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Old Oct 10, 2013 | 10:13 AM
  #1  
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Spring help

I have a 73 F250, 360 4sp, with a heavy camper on it. I think my 40 year old springs are shot and want to get some cheap replacements. when I'm looking in the pick a part, will the springs from newer trucks be interchangeable, and more importantly this is my camper truck, it will always have a heavy load on it, will 1ton springs fit under it? I don't need a Cadillac ride, stiff is fine, just don't like the rocking when going down the road.

Thanks
 
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Old Oct 10, 2013 | 02:08 PM
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Hopefully one of the more knowledgeable folks will jump in here, but FWIW, I think the later model trucks use a 3" wide spring as opposed to the earlier trucks which Use a 2.5". They can be changed but they require switching out your spring hangers and shackles. Junkyard springs are a gamble though as you can never really tell what condition they are in and may be just as blown out. I can recommend a company out of Kansas City called General Spring. Best prices and everything made here in US so you are getting quality.

General Spring | Leaf Springs, U Bolts, Suspension Parts and More!
 
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Old Oct 10, 2013 | 02:47 PM
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Thanks. Just looking at the application chart showed me the springs are different sizes. Maybe just an add a leaf and some new shocks.
 
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Old Oct 10, 2013 | 05:40 PM
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You might have to install an anti-sway bar to help control the rocking.

I am sure shocks and springs will help, but they alone are not designed to take the "sway" out of a truck/camper combo.
 
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Old Oct 11, 2013 | 02:08 AM
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in my search, I have looked for sway bars. I cant seem to find them for truck that old. Any suggestions where to look?
 
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Old Oct 11, 2013 | 02:22 AM
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Originally Posted by John in Vegas
in my search, I have looked for sway bars. I cant seem to find them for truck that old. Any suggestions where to look?
Front/rear stabilizer (sway) bars were available factory installed beginning in 1973 for F250 2WD's and etc. Previously, only available aftermarket from autoparts stores, front end shops, RV dealers.

Left (bottom of page): 5A772 rear stabilizer bar applications / Right (towards bottom of page): 5482 front stabilizer bar applications.
 
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Old Oct 11, 2013 | 10:24 AM
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Ok thanks. That is a lot of ford parts to order and end up costing more than the truck cost me! I don't know what I googled before to get no results for that old but now I found a couple different size bars, 1" and 1 1/4". Since My budget is very limited, will have to get the front and rear in different monthly pay periods, my question now is how do I determine if I need the thicker, more expensive ones and which end would be most effective to get first?
 
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Old Oct 11, 2013 | 10:33 AM
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Sway bars are very cheap in the junkyard and pretty much anything can be adapted.
 
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Old Oct 11, 2013 | 09:30 PM
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A local spring shop could inspect the springs and replace any broken leafs. Also add another leaf if you want to stiffen things up. I have found cost to be reasonable for this service.

For the sway bar, does it have one on the front already? I'd start there. I believe LMC truck sells them.
 
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Old Oct 12, 2013 | 01:21 AM
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I'm pretty sure it doesn't have one anywhere. Since I have to wait a few weeks to get paid, I'll just keep searching and prioritizing my want list. I think this goes close to the top of the list. Drove it today and just didn't feel comfortable with it.
 
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Old Oct 12, 2013 | 06:44 AM
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Dunno know if it helps but when I was JY shopping for 150 springs I found that pre 97 springs were the closest match but they were about an inch longer overall and the pin was off by about 1.5" so the axle would not be centered in the wheel well.
 
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Old Oct 12, 2013 | 08:28 AM
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Originally Posted by John in Vegas
I have a 73 F250, 360 4sp, with a heavy camper on it. I think my 40 year old springs are shot and want to get some cheap replacements. when I'm looking in the pick a part, will the springs from newer trucks be interchangeable, and more importantly this is my camper truck, it will always have a heavy load on it, will 1ton springs fit under it? I don't need a Cadillac ride, stiff is fine, just don't like the rocking when going down the road.

Thanks

John,
There is a 78 f250 at the Henderson pic a part. I grabbed the axles out of it. I think the sway bar stuff is still there??

But for the springs, Call Randy over at Skip's Springs. He can make a pack or add a leaf for your load capacity. Might not be the cheapest route but he runs a good shop and knows his stuff.
 
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