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E-body trunk torsion springs

Posted By: burdar

E-body trunk torsion springs - 02/26/09 11:47 PM

I have a question reguarding the possition of the trunk torsion springs. As you can see in the picture, there are multiple holes for the spring to go into. Depending on what hole you put the spring in, you would get more or less tension on the spring. Did cars that had spoilers from the factory have the springs installed in a different hole than cars without spoilers? I would think that the added weight of the spoiler would require more tension on the trunk springs in order to keep it open. If not...why all the extra holes?

Attached picture 5055610-4512519-Copyof100_3153[1].jpg
Posted By: screamindriver

Re: E-body trunk torsion springs - 02/27/09 12:00 AM

Yes, depending on the added weight it would have been at a different setting...Remember there was two different spoilers and also a luggage rack available in 1970...Also, generally 70 had two torsion bars and 71 had only one...
Posted By: burdar

Re: E-body trunk torsion springs - 02/27/09 02:47 AM

Really...71 only had one bar? My 73 has 2 and you couldn't even get a spoiler from the factory.
Posted By: hemi68charger

Re: E-body trunk torsion springs - 02/27/09 03:13 AM

Quote:

Really...71 only had one bar? My 73 has 2 and you couldn't even get a spoiler from the factory.



Yeap, '71 only had one.. Maybe they tried to cut costs and then realized it was a mistake, hence the 2 rod setup came back?
Posted By: cataclysm80

Re: E-body trunk torsion springs - 02/27/09 03:58 AM

with everything said above...

Now if we could only get some info from survivor cars about which hole to use for what application?

Or Maybe we could just weigh the 4 options?
No Spoiler or luggage rack = lightest weight
Go Wing, Trans Am spoiler, Luggage Rack weigh how much?

I know if you use a fiberglass reproduction Trans Am spoiler that it's heavy enough that none of the tension setting will lift the trunk lid properly.

Tav
Posted By: 3406pac

Re: E-body trunk torsion springs - 02/27/09 05:14 AM

Ive asked that same question here before and only got the above responses.
Are there different lengths?
Mine seems to pop out on the right side and that is with very little tension. Although it may be bent and I dont know it. I wouldnt think that spring steel would bend and loose its memory. It is a 71 challenger vert on a plain trunk.
Thanks
Posted By: 340SIX

Re: E-body trunk torsion springs - 02/27/09 05:23 AM

I am also interested in this topic.
Plus whats the thing on the mat close to the tire?
Posted By: Topcat

Re: E-body trunk torsion springs - 02/27/09 05:32 AM

Take a look. 2 bars.

Attached picture 5056565-torsionbars.jpg
Posted By: moparmarks

Re: E-body trunk torsion springs - 02/27/09 12:25 PM

I've found that in 71 the Cudas had 2 rods and the Barracudas and Grand Coupes had one rod. Thats just what I've seen.
Posted By: burdar

Re: E-body trunk torsion springs - 02/27/09 12:29 PM

Not only is that a 71 and it has two springs but...the orange body plugs for shock access, aren't on the top of the trunk pan. I thought 70-71 had the plug on top and 72-74 had it on the side. Maybe that's just on the Challengers?
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: E-body trunk torsion springs - 02/27/09 03:40 PM

The thing on the mat is a plastic bag that contained the valve stem caps. If you look you can see the white dot at the end of them. Originally, the cars came with the longer caps that had a white "push type" button in them. They were a pain especially if you tagged a curb and then pinched the cap, gave you a nice and slow air leak.
Posted By: cataclysm80

Re: E-body trunk torsion springs - 02/28/09 04:30 AM

Again.

That's probably Dave Waldens car in the pic right?

Maybe he could shed some light onto the topic of trunk torsion bars for us with his extensive research.

