replace or refinish springs?
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 406
Likes: 2
From: South Carolina
replace or refinish springs?
Hello,
I'm working on a rebuild of my 1978 F250. I'm stripping it down to the frame now where I will probably re-finish it with POR-15.
Should I replace the leaf springs and coil springs or can I re-finish them with POR-15 as well? Do they wear easily and is there any way to tell if they are worn and need to be replaced?
Thanks in advance,
Joe
I'm working on a rebuild of my 1978 F250. I'm stripping it down to the frame now where I will probably re-finish it with POR-15.
Should I replace the leaf springs and coil springs or can I re-finish them with POR-15 as well? Do they wear easily and is there any way to tell if they are worn and need to be replaced?
Thanks in advance,
Joe
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
Congrats on your progress.
With the springs, I would have evaluated for sag before the rig was disassembled. If they didn't pose an issue before, I say get them bead blasted and then treat with POR-15.
On the leafs, keep track of left side versus left side leves so they are reassembled as matched sets. On the coils, it's way easier to dip them than to paint them by hand. That is of course unless you're spraying the POR-15.
With the springs, I would have evaluated for sag before the rig was disassembled. If they didn't pose an issue before, I say get them bead blasted and then treat with POR-15.
On the leafs, keep track of left side versus left side leves so they are reassembled as matched sets. On the coils, it's way easier to dip them than to paint them by hand. That is of course unless you're spraying the POR-15.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 406
Likes: 2
From: South Carolina
Thanks HIO Silver, i didnt notice any sag in the truck as it seemed to sit up pretty level from front to back. My un-trainined eyes could have easily missed something though.
Thanks for the tip. I will definitely mark the sets so I can remember what went where.
As for the POR-15, I planned on spraying it.
Thanks for the tip. I will definitely mark the sets so I can remember what went where.
As for the POR-15, I planned on spraying it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,261
Likes: 15
From: Big Sky Country
Your rig does appear to have lost some of it's original ride height, though it's not a necessity, replacing the springs is an option you may want to consider.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 406
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From: South Carolina
Noted. Thanks mikeo0o0o0!
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 406
Likes: 2
From: South Carolina
I'm guessing I can measure the springs once I have them out to see how much they differ from factory specs or a new set of springs?
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Tuned
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: South Carolina
Picture of the truck for reference
Adding a picture of the truck so anyone can see the ride height\sag\etc...
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Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 406
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From: South Carolina
Good Point. Can anyone recommend a place to purchase these from? I just checked advanced and they have the coil springs but not the leaf springs.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,553
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Agree if you like the stance and they aren't cracked or damaged, clean them and paint them. From the pic, the rear does look a little low for my taste.
If you decide to replace, another source of springs would be your local spring shop. Check the yellow pages or search "leaf springs near _______". I bet one or more will come up. I got a set of replacement rear leafs for my F250 in a couple days from a local shop at reasonable cost. Mine were cracked causing the sag. Sometimes cracks in the lower leafs are hard or impossible to spot until the spring is removed.
If you decide to replace, another source of springs would be your local spring shop. Check the yellow pages or search "leaf springs near _______". I bet one or more will come up. I got a set of replacement rear leafs for my F250 in a couple days from a local shop at reasonable cost. Mine were cracked causing the sag. Sometimes cracks in the lower leafs are hard or impossible to spot until the spring is removed.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 340
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From: Near Madison, WI
If you're going to the extent of blasting everything, and are then capable of spraying paint, skip the por 15 and do it right. Epoxy prime it, followed by an imron topcoat. Easy to spray, tough as nails, and will last forever.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 406
Likes: 2
From: South Carolina
Agree if you like the stance and they aren't cracked or damaged, clean them and paint them. From the pic, the rear does look a little low for my taste.
If you decide to replace, another source of springs would be your local spring shop. Check the yellow pages or search "leaf springs near _______". I bet one or more will come up. I got a set of replacement rear leafs for my F250 in a couple days from a local shop at reasonable cost. Mine were cracked causing the sag. Sometimes cracks in the lower leafs are hard or impossible to spot until the spring is removed.
If you decide to replace, another source of springs would be your local spring shop. Check the yellow pages or search "leaf springs near _______". I bet one or more will come up. I got a set of replacement rear leafs for my F250 in a couple days from a local shop at reasonable cost. Mine were cracked causing the sag. Sometimes cracks in the lower leafs are hard or impossible to spot until the spring is removed.
Thanks Blue and White. I'll start looking locally. If I can find a good deal on a pair I think I will replace them. Based on everyone's feedback I think I agree that the stance is a little low and could use a bit of a boost.