Rear suspension help!!!!
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: Brazoria, Texas
Rear suspension help!!!!
I have a 89 f150 4x4 i6. I want to do something about my sagging wore out leaf springs that lean to one side. I have a leveling kit and my shocks are about a year old. A suspension shop gave me a few options. They said I could get a good set of used springs for cheap to see if it helps and get some sort of helper spring (helwig?). Or they said I could get air bags that will level any load I put on the truck and I could put a little more air on the side that is leaning more to level it out. I'm not sure what to do now. I don't do a lot of heavy towing with this truck (she's old and tired) but I'm not afraid to put 5000lbs on her and get things done. I did a search on here but couldn't fined much info. JC whinty will sell me a set of leaf springs for I think a little over $200. My leaf springs have 4 leafs and are 3in wide.
What would y'all do? Any advise is appreciated!
What would y'all do? Any advise is appreciated!
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: Brazoria, Texas
I was kinda leaning to the new leaf springs but I wanted to see what people had to say. If I do go that rout I would just get the stock springs. I don't want it to ride like a f-250 and I don't have a lift either. How much of a lift do you have?
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Upstate NY
Get a set of air helper springs for it... You wont sacrifice your unloaded ride but will be able to jack her up for heavy loads. I have air helpers in my Nissan and I load the snot out of it with no problems.
Around 200 bucks and an hour install and you will love it.
Around 200 bucks and an hour install and you will love it.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: Brazoria, Texas
I have 4. Which 5 leafs would I get if I got new? On JC whitney there is one that has 2450lbs cap. for $110 and one that has 2073lbs cap. for $153. I would say the one with 2450lbs but it seems funny that the one with more carrying cap is less expensive..
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: Brazoria, Texas
What about going off road? Does it take any articulation away? I don't get crazy with my truck but I have been in some tight situations with my suspension having to flex. If I had the air bags would putting more air in it (unloaded) increase the amount pressure I put to the road?
I am just trying to figger out the best one for what I do with the truck.
Trending Topics
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
Likes: 12
From: Bend,OR
honestly i would just go to the wrecking yard and get springs for that one side from another F150 supercab.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
Likes: 12
From: Bend,OR
your current block also provides pinion angle for the diff. just because you go with an f250 spring doesnt mean you can loose the block. stock springs are stock springs and tend to not be any taller between f150,f250 only stiffer for larger load capcity.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
FYI.. The truck leaning to one side is not usually caused by the rear suspension .. just so you know, most of the weight is carried by the front end so that's where a lean problem typically originates.. either with a broken or weak coil spring or a rusted/broken spring tower.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: Brazoria, Texas
Im still split both ways on what to do. On the air bags if it was at the minimum air pressure would the truck handle like the bags are not even there? On the off road side I am just wondering what the up travel would be like. I know the down travel will be the same because of the shock not allowing it to go to far.
I like the idea of new springs but I like the idea of the ones from a junk yard barbecue it would be cheaper. I would love to get both but funds only permit just one of the two ideas right now.
The springs are 3 years old and in good condition (leveling kit). The spring towers are in good shape too. The hole right side does not sag just the right back end. I have a hard time explaining it on the computer sometimes. It has been like that ever since I can remember. Could it be wore out bushings somewhere?
I like the idea of new springs but I like the idea of the ones from a junk yard barbecue it would be cheaper. I would love to get both but funds only permit just one of the two ideas right now.
FYI.. The truck leaning to one side is not usually caused by the rear suspension .. just so you know, most of the weight is carried by the front end so that's where a lean problem typically originates.. either with a broken or weak coil spring or a rusted/broken spring tower.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 1
From: Northern MN
It would probably be better to just go to the junkyard then... if you want to save $$$. Just take a look around the truck and see if the back end sits fairly level, to see that the springs aren't too sagged, before you buy them.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: Brazoria, Texas
No I have not checked that. I will check that this eveing.