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 ?

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

What year is the truck ? 2wd or 4wd ?

 

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)

 

Thanks for the info, I'll work harder at posting correct.

 

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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......