Help identify rear spring pack
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From: Wagener, SC
Help identify rear spring pack
I found an '84 F150 XLT at the JY that I might be interested in purchasing for parts. Already got the instrument cluster and door switches and some other small parts/pieces, but if I get the whole truck I have some questions...
Here are the rear springs on my XL:
And here are the springs on the (possible) donor truck:
What is the difference and/or application between the two? Which ones should I have under my truck?
Here are the rear springs on my XL:
And here are the springs on the (possible) donor truck:
What is the difference and/or application between the two? Which ones should I have under my truck?
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
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From: Gilbert, PA
The ones in your truck are a heavier springs then the JY truck. BUT the JY truck has those aftermarket clamp on Helpers which are heavier than your stock one.
I personally would rather have the heaver leafs w the lighter helper(your stock set up)
I personally would rather have the heaver leafs w the lighter helper(your stock set up)
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From: Illernois
To me it appears the truck has leaf spring helpers on it with the orginal springs. You can buy the spring helpers at many places.
So unless yours seem very worn id juts keep your orginal on and put in the helpers.
They will allow you too haul more in the back of your truck without it sagging as much. Also it might give it a bit of a lift too.
So unless yours seem very worn id juts keep your orginal on and put in the helpers.
They will allow you too haul more in the back of your truck without it sagging as much. Also it might give it a bit of a lift too.
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From: Wagener, SC
The reason I'm interested in the springs at all is this. You'll notice in the very top photo that the aux spring is VERY close to the (frame stops?) bumpers, and even when unloaded they are slapping the stops and making a hell of a racket. The other side is missing the plastic stop altogether. In the second top photo you can see the bottom leaf is cocked a little to the side, and seems to move just a little bit, depending how I bumped into the driveway.
I was told I could get a steadier ride, and fix the slapping problem by removing those plastic stops and replacing them with bolt in rubber stops (like the axle stops) 2" for the front, and 3" for the rear, providing "positive contact" to the aux spring.
But what I get here is that it might be even better to remove the light aux spring, and replace it with the helpers shown above? If I stay with the stock setup altogether like Diesel_Brad suggests, I'll still have to do something about that slapping issue...
I was told I could get a steadier ride, and fix the slapping problem by removing those plastic stops and replacing them with bolt in rubber stops (like the axle stops) 2" for the front, and 3" for the rear, providing "positive contact" to the aux spring.
But what I get here is that it might be even better to remove the light aux spring, and replace it with the helpers shown above? If I stay with the stock setup altogether like Diesel_Brad suggests, I'll still have to do something about that slapping issue...
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 76
From: Gilbert, PA
The reason I'm interested in the springs at all is this. You'll notice in the very top photo that the aux spring is VERY close to the (frame stops?) bumpers, and even when unloaded they are slapping the stops and making a hell of a racket. The other side is missing the plastic stop altogether. In the second top photo you can see the bottom leaf is cocked a little to the side, and seems to move just a little bit, depending how I bumped into the driveway.
I was told I could get a steadier ride, and fix the slapping problem by removing those plastic stops and replacing them with bolt in rubber stops (like the axle stops) 2" for the front, and 3" for the rear, providing "positive contact" to the aux spring.
But what I get here is that it might be even better to remove the light aux spring, and replace it with the helpers shown above? If I stay with the stock setup altogether like Diesel_Brad suggests, I'll still have to do something about that slapping issue...
I was told I could get a steadier ride, and fix the slapping problem by removing those plastic stops and replacing them with bolt in rubber stops (like the axle stops) 2" for the front, and 3" for the rear, providing "positive contact" to the aux spring.
But what I get here is that it might be even better to remove the light aux spring, and replace it with the helpers shown above? If I stay with the stock setup altogether like Diesel_Brad suggests, I'll still have to do something about that slapping issue...
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From: Wagener, SC
Like I said, look at the top pic, you can see how close the helper spring is to the stop. It's like that on both sides, but just the front of the spring. The second pic shows the rear of the spring, which has MUCH more clearance at the stop.
Oh Man, don't tell me my springs are shot....unless they are, but thats why I'm here, right?
C.R.A.P
Fleet Owner
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From: Gilbert, PA
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From: Wagener, SC
Thanks Brad, I needed that
Ok then...pirating the springs off of the XLT is a no-brainer now?
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From: Wagener, SC
Let me ask this then. If I was in the market for NEW springs, what do I look for? I mean, what are the specs on a 85 F150 XL? I looked around for just a few seconds, and it seems "spring length" is what I need to know. Is that correct?
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From: Illernois
Alls you need to know are the width of your springs.
If your truck is a f-100 or f-150 2wd truck it will have 2 1/2'' springs.
If its a f-100 or f-150 with 4x4 it will have 3'' springs as are all f-250/f-350
If your truck is a f-100 or f-150 2wd truck it will have 2 1/2'' springs.
If its a f-100 or f-150 with 4x4 it will have 3'' springs as are all f-250/f-350
Fleet Owner
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From: Gilbert, PA
you can look here too. Leaf Springs and Air Ride Suspension specialists offering Timbren kits, helper springs, and Air Lift kits.
Dont mine the listing. 80-96 2wd F150 use the same springs
Dont mine the listing. 80-96 2wd F150 use the same springs
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From: Wagener, SC
Is this the spring I would need?
Ford Truck
F150 2WD Rear 1980 1981 43-883 2-1/2 25 32 Ber/RB-159 Ber/RB-160 4/1 1,655
F150 2WD Rear 1986 1996 43-883 2-1/2 25 32 Ber/RB-159 Ber/RB-160 4/1 1,655
JCWhitney also sells the StengelBros springs. They have a 5 springs pack (43-711) that has the same capacity as the above 4 spring pack (43-883). What would be the difference?
Ford Truck
F150 2WD Rear 1980 1981 43-883 2-1/2 25 32 Ber/RB-159 Ber/RB-160 4/1 1,655
F150 2WD Rear 1986 1996 43-883 2-1/2 25 32 Ber/RB-159 Ber/RB-160 4/1 1,655
JCWhitney also sells the StengelBros springs. They have a 5 springs pack (43-711) that has the same capacity as the above 4 spring pack (43-883). What would be the difference?
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 76
From: Gilbert, PA
Is this the spring I would need?
Ford Truck
F150 2WD Rear 1980 1981 43-883 2-1/2 25 32 Ber/RB-159 Ber/RB-160 4/1 1,655
F150 2WD Rear 1986 1996 43-883 2-1/2 25 32 Ber/RB-159 Ber/RB-160 4/1 1,655
JCWhitney also sells the StengelBros springs. They have a 5 springs pack (43-711) that has the same capacity as the above 4 spring pack (43-883). What would be the difference?
Ford Truck
F150 2WD Rear 1980 1981 43-883 2-1/2 25 32 Ber/RB-159 Ber/RB-160 4/1 1,655
F150 2WD Rear 1986 1996 43-883 2-1/2 25 32 Ber/RB-159 Ber/RB-160 4/1 1,655
JCWhitney also sells the StengelBros springs. They have a 5 springs pack (43-711) that has the same capacity as the above 4 spring pack (43-883). What would be the difference?
Not so sure about the JC whittney ones
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Posting Guru
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From: Wagener, SC
OK, I'm ready to order my new spring packs, but I need to know what else I might need to complete the installation correctly.
The springs come with the eye bushings. Do I just then need to order new u-bolts and shackle bushings? What about any kind of needed spacers or other items? I've never installed springs before, so I want everything at hand when I start.
I would also like to use new bolts that go through the bushings all around. Are these just off the shelf hardware, or do they need to be some kind of special bolt.
Here are a couple of pics just in case I've missed something:
The springs come with the eye bushings. Do I just then need to order new u-bolts and shackle bushings? What about any kind of needed spacers or other items? I've never installed springs before, so I want everything at hand when I start.
I would also like to use new bolts that go through the bushings all around. Are these just off the shelf hardware, or do they need to be some kind of special bolt.
Here are a couple of pics just in case I've missed something:
Last edited by Anafiel; Nov 30, 2010 at 05:36 PM. Reason: Started new thread
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