removing overloads?
Thread Starter
|
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,513
Likes: 669
From: Sioux Falls Area
removing overloads?
79 F350 4x2 CS
came with, what appears to be, aftermarket overloads which makes the truck ride like total poop. Butt leaves the seat going over every bridge end ... painfull.
The most i've ever put in the bed so far was around 1100lbs, and maybe another 750lbs or so on the hitch at the same time.... other than that, i did have a 275gal water tank in it for a week, but i didnt drive it that way, nor do i plan on doing that on a regular basis.
i can't immagine that i really "need" the overloads. I guess if i'm wrong, i can always put in airbags ... much preferrable to the overloads.
so, i took the rubber snubbers out to give the springs some movement before they hit the brackets. I'm sure they'll make some noise this way, but hopefully this will soften the ride until i can remove them alltogether.
I have to admit that i'm a little worried that the overload might make contact with the fuel filler now ... looks pretty close.
so, how do i remove the overload leafs for good?
is it as simple as loosening the u-bolts, removing the overloads, and reinstalling the upper bracket?
can i do this with the truck on the ground? or do i need to get some weight off the springs first?
uncharted waters for me here ... I know they are 15/16" nuts, and they are pretty tight ... but that's about where i check out.
any help from the pros?
thanks in advance!
came with, what appears to be, aftermarket overloads which makes the truck ride like total poop. Butt leaves the seat going over every bridge end ... painfull.
The most i've ever put in the bed so far was around 1100lbs, and maybe another 750lbs or so on the hitch at the same time.... other than that, i did have a 275gal water tank in it for a week, but i didnt drive it that way, nor do i plan on doing that on a regular basis.
i can't immagine that i really "need" the overloads. I guess if i'm wrong, i can always put in airbags ... much preferrable to the overloads.
so, i took the rubber snubbers out to give the springs some movement before they hit the brackets. I'm sure they'll make some noise this way, but hopefully this will soften the ride until i can remove them alltogether.
I have to admit that i'm a little worried that the overload might make contact with the fuel filler now ... looks pretty close.
so, how do i remove the overload leafs for good?
is it as simple as loosening the u-bolts, removing the overloads, and reinstalling the upper bracket?
can i do this with the truck on the ground? or do i need to get some weight off the springs first?
uncharted waters for me here ... I know they are 15/16" nuts, and they are pretty tight ... but that's about where i check out.
any help from the pros?
thanks in advance!
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 778
Likes: 2
From: southeast Idaho
Looks like you would just need to take them off and maybe get some shorter ubolts after moving the top plate down to the main springs. I have one out back just like it but have never really looked at it in that way..
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
It's easier to cut the old u-bolts off. You might get lucky and be able to just pull the overloads off without cutting the center spring bolt I can't tell with the pics you have. You will have to get shorter u-bolts. If it rides too soft when hauling anything just add a leaf in the main pack and it should help out. My dad worked in a spring shop for many years and said a general rule of thumb was every leaf you add give about 2 in of lift and 1000 lbs extra load cap. if you keep them full length.
Thread Starter
|
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,513
Likes: 669
From: Sioux Falls Area
do i "need" shorter u-bolts? the threads do go down past the spring pack. I'd like to reuse as much as possible, just from a "not spending money" stand point.
i'm not quite sure what you mean about cutting the center spring bolt.....
there is a spacer between the spring pack and the overloads, i was thinking the overloads just sit on top of that spacer, is there a bolt in there somewhere that will get in the way when i pull the overloads?
I'm not too worried about it riding too soft ... my full body weight jumping on the back bumper only makes the truck bounce about 1/2" ... i think someone must have had a huge camper in the bed at one time, so i could see how the overloads would have worked for that. but for everything else, they are just waaaaay too much!
thanks!
i'm not quite sure what you mean about cutting the center spring bolt.....
there is a spacer between the spring pack and the overloads, i was thinking the overloads just sit on top of that spacer, is there a bolt in there somewhere that will get in the way when i pull the overloads?
I'm not too worried about it riding too soft ... my full body weight jumping on the back bumper only makes the truck bounce about 1/2" ... i think someone must have had a huge camper in the bed at one time, so i could see how the overloads would have worked for that. but for everything else, they are just waaaaay too much!
thanks!
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
U-bolts are cheap I added 2 leaves to both sides and 4 U-bolts and all the pads and center bolts for 50 bucks. There is a center pinch bolt the holds the leaves together. I can't see if it goes through the whole pack. It might not and that spacer is keeping things lined up.
Thread Starter
|
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,513
Likes: 669
From: Sioux Falls Area
i'll measure them, but i'm pretty sure the springs are 2.25" on this one
I'm gonna have to find an exploded view of a spring pack before i dig too deep ... hate to get it torn apart then find out there was something i didn't know i needed or needed to do.
I'm gonna have to find an exploded view of a spring pack before i dig too deep ... hate to get it torn apart then find out there was something i didn't know i needed or needed to do.
Trending Topics
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,808
Likes: 0
From: Meigs County Ohio
I am pretty sure they are the size you stated too, and they look like the ones on my chevy 3500HD frame where the center pin goes threw the overloads, threw the spacer and threw the main pack.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
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
Thread Starter
|
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,513
Likes: 669
From: Sioux Falls Area
i drove it tonight with the rubber spacers removed and it is an improvement in ride.
without the spacers i have about an inch of travel before the springs hit the perches. I hit some rough roads and some steap approaches and i never did hear the overloads hit.
it is still stiff as crap, but it does actually bounce now, were before it would barely move no matter how big the bump.
just gotta put 800 or 900 lbs in the bed now and see what it does
without the spacers i have about an inch of travel before the springs hit the perches. I hit some rough roads and some steap approaches and i never did hear the overloads hit.
it is still stiff as crap, but it does actually bounce now, were before it would barely move no matter how big the bump.
just gotta put 800 or 900 lbs in the bed now and see what it does
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,553
Likes: 10
I had similar overloads on an F250. The ride was terrible also. They were also in bad shape along with the main sprigs. I removed them replaced the main springs with stock style and it made a huge difference.
The fine threads on u bolts lock up the nuts with time and rust. As several have posted, best plan is to have a new set of U bolts and sawzall or torch the old ones off. It will save hours of fighting breaker bars and pipe extensions.
The fine threads on u bolts lock up the nuts with time and rust. As several have posted, best plan is to have a new set of U bolts and sawzall or torch the old ones off. It will save hours of fighting breaker bars and pipe extensions.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,038
Likes: 4
From: South west Idaho
I removed the overloads from a 79 i was scrapping out and installed them on another 79 i was fixing up. The spacer plate was just sitting there and never had the center bolt though it. The only hard part was getting the U-bolts loose. I left the weight of the truck on the axle pad so it would not move. Then just unbolted the U-bolts ,removed them and lifted the overload spring pack and spacer straight up and out. Placed it all on the truck i was fixing up and bolted it all up. Real easy after getting the U-bolts out.---
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Heinz5774
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Sep 23, 2019 05:34 PM
Spyderjohn
1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
14
Jun 15, 2011 02:53 PM
Huntfamily53
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Sep 1, 2009 08:11 AM