I've got a 00 F250 with XA springs in the front and a AAL in the rear. Currently the rear sits about 2'' higher in the rear than the front. However, my front springs are wore out and I have broken leaf in the back. I run a 8.5'' Hiniker V-plow in the front.

I've been running 255/85/16 tires, and when I've been plowing I haven't had any rubbing issues until the last week or two, now my springs have sagged enough and I'm rubbing all the time now. Then today I found the broken rear leaf so it needs to be fixed too.

I'd like to raise the front another 1.5-2'' to get the truck somewhat level. Also, I'm looking to get the heaviest springs possible front and rear because the truck is used as a farm truck so it plows snow and pulls a heavy trailer all the time. I don't care too much how rough it rides, but it has to be reasonable.

So which way should I go, just get replacement Ford springs front and rear, or should I go with an aftermarket pack to get the lift I want? Overall I want to sit a little higher than a stock snow plow prep package so I can fit the bigger tires with the plow on. I like how my rear end sits now with the AAL, I just want the front to match.

 

I'd go to a spring shop and have them replace/beef up the spring stacks all the way around.

You could also consider airbags to carry the weight of the plow/ballast.

 

All my superdutys I have put leveling kits on. The diesels need 2" front kit and the gasser needed a 1" kit. I have plowed for almost 20 years with all sorts of different plows and never needed a spring heavier than 6000lb. The leveling kit does stiffen the front a little. As for the rear you need to fix the broken spring then you could add-a-leaf. Or get timbrens that helps stabilize the rear. I have 6000lb springs w/ 1" leveling kit and timbrens in the rear. I use a Boss 9'2" vee & Downeaster sander. No sagging issues at all.

 

Is your leveling kit in the front of that gasser an AAL, or one of those mini-packs?

Do you also think that 6000lb fronts and a replacement leaf pack in the rear, and have an AAL all the way around would ride too damn rough or would that be the hot ticket? Timbrens in the rear would be a consideration for me, as I pull a bumper pull trailer and it brings the rear end down pretty good at times.

I've thought about it, but the springs are shot and axle wrap is starting to get worse, so they need replaced anyways.

If I were to build my truck over again I would have done airbags all the way around and run air lockers.

 

No idea what aal is....however the front is a 1" spacer block that goes under the spring. Install time for both is 1 - 2 hours. The timbrens in the rear are supper - sometimes I carry 1 ton of salt without even knowing it was in there. To me airbags could be a pain having to adjust them, inspect them. I go with leveling front, timbrens rear and never even think about it again. JMO.

 

AAL=add a leaf, sorry.

Thanks for the help, going to call Ford today and see what some springs are going to cost.

 

Go to a spring shop that specializes in trucks and they will do whatever it takes either selling you the parts , or doing the entire job. There is 2 around Chicago I can highly recommend, but I assume you are too far away?.

 

I went to Lou's Spring in Peru and ordered a set of brand new leafs all the way around. He had a set of 7000# fronts and 8800# rears. Basically $1000 out the door with u-bolts and hardware included. That should get the job done.

 

level kits dont add payload to your front, they only lift it. as for the rears go online and look at local junk yards and you pull its for rear springs from a newer 03 or 04 superduty. i think after 01 or 02 ford started using galvanized spacers between each leaf to stop cracks. my buddies 01 dually cracked and i was gonna take the good ones and add them to my 04 but after dismanteling them i found out that the early trucks didint have the spacer and his were pitted too bad so i had a spring shop make me a long add a leaf with longer u bolts for 120 bucks. if i find the address for the internet siter ill post it later

 

Daystar is the brand of leveling kits i have used on my last 2 trucks and they claim it will make the front end ride stiffer. Granted that does not mean it adds payload. I nearly claimed 6000lb springs and a leveling kit was more than enough to carry a 9' plow.

 

Got my new springs in, no pics yet, hopefully tomorrow. Went with 7000# fronts and 8800# rears from Lou Spring Shop in Lasalle/Peru. I think they where Eagle brand springs. Truck sits almost perfectly level, and raised the front up about 2'' from where it was at with the 5200# fronts. The rear sits 0.5'' higher than it did with worn out springs and a AAL. Both springs should settle a little after I weight them down and plow a little. My plow only made it sag an inch in the front. Rides similar if not a little better than it did before. I definitely could fit 35's now.

Pics to come tomorrow.

 

Try finding some DRW rear springs to swap in..

 

Should have everything you need here: Leaf Springs and Air Ride Suspension specialists offering Timbren kits, helper springs, and Air Lift kits.

 

I put timbrens on front and back, can i still add leveling kit in the front. are the front timbrens going to be a problem?