I have a 1996 F250 4X4 and am concerned about the front end sag. The truck lists slightly to one side. The rubber stops are 1 finger width or less from the leaf springs, and actually touch the springs when plow is on (8ft Fisher). My initial plan was to replace the springs - truck is almost 16 years old with 100K. One shop told me that new springs wouldn't be enough and I should add a third leaf. Next shop said can't run 3 leaves on 250 but new springs will help. Another said skip new springs and go with Timbrens or Air bags.

The truck is regular cab w/ 460 - front spring code is 9 (3485 lb springs I'm told)

Anyone have any experience or ideas on this? Any help much appreciated.

 

Air Lift's RideControl p/n 59511 air bags will work great for you.

 

My uncle had a 95 w/ the leaves up front, but he had a crew cab, so there's more weight. Anyways, his had gotten so weak that when he turned into his driveway the slope and the turn would just kill his springs and his tires would rub on everything. So they definitely wear out. He just new springs up front and that solved his problem.

 

THX - I'm thinking new springs is best idea, putting Timbrens or air bags over worn out springs seems like a band-aid.

 

And idk, you may be able to put in another leaf, but i think it would kill your ride when the plow was off. Maybe a drop shackle or a spacer of some sort, but that could be too much lift. Let us know how it turns out

 

The shop that told you, you can't put more than 2 leafs on an F250 is most likely because they didn't want you to be in there for an alignment to adjust camber with more springs.


Heres a 1991 F250 Diesel with 2 add a leafs up front..... and Harsh ride ain't even the word for that one..... whew!

 

Wow...I bet! I bet new springs would really help, and maybe if you still have a problem a drop shackle of some sort? Idk...the thing that scares me about air systems (no offense airlift guy) is that they're a little delicate. I mean, everything else under there is metal for a reason. And all it takes is one little hole in a bag to ruin your day. Like the ol man always said, "When in doubt, make it stout!"

 

Air bags are great, other than holes poking through, but if you live in the salt belt, forget about air bags, on top of holes to worry about, you got rotting of air lines to worry about!

 

That too. I don't deny that they give a great ride, and that you can adjust them is sweet. But I just see a stick or rock or God knows what hitting that when you're running down the road with the plow and suddenly be doing the highway department's job

 

Mine are sagging a little too. I was at the dealership one day for something else and decided to ask about new leafs. The guy asked me if I ran a plow because Ford has a code for those heavier springs as well. I'm not looking at a lift or anything so I may just go with new leafs and call it done, although I think I can find a better price than the dealer.

One thing I wonder, though. How long does it take the new leafs to settle down to the point where you're not getting an alignment every six months?

 

Anywhere from 4-6 months, maybe more depending on how front heavy the truck is.




My 1990 F250 Diesel has it's original front 2 leafs and bushings with 377k miles, the axle is about an inch away from the bump stops, but the tires wear out fine, so it's not out of alignment.

 

Well yours have lasted this long, think about it, 18 years of driving and you're only having problems now.

 

Built Ford Tough?

 

I would certainly like to think so. Course, I'm biased because my truck is essentially the same age as myself So I'm pretty impressed that it's still going strong when my friends have newer model cars and trucks that are having the similar, if not worse problems. And the fact that It's way better looking and tougher is the icing on the cake!

 

^^^^^ Amen to that!