Help with leaf spring 4wd swap

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Jun 30, 2012 | 07:34 AM

4EyedTurd

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Nov 2009

Posts: 160

Likes: 4

From: Waco,Tx

Help with leaf spring 4wd swap

I made some progress on the truck last night and it came apparent that I have something wrong. The leaf springs I got for free from a "super duty" are shot and I ended up with a horrible shackle angle. I tried to follow others when they did a shackle flip and made sure I measured 52" from center of rear leaf bracket hole to center of the hole in front hanger. Measured twice, drilled holes, mounted axle then jacked up passenger side to see how it was going to look. The leaf spring flattens out and slighty bends opposite upward while the shackle is almost flat. I believe I'm looking for a 45* shackle angle so should I move the front hanger forward, the back hanger back or get new springs? or all three?

Jun 30, 2012 | 03:43 PM

serious_lee

Junior User

Joined: Dec 2011

Posts: 90

Likes: 3

Here's a picture of my 1990 F250 Front shackle placement. Seems like you have it pretty much in the same spot.

The rear should be the solid mount though... well that's the way it comes from the factory anyway.

Jun 30, 2012 | 05:43 PM

Diesel_Brad

Fleet Owner

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 21,437

Likes: 76

From: Gilbert, PA

You have your front hanger to far rearward. You need to move it forward 3 1/2"
And it is call a RSK(reverse shackle Kit)

Jul 1, 2012 | 08:59 AM

4EyedTurd

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Nov 2009

Posts: 160

Likes: 4

From: Waco,Tx

Thanks for the pictures Brad, I'm trying to figure a point of reference unless from center of the bolt holes it should be 55 1/2" instead of my 52"?

Jul 3, 2012 | 10:47 AM

4EyedTurd

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Nov 2009

Posts: 160

Likes: 4

From: Waco,Tx

I got the front hanger moved up and redrilled. Now to fix the saggy front leaf spring. Are add-a-leafs worth running on the front to correct the sagging?

I found these 1980-1997 Ford F250, F350 4wd - Leaf Spring (Front - 1 Extra Leaf) - 43-476-XL | $44.95 and thought they might help since the truck is a diesel crew cab. Anyone used them before?