Frame / Springs: Eaton rear lowering springs.

[Swede.]

Are anyone running the 3" 'bellow' 'Eaton' rear leaf springs? Saw they are available in both heavy duty, five leaf and standard four leaf, and anywhere from 3" lift to a 3" drop.
I have a -53 Champion and the springs are really soft! Rear leafs have a very slight upward arch at ride hight now so they are definitely not healthy. Would like the car really low so am interested in where it will sit with the 3" drop and ride with HD vs. standard.
(just put 3" drop blocks in but with the soft springs it only leaves 1/2" before hitting the bump stop 😁!)
Any all info appreciated, and some pix would rock too.

[Swede.]

This is where I've seen them btw.:

https://www.eatondetroitspring.com/db/es-partsinquiry2.php?syear=1953&smake=Studebaker&smodel=Commander&sbody=2%20DR%20Starlight%20Hardtop%20Coupe&seng=V8%203.8L%20-%20232cid

[Swede.]

Pretty surprised nobody used these! Eaton is a huge company and it's not like there is a ton of other springs out there for these cars...
I probably try them anyways, since there is no other alternative, and see how they sit.

[rowan]

Lots of folks on the forum like Eaton - I’m sure someone has used the 3” drop, they just haven’t seen your post. There is a modified studebaker page on Facebook that may be some help.

[Swede.]

I'm on the 'Racing Studebakers' forum to and I'll check there too. Seen quite a few like to build thier own from all kinds of brands since the 2.5" width is so common, but that seems like a lot of work and messing around when these new ones are only 280 bucks!

[Flashback]

I have never used any. I know some friends who have used some built here local at a spring shop (not Eaton )and were pleased.

[RadioRoy]

There is always the option of lowering blocks, too. But that means the springs have to be good.

[r1lark]

There is always the option of lowering blocks, too. But that means the springs have to be good.

Roy, in post #1, the original poster stated: just put 3" drop blocks in but with the soft springs it only leaves 1/2" before hitting the bump stop 😁!

[RadioRoy]

Oops! My bad.

[52-fan]

Roy, in post #1, the original poster stated: just put 3" drop blocks in but with the soft springs it only leaves 1/2" before hitting the bump stop 😁!

I guess I am missing something. What is the difference in lowering the car 3" with blocks or using different springs? Doesn't the rear end still end up the same distance from the frame?

[Swede.]

There is always the option of lowering blocks, too. But that means the springs have to be good.

Thats just the problem with mine. Sitting on the ground they are flat with a very minimal arch. I did put three inch blocks in and it sets it really nice! But only give a quarter inch (index finger!) 'travel' on the drivers side (to the stock bumpstop) and slightly touching on the passenger side...

[Hallabutt]

I bet that you bottom out on an extreme dip. Is the front the same height?

[Swede.]

Is the front the same height?

Got about 3.5 inch clearance from the front crossmember/bellcranck bearing to the ground. Planing to rebuild the whole front suspension eventually, but want to drive the car some first (been sitting 15+ years) and likely get Commander springs then since it have a 350 Chevy in it and the Champion springs seems rather soft and have signs of suspension arms hiting both the frame and inner fenders...