the old ones. The ride was fine, the lift was fine, and the springs still have good arch. They are not original springs based on measurements I took and compared with what Alcan was listing as stock.

So, to begin restoring them, will a POR-15 paint job work on springs? I'm not sure if it will just rub off when the springs move over each other. I'm going to call POR-15 and see what they think, but I'd love to hear other opinions.

Paul
 
G
#8 ·
Re: I\'m being stupid, I think . . . please advise

POR-15 is very UV sensitive. The black slowly turns a gray/brown milky color after being exposed to sunlight for a while (which of course Jeepster springs do). Best check with the POR-15 first. I think Eastwood's Corroless paint is UV stable and performs a similar rustproofing function.

Fe2O3Ster -- Bill Simmeth
1968 Commando SW -- Major Rust Project
Delaplane, VA
 
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