I have a utility trailer made from the front end and box off a mid-late 60's 3/4 or 1 ton pickup chassis. I have a 3 ton trailer axle w brakes on it and now I need new leaf springs. Where would I find such things nowadays? I believe they are 42.5" eye to eye, 1 5/8"wide, using 1/2" bolts.

Tks,

Bob

 

No 1957 and later F100/250 or F350 has a rear spring that is 1 5/8" wide.

2 1/4" wide thru 1972, and on F250 4WD's thru midyear 1977.

Other 1973 and later springs are either 2 1/2" or 3" wide.

The length of 42.5" is way too short.

Some are 24" = eyebolt = 28" / some are 24 = eyebolt = 32"
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1957/64 F100/350, the narrowest front spring is 2"

The shortest are 22" = eyebolt = 22" / 1961/64 F100/250 2WD =

There are three different load rates: 1000 lbs-6 leafs, 1100 lbs-6 leafs, 1200 lbs-7 leafs.
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All Ford leaf springs have an ID number stamped on the main leaf, just adjacent to the eyebolt.

IMO, you should take your old springs to a spring shop and either have them re-arced, or have new springs made.

 

How much weight do you anticipate carrying in your trailer? And how much does the body and frame weigh?

(I agree with Bill, 42.5" is probably too short.)

Also consider how much travel the axel will have. ie, how much space do you plan between the axle and the bump-stop?

 

I'll have to crawl under again looking for a Ford number stamp. The measurements I gave were from a previous measurement I took some time ago. I'll recheck also. Rearcing not an option as the springs are starting to break. When I checked at a trailer spring shop years ago, they wanted the moon and stars for a new set so they just reshuffled what I had.

This is a budget utility trailer but it has big electric brakes and a two plate floor as I sometimes carry rocks and boulders. I often carry my Rokon minibike, gas, camping gear etc. so I'd like springs that would equal the capacity of the axle.

I keep hoping I can find a source where I could get reasonable replacements (w/o relocating brackets) and only pay a couple of hundred bucks.

Bob

 

If you come up with the Ford spring ID number, I can cross it to the actual part number.

Then I can search for the springs to see if any dealer or obsolete parts vendor has any.

I also can tell what the exact application is.

Because so many different springs can be be same length/width, I'd be hesitant to give you part numbers for springs based just on that info.

 

Three tons. What, five hundred pounds for the trailer frame and body? More? If you want a three ton capacity, less body/frame weight then how much axle travel, four inches?

Say three thousand pounds per side. "One thousand pound springs" means they deflect one inch per thousand pounds load. So if your springs are arched so you have a total of six inches arch, and they compress three inches from the load alone, and then you would have three inches dynamic travel.

Done right a three ton trailer may cost you more than you are wanting to spend.

 

Thanks Bill, I'll try to have a look tomorrow.

Bob

 

I crawled under there quickly just now and found no numbers on the bottom of the leaf stack. I can confirm that it is a 8 leaf stack. Are the numbers on the top?

Bob

 

Pulled the stack and hidden on the bottom leaf was " TAAA 5310" along with an indistinct oval (presumably Ford) logo. Hope this helps, I need new springs bad!

Bob

 

TAAA-5310-A .. Front Spring-8 leaf / Obsolete / Fits: 1953/56 F100.

No Ford Dealer or obsolete parts vendor has any.

I looked in Dennis Carpenter's 1948/56 reproduction parts catalog...no dice, but someone prolly reproduces them.

Now that you know what they fit, I suggest you start a thread in the 1948/60 forum and ask if anyone knows.

 

Thanks Bill!

 

Eaton Detroit Spring

These guys can make anything you need. They cater to the hot rod and specialty industry.

Garbz