Front leaf spring question
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 203
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From: Middle of nowhere, Mo
Front leaf spring question
So today while I was out i seen a 1997 Ford F350 7.3 powerstroke so I pulled over and looked at it. I thought it had a little bit of a lift on it and then I started looking and there was no lift on it. When i looked at the tires they were the same size as mine but there was more of a spacing between the tire and fender on this truck. Now i have a 95 F250 with a 351w and the ifs dana 50 the truck i seen had a powerstroke and solid axle (dana 60?). Now with the truck having the powerstroke (or the solid axle) does that make it have to have a different front leaf spring so it can support the weight. And would I get any sort of lift by getting a set of springs for a 460 or powerstroke truck since it doesnt have to support as much weight?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Central Wisconsin
The F350 (One Ton) and your F250 (3/4 Ton) have different weight capacities, and to meet those capacities yes, they do use different springs. You don't have the same trucks. The F350 uses a Dana 60 Straight Axle and your truck uses a Dana 50 Twin Traction Beam. I would highly doubt you would gain any height by using the springs out of a truck that has a big block because the springs are probably more worn out.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Middle of nowhere, Mo
I didnt mean take a set off another used truck I meant more like find a set of new ones, and see if those gave any lift to it. Also would the F350 springs fit where my springs would go, or is there any sort of modification that needs to be done?
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
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From: Gilbert, PA
F350 springs will NOT work in your F250 truck unless you use the F350 dana 60 front axle too.
F250 springs have a spring rate of approx 3,400lbs
F350 springs have a spring rate of approx 2,200lbs
The reasoning behind this is that the F250 spring not only has to move up and down, it has to follow the arch of the axle when if flexes. The f350 spring just has to move up and down.
if you use f350 springs in your F250, the truck would sit about the same as what you have now and then it would sag BADLY from flexing the spring beyond the way it was designed.
If you want more lift from your springs, you can add and add-a-leaf and get the truck aligned about a week after the add-a-leaf is installed(to allow for settling)
F250 springs have a spring rate of approx 3,400lbs
F350 springs have a spring rate of approx 2,200lbs
The reasoning behind this is that the F250 spring not only has to move up and down, it has to follow the arch of the axle when if flexes. The f350 spring just has to move up and down.
if you use f350 springs in your F250, the truck would sit about the same as what you have now and then it would sag BADLY from flexing the spring beyond the way it was designed.
If you want more lift from your springs, you can add and add-a-leaf and get the truck aligned about a week after the add-a-leaf is installed(to allow for settling)
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 304
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From: Clare, MI
F350 springs will NOT work in your F250 truck unless you use the F350 dana 60 front axle too.
F250 springs have a spring rate of approx 3,400lbs
F350 springs have a spring rate of approx 2,200lbs
The reasoning behind this is that the F250 spring not only has to move up and down, it has to follow the arch of the axle when if flexes. The f350 spring just has to move up and down.
if you use f350 springs in your F250, the truck would sit about the same as what you have now and then it would sag BADLY from flexing the spring beyond the way it was designed.
If you want more lift from your springs, you can add and add-a-leaf and get the truck aligned about a week after the add-a-leaf is installed(to allow for settling)
F250 springs have a spring rate of approx 3,400lbs
F350 springs have a spring rate of approx 2,200lbs
The reasoning behind this is that the F250 spring not only has to move up and down, it has to follow the arch of the axle when if flexes. The f350 spring just has to move up and down.
if you use f350 springs in your F250, the truck would sit about the same as what you have now and then it would sag BADLY from flexing the spring beyond the way it was designed.
If you want more lift from your springs, you can add and add-a-leaf and get the truck aligned about a week after the add-a-leaf is installed(to allow for settling)
Not so much the arc, but the fact that the axle half is a (3rd class) lever.
Where did you get the spring rates though?
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 203
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From: Middle of nowhere, Mo
ok so really the best bet would be either add-a-leaf or having a new set of springs made. Cause there is a shop in St. louis out by me that actually make there own custom springs.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
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From: Gilbert, PA
All they spring shop will do is sell you a new set of springs with a add-a-leaf installed
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