Since the diesel swap, the front of my 69 F250 has been settling, and has gone a bit further than expected. It needs shocks anyways, so I was thinking maybe air shocks. It already has really heavy springs but the engine in it weighs a good 500lbs more than an FE, so even they aren't quite up to it.
Does anyone know what air shocks would fit this application?

 

Consider air bags instead, they make air bags that fit inside the coils and work very well.

 

If your truck is 2WD the first think I would do is swap out the coils for '73-'79 460 coils.

 

I wouldn't recommend air shocks unless you plan to beef up the factory mounts. Most shock mounts are not designed to support the weight of the vehicle and can/will fail if put under a serious load.

Your best route is to use a spring to get you where you want first, particularly if it is a constant weight like an engine. If it is a removable weight, such as a plow, I always suggest air bags for their diversity.

Airbags might be a cheaper route for you to try though if a new set of coils is going to be way too stiff, or too tall. The kit we would offer for your application is 80590. I should mention, this kit would only work for 2WD.

 

500LBS MORE THAN AN FE ?? JESUS !!!

 

And people get upset when you tell them putting one of these in an F100/150 is a bad idea......

 

Air shocks are not listed for the front in the 1964/72 & 1973/79 Ford truck parts catalogs, only "Auto Flex" "Auto Flex H/D" "Superflex" & 1973/79 (only) "Sure Trackers"

Air shocks are listed for the rear in the 1973/79 catalog. All these Auto-Lite/Motorcraft shocks, as I recall, were made by Monroe.

 

Never mind changed my mind

 

Thanks- This truck had some very heavy duty springs up front when I got it, it had a 300lb PTO winch hanging off the front. With that off, the truck sat really nose high, and when I first dropped the 7.3 in it sat about where it should have but has settled since then, so I'm not sure if bigger/beefier coils would help. Plus, I have a 60gallon fuel cell that is getting mounted at the front of the bed, that weighs over 100lbs by itself and fuel is about 7lbs per gallon- That's a potential swing of 400lbs that will have some influence on the front axle weight as well.
The air springs do look good and are a lot less than I expected. I may have to go that route. Plus, I am planning a three-link rear suspension with airbags and will need on-board air to run that. The stock leaf springs are not up to the torque this engine makes, even with a really good set of high GVW springs, it has horrible axle wrap.