Leaf springs
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Canada
Leaf springs
Ok, I was talking in a completly unrelated post about this so I am going to explain it so that some people can help me here.
For starters I am having a serious problem with putting anything in my bed...I can push down with my hand and the back end goes down quite nice (I'm not really THAT strong
)
Now, I took a look and didn't see any broken leafs...but I did take a look and find some other broken stuff and have not the first clue who needs to fix it...a suspension shop or a body shop? were talking rotted broken. Anyway I didn't want to stick the 7 pics I did on this page so I am putting a link right below here take a look and remember my goal is to be cost efficient but I hate fixing something then having it go again, also remember junk yards around here are full of trucks like mine...and even rustier ones mostly. So here we go. take a look and leave some advice!
Thanks,
CK
Click here to see my rear end :-)
For starters I am having a serious problem with putting anything in my bed...I can push down with my hand and the back end goes down quite nice (I'm not really THAT strong
) Now, I took a look and didn't see any broken leafs...but I did take a look and find some other broken stuff and have not the first clue who needs to fix it...a suspension shop or a body shop? were talking rotted broken. Anyway I didn't want to stick the 7 pics I did on this page so I am putting a link right below here take a look and remember my goal is to be cost efficient but I hate fixing something then having it go again, also remember junk yards around here are full of trucks like mine...and even rustier ones mostly. So here we go. take a look and leave some advice!
Thanks,
CK
Click here to see my rear end :-)
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
Leaf springs
The last picture and second pic show what looks like an old tail pipe hanger, obviously not used anymore.
Pic #4 shows a fender support rod that has come loose from the bed. This kept the lower edge of the fender from waving in the breeze.
pics #5 &6 just show some normal looking springs. The spring leaves will crack right over the top of the axle and can only be seen by close examination. Pics #1&2 also show some leaves that are showing a bit of separation that would lead me to suspect they are broken. But it may be the light or the angle...
-Otherwise it looks like a Fine Old Rusty Dodge to me
Pic #4 shows a fender support rod that has come loose from the bed. This kept the lower edge of the fender from waving in the breeze.
pics #5 &6 just show some normal looking springs. The spring leaves will crack right over the top of the axle and can only be seen by close examination. Pics #1&2 also show some leaves that are showing a bit of separation that would lead me to suspect they are broken. But it may be the light or the angle...
-Otherwise it looks like a Fine Old Rusty Dodge to me
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,613
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From: Gainesville, FL
Leaf springs
Chad,
I had a 76 F100 that had no *** to it.
I added some springs, not all, from a 1 ton pickup (military) and it solved that problem.
Go to the junkyard and scavenge some 250 or 350 springs and add them. you'll be thrilled.
When you start mixing, make sure your matching. make the same change on both sides. Inspect the existing springs you plan on reusing. Sand the rust off your springs and paint them. If you can afford it have them Shot Peened and then painted. This is the best way to protect them.
KingFisher
I had a 76 F100 that had no *** to it.
I added some springs, not all, from a 1 ton pickup (military) and it solved that problem.
Go to the junkyard and scavenge some 250 or 350 springs and add them. you'll be thrilled.
When you start mixing, make sure your matching. make the same change on both sides. Inspect the existing springs you plan on reusing. Sand the rust off your springs and paint them. If you can afford it have them Shot Peened and then painted. This is the best way to protect them.
KingFisher
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From: Canada
Leaf springs
Rusty ol' Dodge eh!!!!!
Guess pic #4 explains why I need 2 people to close tail gate, and why I Dont leave it open anymore
pic #1,2 show how they are open a fair bit which is what I suspected might not be normal.
dfisher: I cant do springs myself I am assuming I'm going to need more then just my socket set. The other concern I have is that they are all going to be just as rotted as mine. Are new leafs feasible or is that a mucho $$ sort of job to have done?
and Torque: How do I fix that rotted off piece in pic 4. Do I take it to a body shop to have them replace it or ? Would be something I'm going to add to my list of "fix when you get the chance"
Or maybe I'll just wait till we go on vacation in my moms new motorhome she got...and pick up a truck while I'm down south lol. Wishful thinking.
