Leaf spring question's
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Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 475
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From: MI
Anybody know exactly which 6 leaf pack i need to get? Dos the engine matter? I am pretty sure i need to get the 6 leaf pack from 92-96 f250s but Oreillys asks for the engine size. Is there a diffrence between the leaf springs on a f250 with the diesel sense the engine is alot heavier even though it is the rear vs a f250 with the 5.8? Everything should be done sometime during this upcoming week just gotta make sure i get the right part.
The village idiot.
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,126
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From: Southern WV
Any of them will fit. The more leafs, the more load rating obviously, and stiffer ride. Auto parts stores ask you what engine you have no matter what your buying. Originally, that was so the salesperson could try to sell you extra things you don't need, but these days, most are too lazy to even do that.
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
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From: Gilbert, PA
FYI F150 came with 4 or 5 leaf rear springs
F250 and F350 ONLY came with 5 leaf rear springs. ANYTHING ELSE WAS ADDED after it left the factory.
And yes, the F250 and F350 use the EXACT SAME REAR SPRINGS
F250 and F350 ONLY came with 5 leaf rear springs. ANYTHING ELSE WAS ADDED after it left the factory.
And yes, the F250 and F350 use the EXACT SAME REAR SPRINGS
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
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From: Gilbert, PA
I have owned over 20 in the past 15 years. F250s and F350s use the SAME 5 leaf rear spring. And I have worked on HUNDREDS
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2011
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Well I guess you know better than I. But 5 leaves seems weak to me. Most of the 1 ton trucks i've seen from this era usually have 6 or 7 and the really heavy duty trucks with flat hay beds have way more.
The village idiot.
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,126
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From: Southern WV
Depends on how thick each individual spring is. And, if you count the overload spring. You CAN order 4,5, or 6+1 leaf springs from general spring. What came from the factory is a different story and diesel brad knows his stuff.
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
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From: Gilbert, PA
the number of leaves does not mean anything. It is the rating of each leaf.
cab-n-chassis trucks are a totally different animal. They are only a 2.5" wide springs and the number of leaves depends on how the truck was spec out, almost like a 18 wheeler
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From: Gray, TN
The front of the 88 F250 in my signature had sagging leaves giving it too much negative camber (typical on these old fords.) I took it to a local spring shop with a very good reputation and they added one leaf to each corner of the truck for $100 each parts and labor. I work on vehicles for a living, but changing out leaf springs sucks and its just not worth doing it yourself if someone else will do it cheap and right. I then installed moog caster camber bushings to get the alignment back where it should be (had 2 degrees positive camber after the new springs) It sits up higher and looks great now, but the ride is pretty punishing. Large bumps on the highway at 70mph makes it feel like its going to bounce off the road. I don't mind since it looks good and will have nice even tire wear, but my wife is not a big fan. But anyway, you will have to install (if not equipped) adjustable camber/caster bushings and do an alignment after raising the front, and you may have a pretty stiff bouncy ride after adding the leaves to the back. BTW, mine now has 3 leaves in front and 6 in the back. Good luck!
So is the spring rating just based on the thickness of the leaf? Or are some made stiffer?
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
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From: Gilbert, PA
The thickness doent even make one rating higher than the other, it is all in the manufacturing process
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Senior User
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From: MI
I am extremely grateful for everyone explaining everything so i know what exactly i need to ask for... I was looking in my LMC truck magazine and only saw there was a 5 leaf pack for the f250s so i am guessing just the 5 leaf pack from a 92-96 f250 4x4 will be perfect for what i need? which is the extra "stiffness" and prevent sag when i have a load in the bed and also lifting the rear up a bit? From what i have noticed driving with the worn out suspension especially going over bumps at 55 mph is it gives you that "floating" feel and bounces around so you have to make sure your paying attention when you go over the bumps. The reason i like the stiffer suspension vs a softer is even though the ride quality may be worse is i do not like the "bouncing" of the truck i guess i may be weird but i guess its from having 2 Camaros with the stiffer racing suspension i just like the way the stiffer "planted" feeling is 
I almost forgot to mention but here in the LMC magazine it shows the f250 leaf springs being a actual 5 leaf pack with the option of purchasing a overload spring or they call it a "Auxiliary leaf spring" and components.
I almost forgot to mention but here in the LMC magazine it shows the f250 leaf springs being a actual 5 leaf pack with the option of purchasing a overload spring or they call it a "Auxiliary leaf spring" and components.
The village idiot.
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 1
From: Southern WV
I've ordered from here before and the prices are excellent and you can choose which springs you want by the given load ranges which are listed as well.
1980 - 1997 Ford F250 Leaf springs - front and rear
1980 - 1997 Ford F250 Leaf springs - front and rear
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