Dirt Cheap, Simple Upgrade For All Leaf Spring Cars And Trucks

[@nicholasagnew2792]

I imagine there are plenty of people who can tell you what to do to a car to achieve certain goals, but there are few who can accurately and effectively explain why and the how behind doing these things, and even fewer who can give this type of advise every day exploring every aspect of a vehicle. You rock man!

[@Averagegunenthusiast]

Not only that but he gives real solutions that is normal people can afford. Usually on a show it’s buy thousands of dollars of parts and here’s how you install them. He shows us things we can actually do on a real budget.

[@garyburdick1992]

I agree totally! I bet he’s forgotten more about vehicles than I’ll ever know!

[@alan6832]

What about braking? Wouldn't you want clamps behind the axle for braking just the way you would want them in front during acceleration?

[@danielocean2665]

And dude did it while working a new piece of technology. Dude is a legend.

[@23Roadster1]

Hey Tony, good job on the selfie stick. If I could just make a constructive suggestion; when you "get down" to show hard to access areas (under-carriage, small details, ect.) it would be far clearer if the area/item was brightly lit from a separate source (flood light, spot light, whatever works). Keep up the good work!

[@danboutin8700]

Also your face doesn’t need to be in the video. No offense you can take the camera and zoom in closer on the object you are talking about ! 👍🏻as always

[@alan6832]

And you don't need your face in every frame. When you are under the car, It's okay to turn the camera around and just have the subject and your finger pointing at stuff.

[@jeffryblackmon4846]

Exactly what I was going to write. It was hard to see the areas under the cars.

[@robdailey]

I'm fairly certain that he's not doing what he's doing for the purpose of keeping his face in frame, but rather his face being in frame is incidental to continuously looking at the screen to see what is in frame. It looks as if he's trying to make sure that what he wants to show us is actually on the screen. He'll figure it out after he does a few videos with the new stick.

[@robertreid1499]

@@robdailey …

[@frikyouall]

This man is every kid's Jewish dad in every sitcom in the 90's. It was very wholesome and entertaining. It also helped me understand the multi-leaf structure in a leaf spring setup. Thanks for that, fella, I appreciate it.

[@1HotRob]

You are one of the last few knowledgeable, experienced & wise special automotive industry people left on this planet.

[@1HotRob]

I do have a question for you, if I may… So you’ve seen the old classic cars sitting there with the lean to the driver’s side, apparently due to the years & years of the driver’s sitting weight on the left side. Is that something that can be corrected easily corrected??

[@pri3stburgess168]

Modern vehicle owners will never know the struggle lol. This is the stuff that won races in the day

[@williamstamper442]

When I made leaf spring clamps for my duramax, the first ones were nowhere near stout enough. Had to go to 1/2 steel and grade8 5/8 bolts! That did the trick, truck went 12.20@111 weighing in at 7450lbs.

[@georgewelker853]

Left alone without the clamps I bet you snapped a good amount of springs, I snapped a whole mess of springs on all of the stuff I’ve had with leaf springs. I used to load up the springs and actually squat the truck and smoke people off the line… but springs were consumables 😂😂😂

[@saxmusicmail]

Somewhere in all the old DC stuff, the manuals or whatever they called them (Stage 1, do this, Stage 2, add this to above, etc), they said to do exactly this. And DC had clamps you could buy. Being young, newly married, broke, I made my own from some pieces of 3/8" plate I pulled from the scrap bin at work. Cut them into appropriate size retangles, blew some holes in them, and used some bolts and lock nuts to secure in place. Worked like a charm. And nothing hanging down like traction bars. The car was a complete sleeper.

[@LiamsGotThis]

You did good with the camera! Just get some floor lights for anything you are trying to show so the viewers can see it better.

[@TD_YT066]

Yep, need some sort of camera light or lightbar when working under the cars.

[@autophyte]

@@TD_YT066 There's no need for extra light under the car if you take the camera off your face (which is quite handsome, just not needed in every shot) and move it in close to what you're trying to show. When it's completely surrounded by dark, the camera will adjust for the dark and lighten the picture up. There'll also be no shadows as you'd get from auxiliary lighting.

