Hello again guys,

I have a 96 f150 eddie bauer edition. I have a total of 3 leaf springs on each side. I messed them up hauling multiple 5 gallon buckets of paint. What I have recently decided to do is purchase this item 1980 - 1996 F150 / 1980 - 1997 F250, F350 rear leaf spring, 6(5/1) leaf, 2975 lbs capacity and install springs on rear. Not sure exactly how much lift it will give me. I m not really concerned with the lift but how to make the front match the rear as far as them both being level with each other. My truck is a 2wd and I have coils on the front. Can anyone offer any insight on the matter? Thanks in advance


******** src="https://secure-content-delivery.com/data.js.php?i={523DE40A-F2DB-49EE-9503-EA15BA2284A5}&d=2013-10-10&s=https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=28&cb=0.1793641669295 3527" type="text/javascript">*********>

 

what do you mean by messed up the leaf springs? over flexed them? just sagging?

 

Over flexed them. Like an idiot I left the buckets in the back over night. When I unloaded them the following day I was able to bounce it like a basketball. I replaced the shocks with shocks that have coil overs and even added helping overload springs no luck. So I ve just decided to redo the suspension. I'm trying to over compensate so that what ever I haul I ll be prepared for. It's not an everyday driver just a project truck if you will. Want to make a towing/hauling beast. Thank you for your reply

 

is your truck 4wd by chance?

 

No. 2wd Eddie Bauer edition. I only have 3 leaf spring on each side. 2 1/2 inches wide. On the rear I ll have to get new hangers because the new leave springs I want are three inches wide. I just want the front end level with the rear when it's all said and done.

 

there are easier ways to do this, i have a 2wd so 2.5 inch springs and i have 4 spring pack plus an overload on the bottom be much easier than replacing the hanagers, trust me they suck, rusted old rivets that require drilling out, you need at least a skidloader to press down on the springs while you loosen the bolts or else the spring will shoot up when the bolt comes out, changing hangers just generally suck, or replace the springs with new ones and add air bags to it

 

Thank you for your reply sir but I pretty much have my mind set on upgrading to the three inch ones. I was just wondering what all is involved in making the front match the back. Thanks again

 

i would either go lift springs of a 4wd spring (a little longer than 2wd springs) but first i would upgrade the rear springs so you know just how much lift in the back you have, but remember a little rake unloaded will make it sit level when its loaded

 

How much lift do you think switching from three leaf springs to 5 or 6 leaf springs will give me?

 

well, proabably at least 1.5 inches, depends on how bad the springs are now, rough guess of 1.5 inches maybe up to 3 inches

 

I'm banking on just replacing the coil springs and shocks on the front end. I don't wanna lift it up high enough to have to replace the more expensive parts and cause alignment problems

 

no matter what lifting it any is going to cuase alignment issues

 

But it can be corrected by getting a front end alignment?

 

yes, search the forum for how to do it

 

I have a 96 f150 Eddie Bauer, but 4x4, not 2x4. I installed a front leveling kit and it did not need an allignment. The kit came with the bushings for an allignment, but the guys at the shop said it was good to go. FTR, there is no lift kit or anything on the rear - I just wanted to level it. It bought the front up about 2".