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1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

Helper leaf spring question

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Old May 22, 2015 | 10:55 AM
  #31  
nezwick's Avatar
nezwick
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Mountain Pass
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Here is a picture I took yesterday showing the truck's stance. Keep in mind it still has the worn out original front springs/shocks. It has a little bit of a rake but with a little weight in the bed and/or a trailer, it will probably settle a bit.



 
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Old May 22, 2015 | 11:12 AM
  #32  
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nwjones18
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Originally Posted by nezwick
This product seems WAY more legit than the thing I had originally bought, which only clamped to the back half of the spring. I didn't really understand how they would be effective without putting undue stress on the front half of the springs. That's another reason I sent them back in order to pursue different options.
I put a set of these on a 99 E-150 conversion van we have that is constantly loaded heavily with people and stuff. Raised the back of the van around 2in and it rides much better now and doesn't sag when heavy or towing a trailer.
 
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Old May 22, 2015 | 12:56 PM
  #33  
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Stevaroo01
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Originally Posted by nezwick
I bought the 43-695HD (6+1) springs. It's the biggest pack you can get from them. If you're looking for something more in line with the average person's definition of a "good ride" then it may be worth looking into a slightly less crazy pack of springs. It's all about personal preference - I prefer a stiffer ride. On country back roads in poor condition, yes it rides pretty rough. But in my experience doing day-to-day running so far, it rides much better than the worn out originals (3+1).


Ford F150 Truck 4wd Leaf Spring, Ford F250 Truck 2wd,4wd Leaf Spring, Ford F250 Truck 2wd,4wd Leaf Spring (over 8500 Lbs), Ford F350 Truck 2wd,4wd Leaf Spring, Ford F350 Cab/Chassis Truck Leaf Spring (with S/R/Wheels), Rear HD


I would recommend removing your factory lift blocks if you go with the HD springs. The rear of mine stuck up WAY too high with the blocks in place.
Thank you! I appreciate the link. I don't know if I'll go for the HD springs or something closer to stock. I've been contemplating adding a helper kit or just adding a leaf. But most of the suspension on my truck was pretty tired when I got it. So, the front has all new stuff in it now. I have new shocks for the back, so adding new leaf springs would be the last piece of the puzzle. It almost seams a shame to leave that old with everything else new.

I doubt very much that I'll be doing anything too crazy with my truck (it's just a 2wd 6cyl), so I may forgo the HD springs and keep it close to original. I also don't want the butt to sit too high in the air. I'd like to keep it close to level. My new front springs raised the front a bit, so hopefully new rear leafs will get it back to roughly stock height which should get the truck close to level.

Anyway, thanks for the info and the link! That will be very helpful!!
 
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Old Jun 18, 2015 | 08:11 AM
  #34  
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nezwick
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Mountain Pass
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I took some scrap metal today and my "empty" weight was 5040. Subtract my 140lbs and that makes my truck's weight (with toolboxes and ladder rack) 4900. With 6250 GVWR, my legal payload is 1350.

Probably not a "certified" scale, but it's close enough to satisfy my curiosity. I got $12 for the scrap metal instead of spending more than that to get weighed at the truck stop.
 
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