As requested, I'm making THE build thread for installing stock and/or lift Super Duty springs on F250/F350 dent sides. This will be the how-to guide for this swap. I know many of us will greatly appreciate a comprehensive response! If you have done this swap please post all pertinent information on the build you can.
1) Truck information
2) Previous setup (stock, lifted, other info)
3) Parts bought
4) Steps in installation and fabrication process (measurements and what not)
5) Any issues you ran into prior to and after installation.
6) Pictures of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
I have 8 inch lift springs for a Super Duty that I'm putting on my '79 F250. But if you're asking how much lift you get by swapping stock SD springs...
Quote:
Originally Posted by 75F350
Since we have been discussing this topic, the idea or concept of using stock SD springs has become a bit of a mystery. I believe that I recall someone aslking about the use of them and the reaponse was that the stock SD spring has little to no arch to it and will not provide much lift over stock 79 Front springs.
SOme of the advantages of the SD spring is a longer length and this improves the shackle angle, thus creating a better ride and adding some articulation.
IN order to answer this question, one has to know which SD front spring to use. There were several stock aprings available and all of them would offer a different ride heigth.
Personally I would not be quick to jump into a set of stock springs to swap but cant really answer how much a set of leveling kit replacement leafs would lift a stock 78/9 truck. I have a gut feeling that a 3" leveling kit that used replacement front springs would be ideal for this application, but have not found anyone that is willing to spend the money to try it. I mean these are cheap enough and they would be worth a shot. I would not be afraid of doing this, but I probably would not be quick to use a stock V code or better stock spring.
Now, about a year ago, I did suggest that a stock V code or better spring be used in conjunction with the then Donahoe racings mini spring pack. I do believe that this would be a pretty ideal situation, and would offer the desired ride heigth.
Part of the reason why this is such a mystery is because the SD front spring install is a lift alternative for trucks greater than 6 inches. See the aftermarket does not support this much lift and we have had to find alternatives to custom lifts, and the SD front leaf springs in the 6, 8 and 10 inch veriety works well.
There are several kits out there that make a 4" front spring that works fiarly well, and most guys looking to lift their vehicles this much simply buy an off the shelf lift kit.
Stock Highboy leafs are interchangable, and will provide this amount lift.
We did install some 4 inchers (SD aftermarket leafs) under a 79 truck a while back but it netted over 4 inches of lift.
You will have to measure the springs while they are on the ground. Measure across the sprng eyes to achieve a straight line, then create a straight line at the bottom, and measure the distance between the lines. Compare the two and calculate the difference. this difference will be the amount of lift you will achieve.
The advantages are stated in the quote I posted from 75F350. By swapping to SD springs you will gain superior ride and articulation because the SD springs are longer in length therefore improving the shackle angle. More importantly, no one makes an aftermarket lift kit larger than 4" for dent sides but they do make 6, 8 and 10 inch lifts for SD's that work quite well with minimal modification/fabrication.
The advantages are stated in the quote I posted from 75F350. By swapping to SD springs you will gain superior ride and articulation because the SD springs are longer in length therefore improving the shackle angle. More importantly, no one makes an aftermarket lift kit larger than 4" for dent sides but they do make 6, 8 and 10 inch lifts for SD's that work quite well with minimal modification/fabrication.
Thanks, thats very interesting. I had a 1977.5 F-250 but sold it. I am actually thinking of getting an old 1975 F-250 that I sold to my uncle back so I will have to keep this in mind.
Did you edit that quote in there after I posted or did I actually miss all that? I don't remember seeing it first time around.
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1977 Ford F-150 4X4 460 4-speed (dark jade metallic) Produced June 22, 1977
1966 Ford Fairlane 289 2 door hard top (black)
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THE SuperDuty Spring Install Thread
