Hi,
I have a 89 F-150 XLT Lariet 2WD and I'm carrying a few tools and things as I work out of town.

Want to have a few things in case of a breakdown.

Rear of truck a little low so wanted to bring it up a few inches!

Looking for reccomendations on a set of air shocks I could put on?

 

Nobody responded yet but the problem with using just air shocks to get the rear end up is that you will be putting more strain on hangars and mounts. You may also have broken springs at the center. I put Gabriel hi jackers on mine but min 25 psi and that was AFTER adding another leaf to bring up to 250 series spring setup. Adding a leaf probably got me 1.5 to 2 inches of lift .... since it was lifted higher ordered shocks for the 250 truck - extended length longer ....

 

Hi,
Thanks!

What leaf, did you use, and where did you get it?

I had a 67 Fairlane 500 when I was a kid.

Put a set of air shocks on just to keep it level.

Never hgad a problem?

This is what I want to do with the truck.

Just carrying tools and a aluminum quick pump floor jack and steel stands.

Just want to keep the rear end level!

 

Actually most folks go to a spring shop, myself went to a pickand pull, got a set of springs off a 250 series truck, disassembled as well as the spring pack on my truck then reassembled.

 

Forgot to mention, once you match up both sets of springs it will be obvious which one is an extra on the 250 truck. If you decide to do this, make sure width of both rear springs sets are the same, some may be 2.5 inch and some may be 3 inch widths. Doing this distributes weight to front and rear shackles rather than just middle mounting points with air shocks .....

 

Hi,
Thanks!

 

Since you have a 2x4 F150 truck, you can't use F250 springs. They're 3" wide where your spring pack is 2.5" wide. I'd bet your 27 year old leaf springs are just shot. My 96' in 04' could have 800 pounds in it and not quite be leveled. By 2014, 600 pounds had the nose in the air. New springs and now 1500lbs just levels it. Same rate but a little more arch, and new. Add a leaf is a simple product that might work for you. How are your spring hangers? They rot out and snap off, putting the leafs through your box floor.

 

Hi,
Wow! Admittedly, I never thought about the springs just being wore out!

I will look into that as I plan on keeping this truck, for awhile!

Where would be the best place to get new springs???

I guess with new springs and the air shocks I can get what I want, and know the springs are doing their job?

 

ATS-Junior on here is a spring vendor that sponsors the forum, so he gets my first recommendation. He's been helpful anytime someone has questions on springs. I got mine through Jeff's Bronco Graveyard, no problems through them. I use Bilstein shocks, and likely won't ever go differently in the future as I like these so much more than the OEM & Monroe shocks I've used before. Springs hold the load, shocks dampen the movement.

 

Hi,
Thanks, looks like springs are about $200 a set and I saw these shocks.

I guess I could replace springs first and see how that looks then see if I still need the air shock?

My shocks are probably due also!

Thank you very much for the info!!!!

Shock Absorbers - 4 Wheel Parts

 

This would be a bit of work but another option getting a set of 250 springs and shackles the whole assembly - basically grind the rivets holding those mounts to the frame then transplant the whole assembly - springs and mounts onto your truck frame ..... sure it'll be some work, but if you plan on hauling much stuff, it may be worth the effort .....

 

forgot to mention, then you'll have the heavier 3 inch spring setups ....