'66 Galaxie front and rear springs

[Urgefor]

I'm looking for some input regarding a set of front and rear coil springs.  I had purchased springs for both a few years back when I swapped out the 289 for a 390.  In theory the front springs were correct for the car with an FE.  I don't recall the specifics for the rear but I made a best effort at finding springs that would match OE springs.

As it is now, the front sits high and the rear sits low.  Does anyone know of a good source for springs that would have the car's stance be "normal"?  Any information is appreciated.

[TJ]

I’m happy with the coils and leafs I’ve got from Eaton Detroit Spring.  They don’t give them away but they’re good. 

Many cars have options to raise/lower an inch or two and some have options for “heavy duty”.

[galaxiex]

I have a full set front and rear of brand new (installed but never driven, then removed) Moog brand coils for a 66 Galaxie 500XL 390.
They are "regular" springs for a 390 car with NO A/C.
I bought these a long time ago, well before all the issues with crappy off-shore parts.

I have them because I finished the chassis, so they got installed, but before I ever got the car running,
I bought the complete Hotchkis suspension kit for the car.
So I removed the new Moog springs etc and installed the Hotchkis setup.
It's still not running, but getting closer.....

In fact I have the original complete upper and lower control arms w/new ball joints and poly bushings.
Original strut rods again w/new poly bushings.

Also have the original rear control arms w/new poly bushings, plus they have been boxed.

In addition, I have a set of "Heavy Duty" towing and/or station wagon rear springs.
Not sure which they are, old guy memory strikes again...

Those I have had in the car when it was still running/driving.
They are very stiff and really raise the back end.
Not extreme "stink bug" high, but noticeable lift over stock springs.
Stiff ride tho....

Willing to sell any or all of the above for reasonable money but... I'm in Canada so shipping could get expensive.
These parts are not light.

Just throwing this out there...

[cleandan]

There are a few different springs for the 1966 Galaxie so you must do some homework in order to get what you want.
The Galaxie came with many engine options and trim options, which results in different springs.

You could also get heavy duty suspension components, or a Police/Taxi suspension package.

They also had standard rate springs and variable rate springs for the rear.

Look at ride height measurements, spring free heights, loaded height, and coil diameter.
If you can find it use spring rates to help you get the right springs too.

Back in the late 1980's I installed new springs in my 66' 7-LITRE and they were supposed to be the correct, direct replacement springs from either Moog, or Eibach, I don't remember right now....it was a few minutes ago.

What I do remember is the front springs were a perfect fit, installed easy, and after breaking in a bit have been keeping the front end happy every since.

The rear springs, which were not the variable rate like original, were SUPER stiff.
They were almost impossible to install and when let down off the jack acted like there was a board in there instead of a spring.
Very wrong, other than diameter...they fit the spring cup just right.

The got cut, heated, modified, and messed with, but were never right and eventually I tossed them in the bin.
I have been driving on the factory rear springs ever since and things are fine....not great, but certainly fine.

It has been a long times since I have searched for rear springs, but the last time I did there were no good options for the rear of my 7-LITRE Galaxie.

This is why I suggest measuring what you need, then go searching for springs per their manufactured parameters rather than per the vehicle listing in some book.

If someone has the factory spring info that would be excellent to learn....but remember, there were many different springs used.

[Dr Mabuse]

For price and quality, you cannot go wrong with Rock Auto. They are my first "go to" place when shopping automotive,

re:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/ford,1966,galaxie,6.4l+390cid+v8,1435809,suspension,coil+spring,7512http://

[Urgefor]

I don't recall which, but one set of springs I purchased from RockAuto.  When I was looking for springs, one set or the other was hard to come by since it was around the time of the pandemic adventure (probably the front springs) and I had to get them from a different source.  I'm thinking now that with my limited options, I probably purchased a set of heavy duty w/AC just to get some springs in the car since the OE springs for the 289 were not up to the task.

[TJ]

Rockauto is nice when a name brand like motorcraft, moog, mevotech, etc will do.

When I want something that's made to the respective factory specs for engine, body style, etc and/or I want to adjust height then I go to Eaton Detroit. 

And Eaton Detroit has live people to talk with for specs ...or at least they used to.

[GerryP]

For the front coils, I would suggest you cut the coils.  It is a fairly slow process.  If you cut too much, you have to get a new spring.  Go a quarter coil at a time.  A half a coil will drop you down about two inches or so depending upon your front end weight.  You might have to pull and reinstall the spring a number of times to get it perfect.  For the rear springs, if you live in a fairly large city, you can have the factory springs re-arced.

[Heo]

For the front coils, I would suggest you cut the coils.  It is a fairly slow process.  If you cut too much, you have to get a new spring.  Go a quarter coil at a time.  A half a coil will drop you down about two inches or so depending upon your front end weight.  You might have to pull and reinstall the spring a number of times to get it perfect.  For the rear springs, if you live in a fairly large city, you can have the factory springs re-arced.

-66 have coils in the rear

[Randy H]

Just cut a coil off.

[Dr Mabuse]

Eaton Detroit springs are "boutique" springs for restorers, or desperate antique owners (a very expensive option).

Cutting coils are for desperate 'rodders, with no other options, shade tree mechanics, and low budget dirt track racers. Only cut coils as a last resort.

[TJ]

Eaton Detroit springs are "boutique" springs for restorers, or desperate antique owners (a very expensive option).

Cutting coils are for desperate 'rodders, with no other options, shade tree mechanics, and low budget dirt track racers. Only cut coils as a last resort.

I tend to agree with you on the Eaton Detroit springs though boutique is not quite the word I’d choose.  I go there when I want springs to last 15 to 20 years.  The aftermarkets  (like moog, mevotech, or whatever NAPA has) I hope to get 5 or so years.   

Each source for springs have their place.

[galaxiex]

These pics for cleandan.

Moog variable rate rear springs for a 1966 Galaxie 500XL.
Moog says they fit other models as well, Custom, LTD, etc.

Number on the springs best I can read it...

W12PC801

Spring free height approx 14.5"


Coil wire diameter including the rather thick coating. 0.655


The coating is approx 0.015" - 0.020" thickness.

[428kidd]

Espo springs and things is a good source ive used them twice now and there stuff is top quality and a good price.
https://www.springsnthings.com/contact.htm

[Dr Mabuse]

I always used Air Lift air spring/rubber air bags in the rears of my '66. Five pounds in each bag for normal driving.

The last I checked, they no longer have a listing for them in their catalog, but their rep told me that they can be ordered by size. They may all be plastic bags now.