Ok, so I've gotten many parts off my 97 F350 parts truck but the leafs weren't one of them. My friend is moving shops and it had to be out by today, so I was in a rush and when the bolts turned out to be seized in the bushings I ran out of time to mess with it. On the plus side what was left of the carcass netted me $300 at the scrap yard...

Anyway, the axles are going to end up under my 86 F250 SCLB. For now I'll use the F250 springs but I wonder if it would be better getting a set for it and what should I get?

The trucks got 33's on it now with plenty of room and I'm thinking after the axle swap with no lift 35's will fit, which is my plan. I don't mind a little bit more lift so should I look at aftermarket lift springs? Should I use factory springs and if so from what? F350 I assume but does it matter that I have a SuperCab? Should I look for a spring company to make me a set?

I know it's a solid axle 1-ton basically but relatively speaking I'd like a nice ride.

 

If all you want is a little lift in the back, just use blocks and longer U-bolts. Retains the same ride that way.

Aftermarket springs will probably be stiffer. Add-a-leafs will be stiffer.

 

I have heard the f350 springs are softer than the f250 ttb springs. So they will give a better ride, but of course no lift. If you want lift with the stock f350 soft spring, you will have to do a shackle reversal from someone like Sky Manufacturing. I believe they have 3 inch and 5 inch lifts for the f350 when you use the shackle reversal in the front.

 

I've been looking at different spring codes and the f350 springs are definitely softer; 2200 lbs vs 3500 lbs. They also have more arch; 3" vs 1-1/4".

Now, for the rear I have an unusual idea. What about using a much lighter pack and use some air-lift air bags like the load leveler 5000 to carry the load? This way empty I can empty the bags and it should ride nice.

I'll probably look for a spring shop and talk to them about making some packs up, I think there's one not too far from me.

 

The original springs worked that way. If you look at them, they have a few thinner top leaves that are curved, and a large thick flat leaf on the bottom. The curved lighter leaves give a good ride, and when you carry a load they come down till they hit the larger flat leaf on the bottom of the pack.

That's also why factory trucks ride higher in the rear when they are unloaded. When the springs come down with a load, the truck should be somewhat close to level. It aggravates me a little bit when I see all these "frontend leveling kits". When you load a truck down with one of those, it's really going to sag in the rear.

I will tell you also, when the dana 60 is intalled, it will naturally raise the front of the truck 2 inches. The reason I know this is f250's had a factory 2 inch block in the rear, and the f350's had a 4 inch block in the rear from the factory.

Also, don't go too soft on the rear springs. The springs also locate and hold the rearend in place. So if really weak springs are installed, you will get a lot of axle twist on take off, unless you add some sort of traction bars or ladder bars.