I think the entire topic has gone from bad to worse. The immediate suggestion was that this is not such a reasonable choice.
Keep in mind the configuration of this front suspension. Assuming that this owner will be doing this anywhere close to correct, the front swing shackle will have to be converted to a rear swing design. Regardless of whether this truck will see the street or not, one has to assume that the vehicle will still have to have some sort of functional suspnsion and a front swing shackle not only makes for a terrible ride, and poor off road performance, but is a complete waste of time for any vehicle and its intended use.
It works fine for a neg arch spring and a TTB design, but is worthless in any other application.
Now, after the shackle reversal option is taken care of, the truck will not require much lift at all to clear 40 inch tires.
This is a minimal amount of lift and stock positive arch springs will just about do it.
The suggestion of Stock Super Duty springs is a great idea, and is a very common upgrade.
Trying to get creative deserves some credit, but one has to wonder why this is not a common practice. It is not a very reasonable solution, especially when stock SD springs can be found all over the place, and often for free.
If the OP has all of these parts, and is concerned about cash flow (many of us are) then sell off some of the parts and use that dough to buy something that will at least function correctly.
Otherwise the entire project will juet be a wreck. DOnt want that.
The suggestion of Stock Super Duty springs is a great idea, and is a very common upgrade.
Trying to get creative deserves some credit, but one has to wonder why this is not a common practice. It is not a very reasonable solution, especially when stock SD springs can be found all over the place, and often for free.
I've seem some chatter about using F450 2wd springs... not sure of details but they have some good arch to them.
I've seem some chatter about using F450 2wd springs... not sure of details but they have some good arch to them.
I dont see why these would not work. Although these are typically diesel springs, and I feel that the deflection rate might be a bit on the heavy side, creating a rough ride, I dont think these are a bad option, and again, easy to find.
The thing I have to question is the op said that he owns a junkyard, but doesn't want to spend the money on springs. The sd springs are on any sd that comes into the yard, so why not use them? This thread is going down hill fast with the stubborness of the op!
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Karl
I'm the Voice of Reason
FTE - Where signatures get edited with no explination why.
But what if his yard has no super dooties? The pull-a-part I was in yesterday hadn't a single sd so no springs for me I don't even think it had a single solid axle ford 4x4 in it.
But on a funnier note I swear there were twice as many dead chebbies in that yard than there were fords. not kidding either.
The pick & pull by me had 3 99-02 F250/f350 4x4's this weekend! I guess more people drive and wreck big trucks up by me. I'll go back to what was said earlier, if you have all those choice extra parts, then sell a few and you'll have the money for the springs.
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Karl
I'm the Voice of Reason
FTE - Where signatures get edited with no explination why.
im going to need all these parts for spares. if i sell them when i need them i wont have them. and the money i get from them will be in the springs and then ill have to go buy those parts all over again but i wont be able to because i wont have any money.
How about any old late 70's F-150s? Pull the leafs out and swap over to a coild sprung D60 setup. I did one on my buddy's 79 bronco with good results, for fairly cheap. Plus the coil setups are usually plentiful and will give you better flex and ride than a leaf spring setup will. Here's a pic of a mid 80's D-60 converted to coils:
The biggest expense was the steering and track bar setup which I used 1" chromoly tube and 3/4" kevlar rod ends.
__________________
Karl
I'm the Voice of Reason
FTE - Where signatures get edited with no explination why.
Rears up front is doable, spring rate is fairly soft, and it will push the axle ahead a good couple inches.
Old body F450/F-Superduty 10 lug 2wd front springs are a bolt in 6" lift over a stock D60 F350 spring, due to the F450's using a drop beam axle. Spring rate is about the same as stock, so ride quality will be too.
As for stock 99+ SD springs, I got my set for free, they'd been kicking around in a garage for about 5 years, replaced with lift springs at 5000 miles...
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92 W250 LE, 4x4/CTD/G360/D60/D70U
89 W250, 4x4/CTD/G360/D60/D70U
86 F250 HD 4x4, 6.9/T19/broken D44 TTB junk/10.25. Turbo no more... Poor thing
86 F350 4x4 Mild 460/T19 D60/welded 10.25/38.5x11 Boggers, Warn 8200 up front, M12000 out back... It's not what you BUY, It's what you BUILD
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I don't even think it had a single solid axle ford 4x4 in it. 
not kidding either.
