Leaf Spring Modification/Ride Height
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From: Boston, MA
Leaf Spring Modification/Ride Height
I bought my truck last December with 6" of lift and it's gotten me in some deep water here in Massachusetts. I need to take a couple inches out, but I don't want to spend a ton of money and get a whole new lift kit. I think it's a pro comp 6" suspension lift, but im not 100% sure of the brand.
My question is; Can I just remove some leafs from the spring pack? Off the top of my head I think there are 6 leafs in each spring, I'll get some pics up later when I get home. The front is all spring, the rear has blocks and beefier springs.
I'll need shorter U-Bolts....or can I just spin a dye on and lengthen the threads?
EDIT: FOUND SOME PICS!
My question is; Can I just remove some leafs from the spring pack? Off the top of my head I think there are 6 leafs in each spring, I'll get some pics up later when I get home. The front is all spring, the rear has blocks and beefier springs.
I'll need shorter U-Bolts....or can I just spin a dye on and lengthen the threads?
EDIT: FOUND SOME PICS!
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From: Boston, MA
bump to top....any help peeps? I see I can probably remove the bottom leaf that isn't engaged...the flat/straight one, but how many more can I remove and still have 2000lbs in the bed.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Wayyy NoCal, USA
Unfortunately, it will be a trial and error task to find which leaves to remove...
Do not remove any "full length" leaves.
I would advise against using a die to extend threads. Most U-bolts use rolled threads for greater strength. Dies tend to cut "sharp" roots in the threads, which are stress risers.
Have you tried finding someone to trade springs with?
Do not remove any "full length" leaves.
I would advise against using a die to extend threads. Most U-bolts use rolled threads for greater strength. Dies tend to cut "sharp" roots in the threads, which are stress risers.
Have you tried finding someone to trade springs with?
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From: Boston, MA
What do you mean don't mess with the U-Bolts? I can get shorter ones, but as far as the leaf's go can I remove two to get 1.5" that way and hope it sags another inch or so? If I tell them I'm only lifted 3.5" I can get away with it, but 6" makes them cringe. Babies.
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Posting Guru
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From: Boston, MA
Unfortunately, it will be a trial and error task to find which leaves to remove...
Do not remove any "full length" leaves.
I would advise against using a die to extend threads. Most U-bolts use rolled threads for greater strength. Dies tend to cut "sharp" roots in the threads, which are stress risers.
Have you tried finding someone to trade springs with?
Do not remove any "full length" leaves.
I would advise against using a die to extend threads. Most U-bolts use rolled threads for greater strength. Dies tend to cut "sharp" roots in the threads, which are stress risers.
Have you tried finding someone to trade springs with?
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 64
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From: Gettysburg
Would be nice if all the states weren't idiots, i just looked up the lift laws, there are some crazy one's. But yes with the U-bolts you only can torq. them once, you will need new one's, I bought mine off of "streetsideauto" great price's & fast shipping, I also got my Pro Comp leveling leafs thru them, gave me a 2.5" leveling height, but it seems MASS. is a maximum of 2"s.
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Token Redneck
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Breckenridge, TX
Like to took me forever to find this guy's pic of the overload getting hammered, still doesn't bend much with 5000# on it,:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post10625516
This is no sprung weight at all, adds less than an inch to the height of the pack:
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From: Boston, MA
[quote=texastech_diesel;10916693]You keep talking about still wanting to load the bed up with a couple thousand pounds... so pulling the overload might not be the best idea. It's contributing a whoping 3/4" right now (pad thickness), but it really does kick in once you load the bed down. As it starts to engage it basically stops the springs from de-arching. Your rear pack looks like two leaves were added, look at the pads on the end of each leaf, I'd bet there are two that are different, and I'd guess the 1st and 3rd up from the bottom, or the 3rd and 4th. The top leaf that goes from hanger to hanger, and the leaf with the clamps on it are probably part of the stock pack.
Like to took me forever to find this guy's pic of the overload getting hammered, still doesn't bend much with 5000# on it,:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post10625516
[quote]
thanks for the words of wisdom. that picture is nuts! imagine the stress on those shackles. what do you make of the leaf thats above the rest, about 1" up from the pack on my rears??
Like to took me forever to find this guy's pic of the overload getting hammered, still doesn't bend much with 5000# on it,:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post10625516
[quote]
thanks for the words of wisdom. that picture is nuts! imagine the stress on those shackles. what do you make of the leaf thats above the rest, about 1" up from the pack on my rears??
Token Redneck
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,339
Likes: 350
From: Breckenridge, TX
Looks like the factory upper aux spring that came on almost all 350s and some 250s with certain packages. That's why I'm guessing you have an AAL in the back, because the overload, aux spring, the aux spacer, and the clamps all look stock. They could have maybe tried to rearch some of the stock springs, but my guess is a seriously arched AAL somewhere in the middle of the pack. The back end is light enough that you can lift it a couple inches with a single leaf that's stiff and arched enough. The rake from the factory 4" block and a 2" single AAL would net you almost enough to keep the back around where a 6" front lift would get you, probably dead level. But that's a WAG since I've never had a leaf spring front end on a SD.
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