[@skami1284]

Dude, you are awesome. Coming from a chicago aspect, and hot rodding since 1978, i love your down to earth , get it done attitude!

[@UsMisguided]

Thanks uncle Tony. I love listening to older wise men who been through it already. These type of men give us younger men essentially the cheat codes to this game of life. Listen up to the wise.

[@Dube7666]

I would call people that can modify vehicles and gain positive results “real men”, not people that can simply film themselves… they are the “totally helpless” ones. Good info, thanks!

[@escottn]

Wow! Just discovered this channel tonight. I can't stop watching! Old school cool! Thank you sir for sharing so much great knowledge with people like me who don't know much. So grateful to see someone willing to pass on their years of knowledge of these cars!

[@johnspradlin46]

I watched your video and totally agree with spring clamps. I did this on my 1953 Mercury back in 1963. It picked up the height and extra stiffness.

[@guyharrison909]

Cathy does a great job, another one of those things that men don't really notice or value. She is just in the background making the wheels turn figuratively while Tony makes the wheels turn literally.

[@jerrygreen2883]

I had horrible axle wrap on my 84 C10 after doing an axle flip and drop shackle, since I wasn't able to use my old traction bars. After watching your video I put one clamp on each spring and it made a huge difference. Totally eliminated the axle wrap and I'm back to doing line locks in front of the house.

[@charliegator4312]

Beyond all the criticism Tony I think you did a heck of a job, being that your just getting started as a photographer. The easibility of attaining perfection will come. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and please keep em' coming. CS

[@snoofayy6150]

hey Tony your video from a few days ago on assembling drum brakes really helped me get the hang of it! the next day at work i ended up having to replace the parking brake shoes and hardware on both a dodge ram and then a merc c class it was the first time it finally *just made sense* how to pry/screwdriver them all into place! and now this spring/summer im gonna be taking apart a pack of commercial (4 leaf steel instead of the regular 3 leafs) astro van leaves me and a buddy pulled from the junkyard, im gonna be putting new bushings and rubbers and repainting them to replace the sagged fibreglass monoleafs on my hand me down 94 safari, I'll definitely be on the hunt for some more clamps to add upon re-assembly 😎 biggest of thanks for helping this 23 year old make the best of wrenching for a living 👍

[@garretvernon8176]

Back in the day on our dirt car(‘77 Camaro) we duct taped the entire spring pack on both sides to accomplish this. In effect it mimicked a Chrysler monoleaf setup.

[@skyking4501]

Your camera work keeps it all real man. Just like mechanic work, if ya ain’t busting yer knuckles, ya ain’t doin mechanic work. Loved it

[@jaminova_1969]

Lighting is important in video to see what you are pointing at Uncle Tony! Other than that, I learned something new about leaf springs! Good Job! Also, my parents owned a 66 Valiant and the car I learned to drive on, a 1969 Plymouth Valiant! My 1st car I owned was the 1967 Dodge Dart GT, but the Valiant actually was my 1st car. Maybe the 69 Chrysler w the 383 we inherited from my Grandma's friends late husband. It was awesome growing up in a Mopar family!

[@brucew13]

Tony Your Camera Work - The message is coming across 100% understandable with your camera work, its all about the info man! Camera work fine enough for me, people have got to used to the polished TV stations BS, I am nah I want to see the real stuff, stuff ups and good bits and all! Great work, this is my fav channel and camera work is all fine by me! Its all about the tips and tricks! And I just learnt something out of this video about springs!!!!

[@jfeal]

Been doing that for years! He's right. 3/8 plate, 2 per side, and it works. Cheap and easy! Great channel

[@archive.garage]

Another tip to combat axle wrap is get the 2nd leaf down to extend nearly to the front hanger (see gap/stepping at 7:00 ). Pick up a 2nd set of OE springs, pull the main leaf, cut the eyes off it and swap that into your original leaf pack. Also make sure the clamps you add allow the leaves to slide against each other

[@k5ren]

"Old Dog with a New Trick" superbly explaining important Old Tricks. I enjoyed this Tony!