Tav
Posted By: cudablues

Re: E-body trunk torsion springs - 02/28/09 02:41 PM

My 73 Cuda has 1 rod.
Posted By: gtx6970

Re: E-body trunk torsion springs - 02/28/09 02:46 PM

Quote:

Not only is that a 71 and it has two springs but...the orange body plugs for shock access, aren't on the top of the trunk pan. I thought 70-71 had the plug on top and 72-74 had it on the side. Maybe that's just on the Challengers?



metal shock plugs are typically 1970 only, but have been found on some early 71's . where the orange plug on the side of the hump is typical for 1971 and later
Posted By: Morty426

Re: E-body trunk torsion springs - 02/28/09 05:26 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Really...71 only had one bar? My 73 has 2 and you couldn't even get a spoiler from the factory.



Yeap, '71 only had one.. Maybe they tried to cut costs and then realized it was a mistake, hence the 2 rod setup came back?



I've seen mid year cars with no spoiler or luggage rack have one rod (which is thicker) and late 71 having two rods.

I would bet that a 71 car with a spoiler or luggage rack would have two rods
Posted By: 3406pac

Re: E-body trunk torsion springs - 09/09/09 04:24 AM

7 Months later, and the mystery remains. Maybe this time it wont go so off subject.
Posted By: Alaskan_TA

Re: E-body trunk torsion springs - 09/09/09 04:50 AM

My T/A (with spoiler) has two rods.

My '71 (no spoiler) had one rod, but it was a larger diameter.

Is that a fake vehicle traveler sheet I see?
Posted By: Snoopy

Re: E-body trunk torsion springs - 09/09/09 07:51 AM

You decide.

Attached picture 5471553-70-71E-BodyTrunkLidTorsionBars.jpg
Posted By: Snoopy

Re: E-body trunk torsion springs - 09/09/09 07:56 AM

Quote:

I've seen mid year cars with no spoiler or luggage rack have one rod (which is thicker) and late 71 having two rods.

I would bet that a 71 car with a spoiler or luggage rack would have two rods




What do you think the multiple slots in the anchor brackets are for?
Read the factory service manual for deck lid tension adjustment.
Posted By: cudaized

Re: E-body trunk torsion springs - 09/09/09 02:20 PM

This set up works with my 1970 `cuda.
Second version trunk lid.

Attached picture 5471857-Dsc01254b.jpg
Posted By: cudaized

Re: E-body trunk torsion springs - 09/09/09 02:21 PM

Passenger side.

Attached picture 5471862-Dsc01255b.jpg
Posted By: cudaized

Re: E-body trunk torsion springs - 09/09/09 02:23 PM

Turn the key to open the trunk... and the trunk lid opens this far.
Too much spring tension and it will pop up fully open (you don't want that).

Attached picture 5471867-DSC01253.JPG
Posted By: cudaized

Re: E-body trunk torsion springs - 09/09/09 02:25 PM

Second version of the 1970 trunk lid.

Attached picture 5471869-DSC01256.JPG
Posted By: hemicar1971

Re: E-body trunk torsion springs - 09/09/09 08:45 PM

Nice car Ola, thanks for the CD.

My 1971 Challenger Convt. early built car with a luggage rack uses one bar. My 1971 Challenger Hardtop Begining of June built car that came with a wing uses one Bar. At Carlisle a friend that has a 1971 Challenger that was built about 8000 cars behind mine told me he has the two bar system. I do not know the reasoning of why but Chrysler did start to change over to 1972 model parts around this time. My June built Challenger has many 1972 type parts. Slotted bumpers, 1972 trunk floor pan, etc. If this thread sticks around I will look at both my Nov. built 1971 Cudas and see what is in there trunks for a trunk bars.
Posted By: cudastruction

Re: E-body trunk torsion springs - 09/10/09 02:30 AM

I have a 71 cuda vert with a 1-1971 build date and it has one spring. I have no wing nor do I have a luggage rack. The drivers side is in the most forward slot and the passengers side goes up into a notch. My passenger side has a different bracket than the others shown.

