I wonder if you could all give me some advice

Ive got an 89 f250 2wd light duty. My baby has been in the family since new, since ive had it ive done lots upgrades, repairs etc. In my younger days it was all toy but nowadays it makes me money too. Over the years I've noticed shes had a harder and harder time with heavy loads and now its at the point where its just getting sad, and im tired of hearing how my inlaws half ton chevy can out haul my 3/4 ton.

Im interested in swapping out my original rear leaf springs which there are only 3 leaves and if I put my 650 lb atv in the back she sags bad and if I put a load of bark mulch in the back for work it practically scrapes the ground.

What would your suggestions be? i thought about getting springs off a 350 but i dont waant to raise the back end too much cause then itll look to goofy and as much as i want it to haul I still want it to look good. How big of a leaf pack should I look at getting?

Also if I swap the springs do I need to get an alignment on the rear end? I've done lots of work on vehicles over the years but Ive never done springs.

Thanks for any help you give me!!!!

 

No alignment will be needed for your rear axle. My suggestion is to swap in some fresh springs with a higher weight rating and look into some helper air bags.

 

Awesome thanks I was thinking of the airbag route if new springs didn't totally solve it

 

I made my 90 F150 a 5pack and added an overload spring on top. It only raised it about an inch and rides the same. I made my 89 F250 a 7pack. It raised it 1 1/2" and rides rough but I haul stupid heavy loads and don't care about the ride quality.

 

Awesome that sounds pretty good. Also if I get springs from a local wrecker would you recommend new hardware and bushings and shackles etc???

 

Absolutely. New bushings and hardware is a must. Chances are they will take them off with a smokewrench so all that will be toast! And you may have to do the same.

 

Great thanks!!! I kinda figured that