F350 front spring question
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F350 front spring question
I am converting my 1995 F350 7.3 Powerstroke 2WD to 4WD. I am using the front parts off of an F250 5.8L gas engine. My question is can I use the front leaf springs from the F250 on the F350 as they are? I was told that the 7.3 Powerstroke is considerably heavier than the 5.8L engine and that the springs may not carry the 7.3 weight correctly. This could cause the front suspension to have a "spongier" feel and cause the truck to sit to low in the front. which could result in damage the the springs. Is this true?
What is the weight difference between the 7.3L and the 5.8L anyway?
Thanks,
Dave Roderick
What is the weight difference between the 7.3L and the 5.8L anyway?
Thanks,
Dave Roderick
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 10,121
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From: Orrville, Ohio
Good morning Dave!
I would try to get your hands on some F350 springs if I were you. The weight of the engine is only one of the considerations, but it is a substantial difference.As best I can find, the 5.8 goes about 545 pounds whereas the PSD goes about 1,000 LBS when it is fully dressed.
The bigger consideration is that the TTB from an F250 uses STIFFER springs than the ones on the D60 in an F350. The reason for this has to do with differences in the geometry of the axles. Puttying a D60 under stock F250 springs typically results in a very harsh ride. I don't know for sure that the 5.8 trucks used the same springs as the PSD trucks, but if you get some part numbers off of them (or the spring codes from the vin sticker), and post them up here I am sure someone could compare them to the spring codes of their stock PSD F250.
My bet is that it will bolt up just fine, but won't ride like you want it to.
I would try to get your hands on some F350 springs if I were you. The weight of the engine is only one of the considerations, but it is a substantial difference.As best I can find, the 5.8 goes about 545 pounds whereas the PSD goes about 1,000 LBS when it is fully dressed.
The bigger consideration is that the TTB from an F250 uses STIFFER springs than the ones on the D60 in an F350. The reason for this has to do with differences in the geometry of the axles. Puttying a D60 under stock F250 springs typically results in a very harsh ride. I don't know for sure that the 5.8 trucks used the same springs as the PSD trucks, but if you get some part numbers off of them (or the spring codes from the vin sticker), and post them up here I am sure someone could compare them to the spring codes of their stock PSD F250.
My bet is that it will bolt up just fine, but won't ride like you want it to.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: West Texas
They need to be for a diesel. They are different from a gas engine. And FWIW, I put my F250's old and never touched front springs on my F350 that had rearched springs on it and it lifted to the right height. About 3 more inches. Someone told me the 250 springs are stronger and I believe it. They just have to be from a diesel.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Newport, WA
They need to be for a diesel. They are different from a gas engine. And FWIW, I put my F250's old and never touched front springs on my F350 that had rearched springs on it and it lifted to the right height. About 3 more inches. Someone told me the 250 springs are stronger and I believe it. They just have to be from a diesel.
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[QUOTE=DIYMechanic;116257
I would try to get your hands on some F350 springs if I were you.[/QUOTE]
I was under the impression that the F350 4WD only had the solid front axle. I was originally told that I would probably have to add another leaf to the F250 springs. My options are kind of limited short of finding the front springs out of an F250 4WD diesel. I already have the springs from the 5.8 and was hoping that they would either work or I could make them work by modifying/adding leaves to them.
Thanks,
Dsve Roderick
I would try to get your hands on some F350 springs if I were you.[/QUOTE]
I was under the impression that the F350 4WD only had the solid front axle. I was originally told that I would probably have to add another leaf to the F250 springs. My options are kind of limited short of finding the front springs out of an F250 4WD diesel. I already have the springs from the 5.8 and was hoping that they would either work or I could make them work by modifying/adding leaves to them.
Thanks,
Dsve Roderick
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Richland, WA
I think some more info is needed here:
1) Are you using the F250 ttb axle or an F350 axle?
2) If F250 axle, what year? Some of the F250s got a D44 ttb. I have a '90 F250 with a 5.8 that I'm parting out and it has a D44 ttb. I would not put that under a diesel.
1) Are you using the F250 ttb axle or an F350 axle?
2) If F250 axle, what year? Some of the F250s got a D44 ttb. I have a '90 F250 with a 5.8 that I'm parting out and it has a D44 ttb. I would not put that under a diesel.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Southern West Virginia
This is true. I have both. A 250 ECSB with 2 leaves up front and a 250 ECLB with 3 leaves up front.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Southern West Virginia
Yes, definately, if you are using a 250 TTB front axle, make sure it's the heavy duty one!!!!! IMHO I would try to find a D60 from a 350. Would make a much better swap.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Richland, WA
I think just about everybody will agree with you on this. I always tell people that when I did the D60 swap it was harder for me to pull the D50 than it was to install the D60.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Southern West Virginia
I'm gonna be doing a D60 swap on the '97 ECSB I just bought. I've got a '92 CC 350 project truck that I'm gonna borrow the D60 from for a while LOL!
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I am using a D50 TTB axle from a 1994 F250 7.3L IDI. The front leaf springs that I have are out of a 1995 F250 5.8 Gas. I am almost positive that the front springs have Two leaves.
Thanks,
Dave Roderick
Thanks,
Dave Roderick
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Cost is definitely an issue on this project for me. I am going to use the D50 because that is what I have to work with. I would much rather use the D60 but I just don't have one laying around. I do however happen to have the D50 TTB. But, I would hate to get the truck on the tiers just to find out I have to Jack it back up again in preparation for taking the springs back out for a trip to the spring shop.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 11,132
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From: Southern West Virginia
Maybe see if you can locate a set of springs from a diesel 250. Preferably ones with three leaves just to be on the safe side if you're concerned. But like I said, I have a '97 250 PSD with two leaves.
Can you check the door sticker on the '95 gas truck and see what the spring code is? I'll run out and check the one with two leaves, they may be the same.
Can you check the door sticker on the '95 gas truck and see what the spring code is? I'll run out and check the one with two leaves, they may be the same.