Posted By: ramcharger1964

Re: E-body trunk torsion springs - 09/10/09 11:04 PM

Is there a tool for removing these bars from the holes? I had a @#$% of a time on my 64 Polara - I ended up cutting them out and then re-welding them back in (the mounting plates not the bars)!!!
Posted By: mccannix

Re: E-body trunk torsion springs - 09/11/09 01:28 AM

Also of note is the fact that Challenger torsion bars will not interchange with Cuda. They are 44 inches long on the straight measurement.
Cuda are 39 inches.
This is a 71 Challenger decklid, May SPD car, no wing or rack, has one rod and it is heavier than a Cuda rod.
Rod is in the third slot in, possibly because a Challenger lid is heavier than Cuda
Also Challenger htp mounting brackets are different than Cuda htp.

Attached picture 5475163-zblue.jpg
Posted By: mccannix

Re: E-body trunk torsion springs - 09/11/09 01:32 AM

71 Cuda hardtop, June SPD, factory wing, rod third slot in.
Mounting bracket is same as Ola's 70 Htp.

Attached picture 5475172-zplum.jpg
Posted By: mccannix

Re: E-body trunk torsion springs - 09/11/09 01:36 AM

70 Cuda convertible, Nov SPD, with factory luggage rack, 2 rods, third slot in.
Obvious difference in convertible mounting bracket.
Three different brackets so far.
Anyone have a picture of Challenger convertible bracket to see if it is different again?

Attached picture 5475184-zred.jpg
Posted By: gygeneral

Re: E-body trunk torsion springs - 09/11/09 01:58 AM

One from my 70 Challenger convertible

Attached picture 5475232-challenger011(Small).jpg
Posted By: mccannix

Re: E-body trunk torsion springs - 09/11/09 02:21 AM

Thanks Norm. E-body convertibles appear to share the same mounting bracket, as backed up by the parts books.
Posted By: B5TA

Re: E-body trunk torsion springs - 09/11/09 03:40 PM

Pics. of my "un-restored" '70 Challenger T/A

Attached picture 5475986-100_1151.jpg
Posted By: B5TA

Re: E-body trunk torsion springs - 09/11/09 03:41 PM

pic.2

Attached picture 5475989-100_1156.jpg
Posted By: shakerjoe

Re: E-body trunk torsion springs - 09/11/09 06:15 PM

my 05/26/71 trunk spring, no spoiler, original trunk lid

Attached picture 5476211-000_3091.jpg
Posted By: BarrsRestoration

Re: E-body trunk torsion springs - 09/12/09 12:10 PM

Quote:

Not only is that a 71 and it has two springs but...the orange body plugs for shock access, aren't on the top of the trunk pan. I thought 70-71 had the plug on top and 72-74 had it on the side. Maybe that's just on the Challengers?





That car started life as a 70 (2 springs!), owner wanted a 71. Trunk pan was aftermarket and pre-drilled for shock bolt holes.
Posted By: 70440+6bbl

Re: E-body trunk torsion springs - 09/12/09 11:24 PM

November built car (B05) unrestored car with original lid and no spoiler/luggage rack.





Posted By: BarrsRestoration

Re: E-body trunk torsion springs - 09/13/09 02:44 AM

Quote:

November built car (B05) unrestored car with original lid and no spoiler/luggage rack.











Rear window defroster? WOW!!! We don't see those around here. That looks to be in awesome condition for a Northern car.
Posted By: 70440+6bbl

Re: E-body trunk torsion springs - 09/13/09 03:17 AM

Thanks, it is one of the cleanest '70 'Cudas that I have owned, hard to believe considering it was a life long Buffalo, NY car (with a 2 year stint in California:-)!




The trunk floor was coated with some black goop many years ago and that surely helped preserve the trunk floor. Five cans of WD40 later, the original paint was looking pretty decent
Posted By: Dodge Don

Re: Mopar trunk torsion springs - Torque adjustment? - 02/07/10 01:27 AM

So for adjusting the decklid tosion bars, which holes create more torque, the ones furthest to rear or the ones furthest toward the front?
Posted By: 440challenger

Re: Mopar trunk torsion springs - Torque adjustment? - 02/07/10 12:31 PM

73 barracuda-1 rod
73 challenger- 2 rods
74 challenger- 2 rods
Posted By: cataclysm80

Re: Mopar trunk torsion springs - Torque adjustment? - 02/07/10 03:33 PM

Quote:

So for adjusting the decklid tosion bars, which holes create more torque, the ones furthest to rear or the ones furthest toward the front?



