Hello all. Still trying to figure how to set up my springs...Kinda doing two things at once here a 4wd conversion/SAS..
Hoping I could get some input from those of you who have factory/ semi factory sprung 4wd 1 ton IDI's.
Currently my 2wd DRW has no blocks on the rear stack.
My donor d60 came with the two factory tapered springs and two add-a-leafs on each spring stack.
I am looking for a factory/ semi factory height..or possibly leveled..
There will be an 8 ft plow on the front..
I have only been able to referance one other truck , a 97 F350 cab/chassis.
it also only had the 2 tapered springs..
I understand that factory rear blocks will be 4" in the rear, but not sure on the spring stack up..

SO if ya wouldnt mind , share with me what setups are on your factory trucks so I could compare leaf stacks and try to get to somewhat of factory 1 ton 4wd stance..
Thanks a bunch
btw my rear stack is 5 leaf , 1" block then helper spring...Guess the most importnt question is, do you 1 ton 4wd guys have 5 leafs with the 4" block out back?

 

I had a chance to get to the yard my d60 was pulled at. The donor truck was indeed an 87. It had a 5 leaf stack with the 4" block.. the difference being it didn't have the 1" block and the helper spring. Guessing cause it was a srw truck.

 

F350's all came with different spring packs depending on order or weight rating.


5 leaf pack, with 4" blocks would be the stock setup for the weakest setup on an F350.

Overloads were on an option on all F-series trucks from the factory or dealer, even F150's had overload options. Overloads don't affect empty ride, or ride height.




My 1990 F250 4x4 Diesel has 5 leafs in the back with a 2" block, and it has a level stance.

And only 2 leaf springs up front (negative arch on F250's). Think the F350's only had 2 also, but positive arch.

I'd say your 2 add-a-leafs aren't necessary for just driving the truck, but since you'll be putting a plow on it, you'll be able to keep a level stance, even with the plow.

 

Thanks for the reply
I grabbed a pic of the rear springs of the donor d60...these two pics were as the truck was in the yard..I actuall am removing 3 7/16" peices from the front stack that were being used as a block of sorts..comes out to just shy of 1-1/4"
This truck also was set up with a plow..I should have paid more attention to the stance before they pulled it..
I am still waiting to see this negative/positive arch thing...
Both my 250 and 350 diesel springs looks the same unsprung..pretty much straight..
Thanks so much for the input , this is helping greatly

 

The negative arch F250 springs actually have more load capacity by 1500lbs than F350 springs, reason for this is to compensate for the IFS. You could use the F250 springs on your D60, but you might as well run no suspension at all....

That's why they are negative arch, they don't have alot of travel. Both F250/350 springs should be pretty straight unloaded though. But the F350 springs should be slightly positive even unloaded. Maybe the ones you got are pretty worn and tired.

Here is a friend of mines '91 F250 Diesel, with 2 add-a-leafs per side on his D50 IFS axle, with these add a leafs, the leafs sit flat now, and well, it has no suspension. You can run over a dime in the road and tell what date was on it!




His truck has a nice stance though, has an F350 stance actually. He has 4" blocks in the back, with those add-a-leafs in the front.


Here is my bone stock 4x4 F250 Diesel, you can see the front leafs are negative.

 

Thats awesome...Thanks for the pics...
I do like the stance of the grey truck.
I guess I will have to assume that the springs are worn..I took a peek at a guys 97 with plow and dump body , and his front leafs were sagging in the negative direction..Thats why I was getting confused ..guessing I have been looking at some tired springs.
So I guess I have a few options, but since I wont be buying a new set of springs any time soon, I can either try them with or without the add a leafs.
Going on that they are possibly tired, and with a plow, I think I will leave them in...If the ride sucks that bad I guess I will have to scrape up for some new springs in the future...

that brings me back to the rear...so it looks like If I go with the 4" block in the back it will be a good choice no matter what combo I go with in the front, considering I am pulling apx 1.25" from the front(assuming the truck sat level)

 

Another option for your plow truck, would be front air bags.

Another friend of mine just recently bought an '89 F250 4x4 ex plow truck, and it's got these on it.


I like where he put the air nipple to inflate the bags.

 

That is a option, kinda be able to switch between both worlds