Notices
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Dentsides Ford Truck
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Moser

suspension ?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 3, 2016 | 12:33 PM
  #1  
Leef250's Avatar
Leef250
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
suspension ?

hi all, just wondering if it is possible, or easy and if anyone has done this or not. I want to upgrade my rear suspension and was thinking that maybe I could swap out my 250 springs for heavier 350 springs but leave the 250 springs up front. any ideas or comments or tips on how to go about that or easier and better to just add some add a leaf springs to the rear 250 springs ?
 
Reply
Old May 3, 2016 | 01:08 PM
  #2  
hickory1991's Avatar
hickory1991
Fleet Mechanic
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 42
From: Michigan
Club FTE Silver Member

Your local spring shop should be able to beef up your 250 springs to 1 ton fairly reasonable. I had it done years ago to an 83 f-250 that I had.
 
Reply
Old May 3, 2016 | 02:29 PM
  #3  
PapaJdub's Avatar
PapaJdub
New User
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Bellingham Wa.
Hi Guy's, I just purchased an F-150 2016 XLT V8/4x4 w/ trailer sway control, trailer tow package, integrated trailer brakes with a GVWR# 6400 package. The actual leaf springs, being only 3 dosn't appear right to me. Is it possible I may need some "over load" help in the future? If so I'm thinking air bags maybe. I'm trying to be ready for that lucky moment when I get the boat of my dreams. I love the highway ride of this truck and would hate to ruin it.
 
Reply
Old May 3, 2016 | 05:49 PM
  #4  
Blue and White's Avatar
Blue and White
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,553
Likes: 10
The standard F250 springs ride well IMO. With overloads or a beefed spring pack, ride empty will be harsh. I ditched my overloads for that reason. Best of both worlds would be air bags. If you want to do it with springs, agree a local spring shop is the best bet. They can add a leaf or two at reasonable cost.

For towing heavy with a new 1/2 ton, I think a weight distributing hitch would be at the top of the list to shift some weight off the rear axle and onto the front. With that OE springs should be OK. Too much weight on the rear will fail the axle plus it will handle better with the WD hitch.
 
Reply
Old May 3, 2016 | 11:01 PM
  #5  
mark a.'s Avatar
mark a.
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,922
Likes: 152
What year is the truck ? 2wd or 4wd ?
 
Reply
Old May 4, 2016 | 12:10 PM
  #6  
jbehuniak's Avatar
jbehuniak
Elder User
Veteran: Army
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 687
Likes: 4
From: CT
Originally Posted by PapaJdub
Hi Guy's, I just purchased an F-150 2016 XLT V8/4x4 w/ trailer sway control, trailer tow package, integrated trailer brakes with a GVWR# 6400 package. The actual leaf springs, being only 3 dosn't appear right to me. Is it possible I may need some "over load" help in the future? If so I'm thinking air bags maybe. I'm trying to be ready for that lucky moment when I get the boat of my dreams. I love the highway ride of this truck and would hate to ruin it.


New trucks will do fine with the stock spring pack, they are progressive to maintain a car like ride and still work like a truck. To maintain proper ride height airbags could help, but the best option is to figure out which height (higher/lower) tow hitch balances the load the best.
If the nose is too high/low your trailer will sway a lot loaded to the max and empty and is dangerous.
The hitch can be installed with the drop down or up, just orient the ball so it is always up. Walmart, Tractor Supply, Lowes, Home Depot all sell the hitches.
Making sure the trailer is levelish is best. It will not ruin the springs on your truck and is SAFE


And so you know you're posting in the Dentside forum. Its not a problem but its for 1973?-79 pickups. Theres a forum for your year. Happy towing (theres also a towing forum)
 
Reply
Old May 4, 2016 | 12:14 PM
  #7  
PapaJdub's Avatar
PapaJdub
New User
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Bellingham Wa.
Thanks for the info, I'll work harder at posting correct.
 
Reply
Old May 4, 2016 | 12:23 PM
  #8  
jbehuniak's Avatar
jbehuniak
Elder User
Veteran: Army
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 687
Likes: 4
From: CT
2015+ F150 - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
new trucks forum


Flatbed, Car, Boat, Utility, Horse & Misc. Trailer Towing - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
boat towing forum


The dentside is a fun forum to read, you may just like it here so much you get yourself one!!! I have learned by reading at work for hours at a time. I work in aftermarket support for aviation and reading some of the corrosion fixes, truck builds etc had actually helped me so its sorta like I'm working while enjoying great build threads......
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
TrailKroozr
2009 - 2014 F150
7
Mar 25, 2017 10:59 AM
lostonmonday
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Jun 28, 2013 01:59 AM
mustangmaster68
2004 - 2008 F150
2
Mar 26, 2011 09:17 PM
Carolina Sorillo
Brakes, Steering, Suspension, Tires, & Wheels
1
Nov 29, 2010 07:38 AM
X-70STANG-F150
Excursion - King of SUVs
6
May 2, 2008 06:02 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:55 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE