quick frame question
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 10
From: oklahoma
quick frame question
going to look at a 85 4x4 f250 and he said its got leaf springs on the front. my ? is can i swap this leaf setup to my coil 2x4 frame or do i need to swap cabs over to that frame
thaks john
thaks john
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,320
Likes: 1
From: CT
The 4 wheel drives use leaf spring twin traction beam. The two wheel drives use coil spring, twin i beam. Are you asking if you can run coil with twin traction beam? Or, do you want to know if you can swap the 4 wheel drive in? That can be done all the mount holes are present on the 2wd and 4x4 f250's.
The f150 uses that system, but not the f250, or the rare non solid axle f350s.
The f150 uses that system, but not the f250, or the rare non solid axle f350s.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,965
Likes: 2,725
From: Virginia
I have never done it, but they say you can swap the 4x4 leaf spring setup onto your 2wd coil spring frame, but it requires some modification in the front shackle area, and there are some holes already present on the frame for the rear leaf spring hanger, but I still hear about some grinding and drilling there also.
Before you go look at it, stare at or take pictures of your front frame area, and then take some of the 4x4 front frame area where the shackle goes up inside. You can then contemplate your next move.
Also there are some guys that like a "shackle reversal" kit. This puts the shackles in the rear, and they say if you do this, it requires some modifications anyway and it can work on your swap. They justify this swap because of the "better design" but I think most do the reversal because it gives you some lift over stock.
Before you go look at it, stare at or take pictures of your front frame area, and then take some of the 4x4 front frame area where the shackle goes up inside. You can then contemplate your next move.
Also there are some guys that like a "shackle reversal" kit. This puts the shackles in the rear, and they say if you do this, it requires some modifications anyway and it can work on your swap. They justify this swap because of the "better design" but I think most do the reversal because it gives you some lift over stock.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,006
Likes: 2
From: CASA GRANDE AZ
the frame horns are different on a 2x4 and the 4x4 , if you have never converted a 2x4 to a 4x4 or your fabrication skills aren't that good then you will be opening up a can of worms !
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Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 10
From: oklahoma
fabrication skills are pretty good i think.but i'll just be swaping cabs over.yep its got twin beams with leaf springs it will do for what i'm needing it for.
thanks guys for the quik response
thanks guys for the quik response
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