[@lawncuttingplusdelta]

Uncle u made me smile from the start ! Al is a wicked cool guy ! U guys need to milk and have fun with what u are doing !!! We love being in your garage I’d say !

[@wordfabstream8745]

Are you SURE she said "Go FILM yourself" Uncle Tony? ;)

[@eugenepolan1750]

Normally your videos are more well lit....must be the radiant smile of Uncle Cathy lighting up the room.

[@calliber1176]

I think you did great with the GoPro thanks again for more valuable Car tips and tricks Some of this information just gets lost in the wind never to be seen again

[@ericswilley357]

Tony is a national treasure… love the channel!

[@johncunningham4820]

That was Actively USEFUL information . Even Tech Savvy people like myself may not figure this out . But it is obvious , when you think about it . A third element Torque rod to the top of the Diff housing would do the same I believe .

[@panchosamurai]

You're a well of knowledge man. I always stop what I'm doing to to watch your videos and learn something

[@shade_angel1445]

Uncle Tony dropping knowledge but more worried about making people proud of him, dang that's humble.

[@mdcuddy3286]

One trick we used was on a Datsun 620 pickup the rear leaf springs had a 'helper bar' in the spring pack; using this bar and using several of the clamps stiffened the rear and took out the axle wrapping. Also look at tail shaft angle from the trans, the driveshaft angle, and the pinion angle with the car fully loaded on the ground, front end lifted, and have several camera shots of acceleration on the pinion. All these help to keep the axle wrap to a minimum.

[@gvxclassics]

I like the part with you flailing on the floor. Great ideas for the rear springs. Thanks Unc.

[@bennyboyy7]

I swear everyone of your videos has some funny moments that just don't compare to any other channel. The batman angle cracked me up, I heard old the theme sound playing in my head

[@nickking1510]

Hi Tony . I have had great luck using the Superior over loader springs both the 2000lb coils I installed on my 1992 tracker. Also used coils for shocks added to my 1976 f41 corvette rear replacement HD shock s . I cut a Superior overloaded spring in half for a 1974 Buick park ave installed on my vette new shock a few years back for auto cross to my surprise it stiffened the already super stiff f41 suspension but made the c3 vette ride more bearable on the street with 0 body lean . Superior also has leaf spring booster helpers you can bolt on to existing leafs which I have used on a 1997 ford truck . The good news is that in Canada I buy the add on springs very cheap . The results on my 1992 tracker with 2 added 2000 lb coil kit added to rear axel along with the stock coils in place a 4-5 inch lift and very little body lean in turns no bottoming out and better handling and looks . Bonus paid $19.99 for the 2 spring and install kit ,install time was an hour using a jack . Old school solutions ,old guys rule lolol

[@kentmckean6795]

Tony: don't worry, you did a good job, especially explaining leaf springs.

[@johnnysechrist6313]

I just took 2x2 angle iron and made my own traction bars. Stopped wheel hop on my 65 Cyclone four speed. Good advice from a neighbor in Randolph county NC, Mr. Petty.

[@olliehopnoodle4628]

Great advice. I used some under leaf traction bars. Not the 'snubbers' that were popular in the 80's and 90's but the ones that attach to the frame and the bottom leaf plate. They are fairly inexpensive and while not 'tunable' like some of fancier Calvert CalTracs they get the job done. The other BIG advantage is no wheel hop when braking hard.

[@siliconvalleyengineer5875]

Im a new viewer of your channel, and i found this leaf spring clamping idea's very informative, thank you Tony & crew !

[@MikeBrown-ii3pt]

I've been planning the rear suspension setup for my 302 swapped Ford Ranger since before starting the project. Even though I'm not looking to make "stupid" power numbers with the build, the stock setup would wheel hop with just the original 2.3/5 speed. I've already installed new springs with an additional leaf and 3 extra clamps. On top of that, I also built a set of slapper bars that are long enough to reach the front spring eyes. Hopefully these parts will keep everything planted.