The holes closest to the rear seat have the least, and the holes closest to the tail lights have the most.

Usually if you add a spoiler or luggage rack to your car, you'll need to move the trunk torsion bar(s) a notch or two toward the tail lights.

Tav
Posted By: lahatte

Re: Mopar trunk torsion springs - Torque adjustment? - 11/11/11 06:57 AM

To add to this old thread, I have a 1972 318 Barracuda built in 7/1971, and it has one spring.
Posted By: slimert

Re: E-body trunk torsion springs - 11/11/11 04:13 PM

Quote:


Thanks, it is one of the cleanest '70 'Cudas that I have owned, hard to believe considering it was a life long Buffalo, NY car (with a 2 year stint in California:-)!



That is amazing! Must have been a summer car. Most Buffalo cars got ate up from the road salt.

My 71 Challenger early built 8/28 has single rod, no wing or rack. My friend has a slant 6 71 Chall vert that he added a go wing and it won't stay open. He wondered if there is a thicker single rod, or maybe making one.
Posted By: cataclysm80

Re: Mopar trunk torsion springs - Torque adjustment? - 11/27/11 04:48 PM

Quote:

To add to this old thread, I have a 1972 318 Barracuda built in 7/1971, and it has one spring.



That's extremely early, is it a pre-production test car?

Tav
Posted By: THESHAKERPROJECT

Re: Mopar trunk torsion springs - Torque adjustment? - 11/27/11 04:56 PM

I have a feb 71 Challenger with a spoiler... and 1 rod.
Posted By: Morty426

Re: Mopar trunk torsion springs - Torque adjustment? - 11/27/11 05:38 PM

Quote:

Quote:

To add to this old thread, I have a 1972 318 Barracuda built in 7/1971, and it has one spring.



That's extremely early, is it a pre-production test car?

Tav



It's also really odd as by June 71 Challengers had gone back to two springs
Posted By: cataclysm80

Re: Mopar trunk torsion springs - Torque adjustment? - 11/28/11 06:53 AM


Maybe the car was held over for test fitting since June? Maybe just a typo?

Tav
Posted By: BS27R1B

Re: E-body trunk torsion springs - 11/28/11 07:25 AM

Quote:

Not only is that a 71 and it has two springs but...the orange body plugs for shock access, aren't on the top of the trunk pan. I thought 70-71 had the plug on top and 72-74 had it on the side. Maybe that's just on the Challengers?



Late 71 cars can have the 72 trunk pan with the shock access holes on the rear side of the pan instaed of the top. From cars I have seen it seems like a switch some time in May 1971.
Posted By: lahatte

Re: Mopar trunk torsion springs - Torque adjustment? - 11/29/11 03:50 AM

The 1972 318 Barracuda is indeed 7/1971, as per the VIN sticker on the door. Sequence number is 0009xx. Here is a picture of it before I started tearing it down for a 1971 convertible conversion...


Attached picture 6941187-Photo0523.jpg
Posted By: Morty426

Re: E-body trunk torsion springs - 11/29/11 05:12 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Not only is that a 71 and it has two springs but...the orange body plugs for shock access, aren't on the top of the trunk pan. I thought 70-71 had the plug on top and 72-74 had it on the side. Maybe that's just on the Challengers?



Late 71 cars can have the 72 trunk pan with the shock access holes on the rear side of the pan instaed of the top. From cars I have seen it seems like a switch some time in May 1971.



I would agree. My Challenger 340 with an SPD of 520 has the later pan. My sixpack with a SPD of 331 has the early pan
Posted By: cataclysm80

Re: Mopar trunk torsion springs - Torque adjustment? - 12/27/11 04:07 AM

Quote:

The 1972 318 Barracuda is indeed 7/1971, as per the VIN sticker on the door. Sequence number is 0009xx. Here is a picture of it before I started tearing it down for a 1971 convertible conversion...




Wow, that's a real early built car. What's the Scheduled Production Date off the fender tag?

Tav
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