It appears that the rear leaf springs on my 52 are sagging. Adding a 2" lift kit may help to straighten the rear of the Panel truck from sagging, but I don't like that solution much.

New (regular) leaf springs are expensive. I'd like to find a good used set of rear springs with the "helper" springs as pictured below. The correct U-bolts are a plus.

Would like to a find a set closer to California to avoid high shipping charges, but will consider from any where in the nation.

Thanks.

 

Have you priced re-arching your leafs?

 

One or all of these sources may have the springs or can recommend a shop to have them re-arched. Usually when spring shops do this, they replace the bushings.

The only spring shop I know of here in LA LA Land is Hollywood Spring & Axle.

NorCal: Sacramento Vintage Ford (vintageford.com).

SoCal: Early Ford Store (earlyfordstore.com) in San Dimas or C&G Ford Parts (c&gfordparts.com) in Escondido.

21C5560B .. 10 Leaf Rear Spring / Fits: 1942/47 Commercials (what Ford once refered to 1/2 tons as) & 1948/52 F1.

21C5560C .. 11 Leaf Rear Spring-Heavy Duty / Fits: 1942/47 Commercial & 1948/52 F1.

The problem with buying used springs is...they may not be any better than what you have now, they may be worse.

And...you won't find this out...till you install them.

A heavier duty shock, or coil overs may be the way to go.

 

I'm trying to find a shop around here that will re-arch. No luck so far.

 

Wow, it's hard to believe there's no one who does that in San Jose!

If you run into trouble let me know and I'll talk to Tony up at "North County Spring" in Escondido, and see what he can do.

If you want to call him his # is: (760) 738-7020

He can make you what ever you want, or possibly suggest something better no one else had thought of. In my and many other peoples opinions, he's the best in Socal!

I can coordinate/pick-up/ship for you if need be!

 

Hello, Once I am able to drive my truck again, I am going to take it to Sacramento Spring (Home) and they are going to replace my broken leaves, rearch them so they match and reinstall. I visited the shop once and spoke to the owner. Really helpful. Sac is closer than SoCal. I hope that this helps. Steve

 

Julie and Steve, thanks for the referrals and willingness to help (Julie).

I've been calling around all morning long. There was a place here in San Jose that did re-arching, but they're out of business. Found two places in the East Bay (San Leandro and Oakland). San Leandro place sends them out to Fresno and turn around time is a few weeks. Total cost for a pair is about $380. The place in Oakland is $65 per each assembly and turn around time is about 2-3 days. The place in Oakland is a lot closer than Sac, but I'd drive to Sac if need be.

For future reference, info for the Oakland shop:

A 1 Spring Service Co
9722 MacArthur Boulevard
Oakland, CA 94605-4747
(510) 569-6611

I talked to the owner and he seemed knowledgeable. He says that they re-arch springs every day. He also makes custom u-bolts, if needed.

I'd still like to find a set of used springs, or at least the load helpers, but in the mean time, I'll be taking my rear springs to him to re-arch.

 

If you're willing to make the drive, you can try Valley Spring Works in Dixon. I've used them for powedercoating, but not for any spring related work. They can re-arch or build new springs for your truck.

340 Industrial Way, Dixon, CA‎ - (707) 678-3944‎

 

Well for what it's worth, there used to be (back in the late 80s) a place for springs back in that industrial park off Barryessa (sp) just west of the SJ Swap meet - same Industrial park Preston (F-100s) used to have his shop.

There was also one over in Femont. But like I said, that was 20 years ago.

 

I think that was the same one that went out of business recently. Nothing in Fremont anymore either.

 

Check the Big Truck repair shops also

 

Hi Julie,
I'm in Encinitas and have a '51 and need to redo the rear suspension. The ride is terrible. I've been talking with Tony @ Escondido spring. Any chance I could hit you up for a ride in yours to see how it rides? I've been considering a 4-link and would do all the fabrication myself.

My build thread is here:

late model electronically controlled drivetrain install - Page 7 - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

I didn't really finish off the thread, got too busy with getting my truck back on the road. But it is really great. I'm very happy with it, short of the ride in the rear.

Thank you,

Doug

 

Doug, you're not lokely to get a response from "Julie" anytime soon. It turns out she was a he and was removed from the forum for being argumentative, disruptive, and disrespectful to forum members and administrators. It's a long and sordid story that you really don't want to know. So this is just a heads up.

 

Wayne,
Thank you!
Is Julie's advice sound, despite being argumentative? I've heard a lot about North County Spring and in talking to Tony, I trust him. Still, I'd love to find a customer nearby that I can use as a reference. I'd rather do this once

Tony said he's going to think about a customer who might be nearby to me. A close friend of his, who set his up similar to mine, sold the truck.

Doug

 

I'd swear "Julie" had a leaf spring rear end, is that what you're after?