Thanks!
Chado.
Guess pic #4 explains why I need 2 people to close tail gate, and why I Dont leave it open anymore
pic #1,2 show how they are open a fair bit which is what I suspected might not be normal.
dfisher: I cant do springs myself I am assuming I'm going to need more then just my socket set. The other concern I have is that they are all going to be just as rotted as mine. Are new leafs feasible or is that a mucho $$ sort of job to have done?
and Torque: How do I fix that rotted off piece in pic 4. Do I take it to a body shop to have them replace it or ? Would be something I'm going to add to my list of "fix when you get the chance"
Or maybe I'll just wait till we go on vacation in my moms new motorhome she got...and pick up a truck while I'm down south lol. Wishful thinking.
Thanks!
Chado.
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 760
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From: Boise, ID
Leaf springs
Chado, for what it's worth here are my observations....
Pic#1&2- I only count 4 leafs. There should be 5. Perhaps you have F-100 leafs under there??? That would definetely explain your load capacity problem.
Pic#3&6- Looks like a broken off exhaust hanger like Torque said. Nothing to worry about there. Just pull em off.
Pic#4- Appears to be a bedside suport rod that rotted/broke out from the bed spar support. That's an easy fix for someone with a welder. I'll bet a body shop could weld it up so you could bolt the support back on for around $50.
Parts trucks are nice to have but so far I haven't seen anything that you would need one for. A little welding here, a little cleaning there and you're in business. You could have a new set of springs made for probably around $250-$300. I paid $300 for my rear leafs that lift my truck 6" with removing the stock blocks.
However, I'm having a tough time understanding how what is seen in pic #4 relates to your rough closing tailgate. Am I missing something? With the info at hand I doubt the two are related.
Pic#1&2- I only count 4 leafs. There should be 5. Perhaps you have F-100 leafs under there??? That would definetely explain your load capacity problem.
Pic#3&6- Looks like a broken off exhaust hanger like Torque said. Nothing to worry about there. Just pull em off.
Pic#4- Appears to be a bedside suport rod that rotted/broke out from the bed spar support. That's an easy fix for someone with a welder. I'll bet a body shop could weld it up so you could bolt the support back on for around $50.
Parts trucks are nice to have but so far I haven't seen anything that you would need one for. A little welding here, a little cleaning there and you're in business. You could have a new set of springs made for probably around $250-$300. I paid $300 for my rear leafs that lift my truck 6" with removing the stock blocks.
However, I'm having a tough time understanding how what is seen in pic #4 relates to your rough closing tailgate. Am I missing something? With the info at hand I doubt the two are related.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
Leaf springs
A spring shop can replace your springs quicker than you can jack the truck up... Look in the yellow pages and find a local shop that will R&R yours and repair as required. If you have more than one broken leaf in a pack they will generally not rebuild yours, they will replace them.
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From: Canada
Leaf springs
Thanks guys
77mudder: The tailgate not closing is because the box sides are hanging way out to the sides. In other words someone has to push on the one side while I push on the other side and close it. I thought maybe because the box side is broke they weren't lining anymore. (And that side flaps a bit in the wind) I previously blamed it on bad welds when they replaced the box sides (po did a "resto" in 98)
Chado
77mudder: The tailgate not closing is because the box sides are hanging way out to the sides. In other words someone has to push on the one side while I push on the other side and close it. I thought maybe because the box side is broke they weren't lining anymore. (And that side flaps a bit in the wind) I previously blamed it on bad welds when they replaced the box sides (po did a "resto" in 98)
Chado
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 760
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From: Boise, ID
Leaf springs
Nah that little support rod wouldn't have anything to do with your tailgate. It sounds like that PO did a crappy job of getting everything lined up when the bedsides went on.
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