[@andrewparry6106]

Tempted to redo a raptor..any good?

[@mavicpro7494]

I'm putting a 77 hornet together with about 370 hp and have been wondering how to control the axle wrap . Looks like the answer is easier than I thought !

[@paulpepi1047]

Pretty darn good for your first attempt Tony , that spring info was good , real good , I was going to put some old school tramp bars on my 65 valiant but now I don't 👍

[@jeromebreeding3302]

Had a 59 Ford, that like all 59-64, was a tail dragger. Most people added long shackles at that back. A batter remedy is to re-arch and add two or three leaves. That's what I did. It gave the car a mild rake, and solved traction problems with my 390 ,C-6 combo.

[@eliinthewolverinestate6729]

Thanks Uncle Tony. Been looking at my sagging wagoneer. Gonna put a lift kit on it.

[@johndifabrizio4344]

Yes you passed the test! This video is very helpful. I learn a lot on leaf spring thank you!

[@BearHomeOwnerDIY]

Yep! This is old school as it's been around for ages for mopar - both pinion snubber and move clamps to forward edge of springs.

[@arthurmoore1524]

Man Tony I've got a Nova, it's got a 375hp/425tq 327 with some head work and it's .30 It's not a power issue whatsoever it curves and performs well... freely I just can't get it to hook and tubbing isn't in it's near future, 235/70/15 is the limit on tire size. I'm gonna weld the diff this weekend until I finish the 12 bolt I'm building for it to hopefully take care of this issue with a 4:11 spool This video has given me some good teachings, thanks.

[@jackstraw8786]

Lighting was the biggest issue, you explained it well enough i could do the job in the dark though.

[@dougcrosby6994]

I've done this before as well and it's very effective. What I'd really like to see is the effective changes it makes to the spring rate. I can say that after adding the clamps on the front of the springs that it required less shock settings. Cool old info! Keep it up!

[@RK48frazergasser]

You did great uncle Tony its just like the first time with a young lady. The more time with it it will be easy

[@MySparkle888]

Uncle Tony is now survivor man!

[@N2YTA]

I love the new camera angles. You passed the test.

[@foxisretrofitting4556]

This is good information. I feel like this would be good for trucks and vans as well to help spread the mileage on the springs as well. You're doing better than I would with a selfie stick. Most of my stuff is done camera in hand, on tripod, or done in bit by bit sections and then edited. I'd be lost if someone handed me a selfie stick.

[@jeffduncan9140]

Great job keeping what you're filming in frame, Tony. My suggestion would be to have some back lighting to eliminate the shadowing.

[@patricklynch1962]

You guys are doing fine with the camera. Good info, too.

[@N1NJ4K1TT3NNCT]

I enjoy the solo uncle tony cam! I could tell you you were having a blast trying to figure it out.

[@scotthendrickson8509]

I have axle wrap from braking. 2000 silverado. Speed doesnt matter. It wraps and squeels even lightly coming to a stop. Let foot of brake and it clunks and squeels. I put all new suspension components from new rack to bilsteins and new leaf packs. New coil springs. New bushings everywhere. Motors mounts Transmission mount. Literally brand new truck. Rides great for about 3 stoplights, and then the braking shifts the rear and also shifts the front go where the coil spring moves and the truck sags on driver side. Starts riding like the truck is bottoming out. Its my gremlin. Lol then over speed bumps, front and rear suspension feel loose and the squeel like a seal. We put it back on the rack, everything appears great. Aligns perfectly. Starts driving like a solid new teuck again for like 10 minutes. The back to a loose suspension. Heres my list of final things to check and i give up 😂 -Cab mounts -calipers locking up. -checking for shiny spots From there, im lost lol 😅 and so are the 2 shops that i had do the truck. They are friends and for scheduling reasons, one did the new rack and the other did everything else.

[@JacksonEngineering]

UT, the camera work was actually not at all bad. Not only that, but the quick and easy tip for my favorite style of suspension was excellent! Keep it up dude!

[@vertexjeff4318]

Hey Tony - you did a good job holding the camera. The only suggestion I have is to try to improve the lighting when you are showing details under, or inside the car. Thanks for what you do, dude!

[@ericfaley9019]

Your kinda makes us dizzy but your learning. I ran the Mopar performance spring clamps in the 80’s on my Road Runner along with a pinion snubber and battery in truck.

[@Daniel-fd3wp]

Utg the Camera angle is great and the info is great. Mopar Al your channel is great Dude. Never a dule moment with these two channels.👍👍

[@morelanmn]

Tony, you did ok filming this. It just takes some time to get the hang of it. You did seen super clean in the Go-Pro. It would be nice for you to address the axle placement on the leaf spring. Thanks

[@DustinHayre]

This is the kind of great content I subscribed to the channel for. More of this and less talk about EVs and other junk, please!

[@DDSpeedShop]

Haha change is good. I'm just amazed your brain doesn't overheat from 2 tasks at once.

[@GRIDKEEPER]

Thank you! Am doing this right now for a 3,000HP Jensen Interceptor.

[@Geoduck.]

Yea, you did fine my friend it's about content not fancy camera work. The go-pro technique will come with experience as others have mentioned good lighting is important but we could see what you were talking about.

[@bw3506]

With my Dodge mud race truck I took some heavy strap like 3/8" thick 3" wide. I drilled and bolted through it with grade 8 1/2" bolts with nyloc nuts on the outside of the springs. I did that so it cold be left loose enough to let the springs slip just a little. It has lift blocks so the spring wrap is terrible. They are way stronger than that tin crap they put on from the factory. Of course my truck is abused severely and these fixed the issue. I run them on the front axle too even though it doesn't use blocks there.

[@jackm.3666]

Thanks guys. The camera work was fine. I always learn something new. Keep them coming!

[@dubesmechanics170]

Thank you Tony! my dads 04 f350 is missing spring clamps in all, and both his rear leaf packs are separating and getting out of alignment. He tows alot with it and looks like a replacement rear spring has 2 alignment clamps

[@James-xo4uv]

Uncle Tony , you mentioned Dodge Trucks , well they offered an additional shock setup that went on the top of the axle and the other end went to the frame rail , to help with axle wrap , for the 4x4 trucks , I'm not sure if would help on 4x2 trucks, I got off topic.

[@James-xo4uv]

@@real0072 ok thanks

[@jimmywilkinson9190]

My dad had a 1966 dodge truck! when the motor got tired instead of taking it to Mr. Fuller he got a motor out of a wrecked 67 TDPS polecat . It was wrapped under a oak tree . His neighbor where the car was said that the TDPS never wanted to see that car again . The patrolman died in it . this was in 91 and Bill and my dad took the engine and completely overhauled it . Bill did the painting and taped off the decals saying INTERCEPTOR on the Valve covers . So this is how this about your video . When you stomped it the wheel hop was so bad it would snap the flywheel cross " flex plate " so my dad said they were getting hard to come by so he quit punching it . That 440 screamed !!!!!

[@HotSneks]

I understood everything you explained, and now I'm subbed. :)

[@HarleyHawk1]

We got the idea. I love the science stuff like this. These are the best. Thanks Uncle Tony

[@jgadventures6409]

Ok so this worked so well. I couldnt shift gears with out my turbo 5.3 i280 would shake very bad i put just one clamp on each side on the biggest helper spring and its a new animal

[@ver48]

Would clamping helps with hauling load with a truck?

[@RabidTransitGarage]

I gotta say that was very entertaining with you filming yourself and it turned out great!

[@garywinkel1831]

Lol, you did great, Tony. Nice job on the selfie stick! You were almost as good as a teenage girl! Great content, great video!

[@briansorvik7316]

Thanks for the great tip on leaf springs. i will be using it on my 69 Road Runner rear suspension when I get to that point in my restoration. Thanks for the great video.

[@johnmcdonald1293]

Great work TONY love the show from Australia.

[@bruceadams3687]

Hey ,first time in your shop. I think you did a pretty good job with the camera on a stick! I learned about clamps on the front of the leaf spring today. Very valuable info. I did not know that! Thanks for sharing.

[@mromatic17]

you did a good job tony! It just goes to show how much hard work Cathy does behind the camera and editing.

[@GearheadBryan]

Mike maier Inc makes leafs with this in mind for mustang/ falcons. Really great guy with cool stuff

[@ThomasThornton-zh7cl]

Tony Your doing great! I always like your show, and ya, this leaf spring IS a help thanks

[@dirtyburd71]

GoPro! I'm proud of you Tony! 😊

[@Sedan57Chevy]

Good info and a good job with the camera. A little fun is always good! You've got a great personality for this more vlog-style video- Even without editing you're still very good at getting your point across.

[@jbmopar1971]

Good job uncle Tony, already proud of you! 👍👍👍

[@kaytme5915]

❤Love the video! Your concern is great! My F-250 has now broken 3 main leaf springs? At the rear of the Ubolts. Twice on the driverside once on the passenger side. All stock, no lift kits. Stock tires. Could you give me a clue what the issue might be? I'm retired only keep about 1500 pounds in the bed. Steel topper, 6500 watt generator, 100 gallons of water & gas's. Mostly go camping & it's a 2019 Crew Cab F-250 4x4.

[@ericdeven1296]

Lol. That was a laugh. You'll get there, that wasnt so bad. Try illuminating the underside of the car, it was a bit dark, or does the camera have lights on it? The angles were good, and the distances were spot on. It was funny because it was like looking in a mirror, unsure yet blundering on, and making it work out for the best. Thanks for all the glorious knowlege you pass on from experienced to novice.

[@johncholmes643]

You look good Tony. Great job!

[@noahriding5780]

How much can your leaf springs be allowed to bend, with it not being a problem? And how much bend should you worry about them being pushed down? (For older leaf springs this might not be the same as when they are new.) Like @7:10 it looks very flat, while newer leaf springs look more Bow shaped. And does it matter which kind of clamp you use? What do you look for in clamps?

[@frankholeton6133]

Howdy Tony...Honestly, Considering I worked in a Spring Shop. basicly since I could walk...I've heard about everything until this...Your about halfway there...but those rear clips are there for damn good reasons...Reconsider the nonsense...Sincerely and with respect

[@Dwigt_Rortugal]

You are a fantastic teacher.

[@kymopar]

I have a dodge truck..SUPER GOOD VIDEO!..thanks!

[@oldschoolmotorsickle]

Hey Tony, Go Film Yourself already! Good job! I used to do a clamp job on leaf springs. It works.

[@m44guy]

I remember the old guy at work. Back in the day he said he used to wrap the front of the leaf springs in duct tape for when he went racing for the night. If I remember he said it was a Studebaker

[@jeanlawson9133]

This could have been useful back in the 70's when I was in highschool.....I had these friends that were twins.... with a 77 bandit edition TA we called them 2 tons of Fun needless to say the leaf springs could have used a upgrade...😮 What about a motorized selfie stick where it can go in and out and rotate left and right 👍.... Awesome video...

[@Zachsmoparandmashedpotatos]

I feel ya ,I hate filing myself lol ! I’m definitely going to add some extra clamps to my truck springs! I never had any issues with hop with the ODa833 behind the 318. Now with a 408 and non OD trans I’m going to need that reinforcement!

[@CrazyWillie01]

Loved it Uncle Tony , Hotrod Jesus up in Manatoba goes on and on about . I went ahead and prescribed

[@beardedreviews]

Uncle Tony, you're the best vlogger I know. You forgot to tell us to smash the like button though

[@MagaRickn]

I have old school "Lakewood Slapper Traction Bars" on my 56 Chevy with a big block. How does that compare to adding clamps to the springs?? Good video. Get you some more light and it will be fine!

[@JayGuitars1]

Aye Tony. Anyone who has been here more than 15mins knows what you sound like. Keep it simple and keep your head out of the picture and we’ll all concentrate on that intelligent output you give. If anyone needs to see what you look like, start up an only fans 😂🚀