I have a 1986 F250 HD. The truck has plowed snow its whole life. The front leaf springs had an add-a-leaf on them to help with the plow, but after the past 22 years, the front suspension was tired. I found a set of used springs in great shpae off a truck that never carried a plow. i put new bushings in the springs and put on a new set of add-a-leafs. now the front end sits taller (as expected) but it sits a bit too tall. when looking at the front of the truck, the two front tires sit in a "V" formation relative to each other, and this is obvoiusly causing un-even tire wear.

Can this be adjusted? Do I need a drop bracket at the center of the axle? if so, where would i get one? the add a leafs claim to add an inch to the overall height of the front end. other than the add-a-leafs, the suspension is stock.

This axle was used through 1997, so i'm sure a bunch of folks here have had the same issue. Please help!!!

And no, and dana 60 swap is not an option for me right now........

 

take the add-a-leafs out.

the camber is adjustable. but only about 2 degrees either way. with new adjusters, and thats depending on where its setting now.

 

removing the add-a-leafs and having an alignment done would undoubtedly cure the problem as that would return the suspension to it's stock setup. but the point of the add-a-leafs is to help with the weight of the plow. without the add-a-leafs, the front springs would have a negative arch on them after a season or 2 of plowing.

i think some drop pivot brackets for the center of the axle would be my answer, but where can i get these brackets?

 

If you've only lifted it an inch, drop brackets aren't going to help, because they will drop the arms a minimum of 4". You'd end up with the opposite problem you have now.

A good 4x4 shop will sell camber bushings that will fix the problem, but then you have another problem - with no plow and a level front end, it's going to sag with a plow on it.

The only thing you can really do is take the add-a-leafs off and put airbags on the front. That way it will be correct with and without the plow.

 

is it possible to buy the drop pivot brackets and modify them to allow only a 1-2" drop? i'm sure it's not recommended by the manufacturer, but are there any physical characteristics that would not allow this? i've never messed with IFS before...

 

I think the best thing to do is to crawl under the truck and see for yourself why you won't be able to drop the arms an inch.

It still wouldn't solve your other problems.

 

u leave the plow on full time?
is the truck driven more with, or without the plow?

if it were me, id set it up right, WITHOUT the plow. and just deal with it the, limited time the plow is on/used.