Leaf Spring question...
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,804
Likes: 5
From: Southern California
Leaf Spring question...
I have a 74 F250 4X4... You know the spot in front where the leaf springs bolt on? I need to get some kind of a drop kit so i can lift my truck 2-2.5 inches so i can drop the steering gear box back down to the original position...
I have a 78 front end on it and the leaf springs were in the way of the arm that comes out of the steering gear box so the gear box was bolted on higher and now my steering isnt very smooth and has screwed up a couple other things....
So i need to lift the truck using what i think is called the front shackle??? Is this right? If someone had a pic it would help
Where do i get these parts?
I have a 78 front end on it and the leaf springs were in the way of the arm that comes out of the steering gear box so the gear box was bolted on higher and now my steering isnt very smooth and has screwed up a couple other things....
So i need to lift the truck using what i think is called the front shackle??? Is this right? If someone had a pic it would help
Where do i get these parts?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,804
Likes: 5
From: Southern California
I need to drop the leaf springs from the part where the springs are bolted on in the driver front of this pic!
1974 f250 lift image by TheMadScientist_1 on Photobucket
1974 f250 lift image by TheMadScientist_1 on Photobucket
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: Graham, Wa.
I have a 74 F250 4X4... You know the spot in front where the leaf springs bolt on? I need to get some kind of a drop kit so i can lift my truck 2-2.5 inches so i can drop the steering gear box back down to the original position...
I have a 78 front end on it and the leaf springs were in the way of the arm that comes out of the steering gear box so the gear box was bolted on higher and now my steering isnt very smooth and has screwed up a couple other things....
So i need to lift the truck using what i think is called the front shackle??? Is this right? If someone had a pic it would help
Where do i get these parts?
I have a 78 front end on it and the leaf springs were in the way of the arm that comes out of the steering gear box so the gear box was bolted on higher and now my steering isnt very smooth and has screwed up a couple other things....
So i need to lift the truck using what i think is called the front shackle??? Is this right? If someone had a pic it would help
Where do i get these parts?
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 15
From: Costa Mesa, CA
Here's a custom one I made on my '74. I've seen lots of "easier" versions built...
Keep in mind you don't want to drop the front of the leafs only, unless you re-do the leaf spring pad orientation on the axle. Your pinion angle is effected by this...
Keep in mind you don't want to drop the front of the leafs only, unless you re-do the leaf spring pad orientation on the axle. Your pinion angle is effected by this...
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,804
Likes: 5
From: Southern California
I did the same thing on my 74' by installing a D60 out of a 78' and didn't have any problems. Although I also took the power steering box out of the 78' and installed that at the same time and held the arm just under the frame rail for clearance. Did you use the leaf springs from the 78' when you made the axle swap or leave the 74' springs in? The 74' springs leave a lot more clearance.
I didnt do the change out. The guy b4 me had it done.... So i somehow need to get 2in of clearance between the fram and the leafs so i can drop the box back into the original place...
As Vic_V8 says ( are they worn out?) Nope.... Sits almost factory.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,371
Likes: 6
From: PA
Buy a small lift kit or make up your own drop solid spring mounts hey chasetruck when dropping your front of your leafs down with a custom front solid leaf mount can the pinion angle be set back in the right angle by using longer shackles in the rear to make up for the front being dropped?
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 263
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From: spotsy va
i did a power steering swap on my 75 highboy n used a 79 350 steering box n the pitman arm comes out under the frame rail n still leaves u room
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,804
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From: Southern California
I have a list of things to do to it that is costing me a fortune:
Seat Belts
40 Gal rear gas tank
Rims
Tires
Rhino Line
Paint Removal
New Paint
Im doing the primer my self
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 15
From: Costa Mesa, CA
Yup - my "bracket" dropped the leaf mount in the front 1" over stock to accommodate the extra weight the cummins will put on the thing. I made my shackles 1" longer overall as well.
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