Notices
Offroad & 4x4
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

leaf sprung ttb?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 15, 2013 | 11:19 PM
  #1  
75Three90's Avatar
75Three90
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,452
Likes: 2
From: Santa Fe Tx
leaf sprung ttb?

I just bought a 1989 f250 with a leaf spring ttb. How reliable is this set up? What kind of performance can I expect from it. I wheel at the beach mostly or through cattle pastures with horses. So Is this setup going to work fine for me? I have to rebuild my motor so now is the time to think about a sas. If so what would I need?
 
Reply
Old Dec 16, 2013 | 06:01 AM
  #2  
monsterbaby's Avatar
monsterbaby
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 18,423
Likes: 9
From: iowa
Many will tell you the only choice is to do a SAS. But the honest truth is the old TTB will work just fine for 99% of the people doing light to moderate wheeling (and will work better then a solid axle in some other types but requires a lot of work) biggest killer would be WAY oversized tires.

Basically not everyone needs a D60 SAS.

Only thing is, bushings are prone to wearing out and causing problems. So buy new pivot bushings at a min, and then check all the rest of the components like ball joints and tie rods (which you would do on an SAS anyway)
 
Reply
Old Dec 16, 2013 | 06:35 AM
  #3  
77mud's Avatar
77mud
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,005
Likes: 2
I agree with Rob unless you plan on wheeling the crap out of it with 38's then just check the bushings replace as necessary and save some money.
 
Reply
Old Dec 16, 2013 | 07:37 AM
  #4  
tjc transport's Avatar
tjc transport
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,568
Likes: 5,603
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
Club FTE Gold Member
and pay close attention to the driver side axle tube where it meets the spring. they like to crack there.
 
Reply
Old Dec 16, 2013 | 08:16 AM
  #5  
nojoke327's Avatar
nojoke327
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,247
Likes: 3
From: monroe ct
What is ttb and sas? I'm thinking sas is solid axle swap
 
Reply
Old Dec 16, 2013 | 09:31 AM
  #6  
tjc transport's Avatar
tjc transport
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,568
Likes: 5,603
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
Club FTE Gold Member
TTB= Twin Traction Beam. that is another name for Independent Front Suspension 4X4 on the F-150 and F-250

SAS = Solid Axle Suspension or Dana 60 front axle swap.
 
Reply
Old Dec 16, 2013 | 12:22 PM
  #7  
75Three90's Avatar
75Three90
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,452
Likes: 2
From: Santa Fe Tx
Thanks fellas. I figured since the truck is down I might as well address that issue. The biggest tires I run are 33's and that's it now a days
 
Reply
Old Dec 16, 2013 | 12:33 PM
  #8  
nojoke327's Avatar
nojoke327
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,247
Likes: 3
From: monroe ct
Originally Posted by tjc transport
TTB= Twin Traction Beam. that is another name for Independent Front Suspension 4X4 on the F-150 and F-250

SAS = Solid Axle Suspension or Dana 60 front axle swap.

Thanks
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Dec 16, 2013 | 03:24 PM
  #9  
kjett's Avatar
kjett
Post Fiend
20 Year Member
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,121
Likes: 1
From: Springfield, VA
Originally Posted by tjc transport
TTT= Twin Traction Beam. that is another name for Independent Front Suspension 4X4 on the F-150 and F-250 SAS = Solid Axle Suspension or Dana 60 front axle swap.
Hey old guy!

TTT= beats the crap out of me

TTB however = Twin Traction Beam
 
Reply
Old Dec 16, 2013 | 03:36 PM
  #10  
75Three90's Avatar
75Three90
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,452
Likes: 2
From: Santa Fe Tx
I just got done checking out my front end and everything looks great all the ball joints tie rod ends have no cracked rubber and all the knuckles are tight with no slack.
 
Reply
Old Dec 16, 2013 | 03:59 PM
  #11  
tjc transport's Avatar
tjc transport
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,568
Likes: 5,603
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by kjett
Hey old guy!

TTT= beats the crap out of me

TTB however = Twin Traction Beam

stop trying to make me look old and senile ya young whippersnapper!!



















i am quite capable of doing that myself.
 
Reply
Old Dec 16, 2013 | 04:02 PM
  #12  
75Three90's Avatar
75Three90
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,452
Likes: 2
From: Santa Fe Tx
Lmfao........
 
Reply
Old Jan 1, 2014 | 04:15 PM
  #13  
Nothing Special's Avatar
Nothing Special
Lead Driver
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,006
Likes: 72
From: Roseville, MN
The leaf sprung TTB is pretty stiff so it doesn't ride particularly well and doesn't articulate much. The beam makes the wheel swing in and out as it goes up and down and the spring leaf makes it swing forward and back as it goes up and down. These two actions fight each other so the spring has to bend and flex in odd ways as the tire moves up and down.

That said, if you're OK with the ride it's not a bad setup.
 
Reply
Old Jan 1, 2014 | 05:10 PM
  #14  
75Three90's Avatar
75Three90
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,452
Likes: 2
From: Santa Fe Tx
Before the motor went bad I was wheeling at the beach and it did great. I pulled out a 2wd ford buried to the axle then I drove into his ruts sat there a second let out the clutch and out she same. I was able to do what ever I wanted with it and I thoroughly enjoyed it. As far as driving around town it rode like any other 3/4 ton or 1 ton I've had.I've never had a 3/4 ton or 1 ton 4x4 and now that I own one there's no way I'll go back to a 1/2 ton daily driver.
 
Reply
Old Jan 1, 2014 | 06:18 PM
  #15  
projectnitemare's Avatar
projectnitemare
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 984
Likes: 8
Originally Posted by Nothing Special
The leaf sprung TTB is pretty stiff so it doesn't ride particularly well and doesn't articulate much. The beam makes the wheel swing in and out as it goes up and down and the spring leaf makes it swing forward and back as it goes up and down. These two actions fight each other so the spring has to bend and flex in odd ways as the tire moves up and down.

That said, if you're OK with the ride it's not a bad setup.

Exactly right. It's not the best setup but it works ok. If you are going to lift it at all save the headache and swap a solid axle.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:15 PM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE