Leaf spring suggestions?
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Laramie, WY
Leaf spring suggestions?
Well with the new Moog 844 springs going in the front to replace a broken stock coil I'm pretty sure the pickup is going to be raked backwards now. The rear leaf spring packs both have a broken spring so I'm pretty sure they're sagging.
Any suggestions on leafs for the rear? I don't plan on ever going over a 33" tire so I don't want a 4" or higher lift in the rear. Stock F150 springs or any other suggestions? What about where to look for springs? I've heard of 250 springs minus the block, is that a decent idea?
Any suggestions on leafs for the rear? I don't plan on ever going over a 33" tire so I don't want a 4" or higher lift in the rear. Stock F150 springs or any other suggestions? What about where to look for springs? I've heard of 250 springs minus the block, is that a decent idea?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Imperial, MO
If you have a local spring company, you might try getting a quote from them. I had St. Louis Spring Co. put together a pair of rear leaf packs for my F150 to the specs I chose, and I couldn't be happier with them. If I remember correctly, it cost about $300 for the pair with one extra leaf, one extra helper leaf, and one inch higher arch than stock. They came with new bushings in the eyelets and new U-bolts, too. It was a night and day difference over the old spring packs, and I didn't have any broken leafs in my old packs.
LEAF SPRING SUSPENSION
LEAF SPRING SUSPENSION
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2009
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From: Tobyhanma, PA
Well if you didn't lift the front I wouldn't lift the rear. Id go stock springs and later if heights an issue a small block. I think a 32-33 will prolly just about fit and clear on a fresh stock height rear. Its the front that runs into clearance issues.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
These trucks normally sit 2-3" higher in the back so I even if you just replaced the old leafs with stock replacements I bet it would still be higher in the back or maybe level at worst. From there an extra leaf would certainly bring it up another inch or two if you felt it necessary.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Des Moines, Iowa
These trucks normally sit 2-3" higher in the back so I even if you just replaced the old leafs with stock replacements I bet it would still be higher in the back or maybe level at worst. From there an extra leaf would certainly bring it up another inch or two if you felt it necessary.
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From: Laramie, WY
I suppose I'll go with some stock height leafs then. Any suggestions on where to find some? There are no local suspension shops here so I'll have to be ordering them.
I have no problem with it sitting level so long as it doesn't sag too bad with a load of wooden pallets. Add-a-leaf or overload spring? As I understand, the extra leaf would just raise it a bit meaning when it sagged it would become level, where as overload doesn't have an effect until it's loaded and then it keeps the springs from sagging too far?
Am I thinking straight here? If I do an overload spring wouldn't it still sag a few inches before stopping it?
I have no problem with it sitting level so long as it doesn't sag too bad with a load of wooden pallets. Add-a-leaf or overload spring? As I understand, the extra leaf would just raise it a bit meaning when it sagged it would become level, where as overload doesn't have an effect until it's loaded and then it keeps the springs from sagging too far?
Am I thinking straight here? If I do an overload spring wouldn't it still sag a few inches before stopping it?
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Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Laramie, WY
Well I figure I'll show you guys what the current leafs look like. Glad I don't have to rely on this for transportation. Other that the leafs themselves, is there anything else I'll need with a new set? See anything else that needs fixin'?
Last edited by GBuckert; Apr 17, 2011 at 02:41 PM. Reason: Forgot the images :O
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Portage Twp, PA
Holy busted leaf, Batman!
I did the Spicer F-250/350 coil spring swap in front and 2800# F-250 rear springs in my '89 half-ton about three years ago, and it sits dead level. I DID leave the blocks out in the rear.
I'd say you'll want to check the condition of your hangers and shackles when you swap those rear springs. I'm not sure how much salt they use in Wyoming, but here in PA, I've seen a bunch of rear springs sitting on the bottom of the bed because of a rusted shackle!
Good luck...
Pat
I did the Spicer F-250/350 coil spring swap in front and 2800# F-250 rear springs in my '89 half-ton about three years ago, and it sits dead level. I DID leave the blocks out in the rear.
I'd say you'll want to check the condition of your hangers and shackles when you swap those rear springs. I'm not sure how much salt they use in Wyoming, but here in PA, I've seen a bunch of rear springs sitting on the bottom of the bed because of a rusted shackle!
Good luck...
Pat
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From: vernon hills IL
if you plan on using the truck as such i would recomend what pats pos said. i have reached 4 inch f250 springs in mine and love it! i tow , load the heck out of never been an issue i dont use any blocks either. obvouisly you wouldnt be going 4 inch rearch though,,,,
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From: Laramie, WY
No salt here! Thankfully the only rust I've seen is the surface rust. Everything seems pretty solid just like the body.
I think I'll look into the 250 spring route so I can leave the blocks out. I'll look into the junkyard, but out here people can be pretty hard on their pickups.
I think I'll look into the 250 spring route so I can leave the blocks out. I'll look into the junkyard, but out here people can be pretty hard on their pickups.
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