78 F150 LWB 2wd
300 3 SPD 9" rear

Hey guys I'm looking for a way to upgrade to some stiffer springs on my truck. I don't like air bags for various reasons, I'd like to just go with new springs. I want a factory ride height although I would consider a lift as long as its less than 2". I forsee new coil springs judging by my tire wear and they are cheap so I may as well. So my questions are.

Is there a difference between F150 and F250 coil springs? How about F350 springs? And will they be a bolt in replacement on the TIB suspension? Is it even worth it since the front doesn't carry much weight depending on load placement?

Are there any physical differences on leaf springs between the F150 to the larger springs that would keep them from being a bolt on to the 9" without having to change shackles and frame mounts?

Is the frame suitable for these types of upgrades? Or should I just accept its a half ton truck with a half ton frame and suspension?

 

Front coil springs: Moog CC808 progressive rate.



Moog Cargo Control Coil Springs CC808 - Free Shipping on Orders Over $99 at Summit Racing

 

^^ Can't go wrong with Moog. Definitely one of the best companies out there when it comes to steering and suspension.

 

Not sure how I missed those lol. I'm assuming with the variable rate they ride like a factory spring?

 

With Moog, it will ride better than stock. NASCAR has used Moog forever. Very noticeable better handling and performance. If I had a 2wd truck, it would have a full steering and suspension from Moog. My 4wd has all Moog steering with the exception of the Spicer heavy duty ball joints (for the larger tires).

 

The coils are more loosely wound at the bottom and get tighter (closer together) as they go to the top.

On moderate road irregularities, the ride is pretty smooth. As rougher road surfaces are encountered, the spring compresses into the tighter wound portions and the spring rate becomes much stiffer.

My truck is a '69 F100 but it has the entire front suspension from a '77 F100 and a front sway bar from a '78 F250 CS.






I have stock '69 F100 rear leafs and a 1-1/8" rear sway bar from a '79 Bronco.

 

Are away bars really necessary? I always felt like my truck corners pretty flat even more so than my Dart. Or do the sway bars play more of a role in stability during hauling and towing vs empty?

 

A front anti-roll bar helps IMMENSELY since these rigs are nose-heavy and typically have 70-series front tires whose sidewalls flex. Handling improves significantly.

Do it.

 

If it were my truck, I would keep them. Even if it doesn't seem like they are doing much good, they are. I think they add value to a performance truck anyway.

 

My truck doesn't have any sway bars. I'm not building a performance truck, just a damn strong tow/haul rig

 

So the general consensus is moog progressive front springs and front and rear sway bars. What can I do for the back?

 

Sorry about that. I read a lot of these posts and this is the first time I got it mixed up with another one. Won't happen again, hopefully.

 

I think we've all done that before at one time or another lol!

 

My truck isn't a street terror. It (currently) just has a little 240 inline six under the hood.

Before I installed the Moog CC808 progressive front coils, new shocks and the (anti) sway bars on the front and rear, my truck had a lot of lean when going around curves. Not anymore.

The addition of sway bars will also greatly help control side-to-side wallow, when pulling a trailer.

 

Mine isn't a street terror either. But heck, it's waaaay more fun to drive now at a high level of confidence that the entire tire contact patch is working to keep the rig stuck to the road.