so I pulled the 8 bolt axle out of my 49 last night and chunks of springs came with it. there is at least 4 broken springs per side. so since they need replaced I was thinking on mounting some different springs up under it maybe give it a softer ride but still be able to tow a car trailer. and since we are at it maybe a softer set for the front. what have others done to get a better ride with out converting to coils. I don't want it dropped either

 

My F-2 has overload springs. The main stack isn't that stiff. When you put a load in the truck it lands on the overload springs. Then you are stable so you can haul a lot of weight.

 

If you want a softer ride that the F3 springs, but don't want to drop it, put in a set of stock replacement F1 springs You will still be able to tow an 8K# trailer.
After installing you can still remove some leafs from the stacks for a softer ride yet, but that will drop the truck some, depending on how many you remove. If you are towing a heavy tongue weight trailer, use a load equalizer hitch rather than extra beefy springs. I saw a demo once where they towed a 10K# trailer with a FWD tow vehicle with a load equalizer hitch with the rear wheels removed from the tow vehicle. The hitch actually takes weight off the rear of the tow vehicle. I used one with my enclosed car trailer, and I am sold on their use.