1986 Bed not leveled.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
1986 Bed not leveled.
So the bed was a little un-leveled. I put 500 lbs of sand for traction in the bed and it is more pronounced, or I noticed it more.
The driverside is the lower side. It has 3 leafs in the spring pack and the passenger side has 4. Is this the only cause of this?
Can I just add a leaf to the driverside? I have no clue as to brand etc.. as previous owner dint mention it.
Thanks
Dave
The driverside is the lower side. It has 3 leafs in the spring pack and the passenger side has 4. Is this the only cause of this?
Can I just add a leaf to the driverside? I have no clue as to brand etc.. as previous owner dint mention it.
Thanks
Dave
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
You can add a leaf, certainly, although finding one to match the other side might be difficult. You might be better off taking the extra one off the passenger's side and then adding a matched pair if needed. Helper springs might be fairly easy to add and those that have adjustments might let you tune it.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,122
Likes: 0
From: Haysville, KS
Many of these trucks sit a bit lower on one side thanks to the side mounted gas tanks. Mine was due to a broken spring. The pin can also break, causing a leaf to shift and change the geometry.
My fix was to take it to a spring shop. They fixed my broken one and re-arched it and the other side. Ran me about $200 but well worth it
My fix was to take it to a spring shop. They fixed my broken one and re-arched it and the other side. Ran me about $200 but well worth it
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,122
Likes: 0
From: Haysville, KS
They of course do wear out over time, but it takes a while. I know that after mine were repaired and re-arched it rode and handled much better. If you have a local spring and axle shop, it might be worth talking to them.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
The new driveshaft place doesn't do springs.
Any ideas on a brand?
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,122
Likes: 0
From: Haysville, KS
No real thoughts on brand. Both NPD and LMC have them, although LMC is overpriced in my view. Others may have more input than I..
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Yeah I have ordered a few things from LMC and they are over priced. Ill keep my eyes open.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
I went to General Spring and they have great prices. I am not sure what the shipping will end up being, but I also might buy them through the local Auto Parts store. I spend a lot of money there and they usually order stuff and sell it to me with little or no mark-up. (always buy local if I can)
Dave
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
I looked and I have codes A and V. Where can I get a list of these codes for the replacement springs?
I went to General Spring and they have great prices. I am not sure what the shipping will end up being, but I also might buy them through the local Auto Parts store. I spend a lot of money there and they usually order stuff and sell it to me with little or no mark-up. (always buy local if I can)
Dave
I went to General Spring and they have great prices. I am not sure what the shipping will end up being, but I also might buy them through the local Auto Parts store. I spend a lot of money there and they usually order stuff and sell it to me with little or no mark-up. (always buy local if I can)
Dave
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
Gary, I'm not at home right now so I can't look, but I think the book will have separate listings for each year. IOW scroll down some and see if you can find stuff pertinent to 1986 and not 1981...