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coils vs leafs

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Old Dec 24, 2010 | 11:38 AM
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From: townsend DE
coils vs leafs

i searched but couldnt find very much.

im thinking about switching my cummins hiboy to a coil set up in the front instead of the leafs. the only reason im looking to do this is for ride quality. the truck does not go off road (any more) and will not be towing anything of serious weight. its basically going to be a pavement pounder.

before i took it off the road for its resto mod, it had the factory leaf springs on all 4 corners. it rode like a brick BUT i dont know if thats because

a. the leafs were only about 3 inches from the bump stops, worn out leafs maybe?
b. it has lift blocks on all 4 corners
c. the body mounts on the front are completely rotted out
d. the seat is basically a trampoline

i have a feeling its all 4 of these that were working against me but then i have no other hiboys to compare it to as far as ride quality. i have a coil sprung front end that i could use but didnt know if it would be worth all the work to swap it in. in other words would swapping to coils make that much of an improvement or would i be wasting my time.

thanks
 
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Old Dec 24, 2010 | 11:49 AM
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akforceten
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From: central oregon
all highboys are bricks!!! mine rides pretty good for a 38 year old truck with leafs on all four corners
 
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Old Dec 24, 2010 | 11:51 AM
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Ive been researching this since i got my highboy, and from what ive found from guys like Chasetruck and 79F350 is that it is basically the 1970s technology. So the way to fix it with the least amount of work is to call up Deaver and get some new leaf packs, or do the SD spring swap.

What I've sold myself on though is the deaver springs on all 4 corners. The backs will get rid of the block but keep factory height. The front I am going to build (actually my brother, cause he is a mad fabricator) a new shackle to address the problems with that...probably making it longer( i also want to level the truck out) and try and change the angle some. Im going to call the guys at Deaver when I get closer to doing it to see if making the spring any longer after the axle with the hopes of helping that shackle as much as possible. If these trucks came with a better riding suspension,OD transmissions, and EFI...they would be perfect!

Dont know if that helps ya any cause its just my plan, but good luck with whatever ya decide!
 
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Old Dec 24, 2010 | 11:51 AM
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impalaslayer
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From: townsend DE
Originally Posted by akforceten
all highboys are bricks!!! mine rides pretty good for a 38 year old truck with leafs on all four corners
kinda what i figured but i figure if im doing a frame off id like to improve it the best i can.
 
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Old Dec 24, 2010 | 11:53 AM
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From: townsend DE
Originally Posted by LongTravelHighboy
Ive been researching this since i got my highboy, and from what ive found from guys like Chasetruck and 79F350 is that it is basically the 1970s technology. So the way to fix it with the least amount of work is to call up Deaver and get some new leaf packs, or do the SD spring swap.

What I've sold myself on though is the deaver springs on all 4 corners. The backs will get rid of the block but keep factory height. The front I am going to build (actually my brother, cause he is a mad fabricator) a new shackle to address the problems with that...probably making it longer( i also want to level the truck out) and try and change the angle some. Im going to call the guys at Deaver when I get closer to doing it to see if making the spring any longer after the axle with the hopes of helping that shackle as much as possible. If these trucks came with a better riding suspension,OD transmissions, and EFI...they would be perfect!

Dont know if that helps ya any cause its just my plan, but good luck with whatever ya decide!
thanks for the info. will they make what ever you need or to they (deaver) have this sort of stuff in stock. im a total noob to truck suspension.
 
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Old Dec 24, 2010 | 12:03 PM
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Not sure, I emailed them just asking general info - like a "is this possible, what measurements do you need?" kinda thing and they replied with basically a 'yes we can.' so im not sure what route they are going to take, just that they can provide a product for me. I dont know more than that because it will be spring-time that I call and order these things.

dont take my word as gospel, search around or hopefully the more experienced guys will jump in here. Ill put up some of the stuff I was reading last night.
 
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Old Dec 24, 2010 | 12:12 PM
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From: townsend DE
gotcha, i was just curios how they did it, sounds like ill atleast be calling them for a set of rear springs.
 
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Old Dec 24, 2010 | 12:39 PM
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LongTravelHighboy
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Heres one of the better explanations/ discussions.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...-highboys.html
 
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