New rear springs are in!

I finally got around to putting a new set of springs in the rear end of my 72 Gran Torino, and what a HUGE difference it makes! I was able to significantly compress the old springs just by putting my body weight on them (I weigh about 175 BTW). I replaced the old ones with a set of variable rate springs that I picked up from Autozone. With the new springs in it actually feels like the car is holding on to the road, I also don't get the violent rear end shake that I used to on hard acceleration or speeds exceeding 85 MPH. I'm really happy with them and am looking for more upgrades that I can make to the rear end before I swap the 8" for the 9" that I'm working on (I have no idea how the 8" got in there in the first place). I'm looking to spend about $400 on the next round of upgrades and a full set of KYB gas-a-just shocks are already at the top of the list.

Gas-a-just shocks are great in my opinion. That's what I have on my car. I do need new springs though bc mine are weak. How much did your cost?

If I remember correctly the full set of springs (both front and rear) ran me about $250, the variables running about $110, IIRC. I got 429 springs for the front and the variable rate springs out back. Nothing special or over the top, just fresh springs. I'll be changing the front springs once I've got the shocks and do it all in one shot.

I went with the variable "cargo coil" spings in my Elite when I did the suspension overhall- poly bushings, shocks, springs, and swaybars. They do make a significant difference over the 30+ year-old springs that were probably in there. I also have the KYB shocks. Up front, I used the HD springs (which I think are the standard 460+AC spings, anyway) and cut about a coil and a half off to raise the rate just a tiny bit more and give the car a little more rake. The car handles and corners wonderfully.

Summit lists a universal rear sway bar kit, would this be something to consider getting for my car? I also have a 1" sway bar off of a 72 Ranchero GT that I want to put on in place of the 7/8" bar, opinions?

Eh... I wouldn't get anything "universal" for the suspension. You can get Addco front and rear swaybars for about $150 each from Summit. Just do a search for "torino sway bar" and pick your year. They have a 7/8 for the back and 1 1/8 for the front; this really is all the swaybar you'll need considering you already have heavy duty springs to go with them.