have a 2003 f-250 crew cab with 7.3L and fiberglass cap. The VIN code for springs is "VA"

I found this from another post.

>>>Originally posted by Stewart_H - Thanks Stewart <<<<<<

There is a two-character spring code on the vehicle certification sticker on the lower doorpost behind the driver's door. The first character is the front spring code, and the second character is the rear spring code. A common spring code for a CrewCab 4x4 would be VB. The V means 5,200 pounds front springs, and the B usually means the rear springs on an F-350 SRW. However, some F-250s also have code B rear springs.

Any pickup can have any available front spring code - depending on options, and it doesn't matter whether F-250, F-350 SRW or F-350 DRW. Here are the spring codes for the front leaf springs on '99 thru '04 PSD 4x4 pickups:

T = 4,400 pounds @ground
U = 4,800
V = 5,200
W = 5,600 (rare on a pickup)
X = 6,000 (only with snow-plow pkg on a pickup)

Rear spring codes:
A = F-250 & Excursion (6,084 pounds @ground)
B = F-350 SRW (6,830 pounds @ground)
C = F-350 DRW (8,250 pounds @ground)

If you already have code B rear springs, then you already have the same rear springs that are on F-350 SRWs.

<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

SO according to this the rear springs are rated for 6084 lbs. I was looking at a place and see these different springs

1999 - 2007 F250 Super Duty leaf springs

SO my question would the OEM rear springs be the 3000 lbs rating or 3300 lbs rated. I guess that is per side ratings.. They are considered the 5 leaf with 4/1 and there is a single spring above this pack that appears to be a overload type spring?

If i were to go up to stronger spring what would that do..

 

stronger springs will stiffen the ride and may raise the unloaded height

 

ATS Springs is one of the site vendors and several of us have gotten springs from them (including me). My experience with them was great. I got a 4+1 and they added an extra spring in there for me so I have a 5+1. Truck sits a little high in the back but once my beavertail flatbed is hooked to it it is level. The helper spring sits on the bottom and doesn't come into play until you load the truck enough. Ride is great. You tell them what you have and what you want and they know what you need. Package price included everything necessary and they know what you need so there is no+this and + that.
Ford Light Duty Truck Leaf Springs, Leaf Spring Suspension
I think what you think is a helper spring on top is an arrow drawn on that pic to identify a dimension like length or height.

 

Thanks for the info.

the upper helper spring is actually on the truck not a diagram. It sits above the 4/1 springs in a separate holder with stops you can see so the frame has to come down some 3"ish to contact.. so I am guessing it some kind of overload spring.

 

OK, now that you mention it I have seen something like that on later models than mine but I never took a good look at it.