There's a few threads on this topic floating around, but they're hard to find. I created this thread to add visibility and provide a couple options. This is applicable to at least some RWD F-body and Bronco (1994 - 97 based on what I found). I don't think it applies to 4WD.

This applies to "some" RWD trucks with 2.5" wide springs.

For some model years, Ford used a 1.78" OD bushing in the forward position of the (rear) leaf spring. According to the internet, this applies to RWD 1994 - 97 F-bodies and Broncos. I'm not sure if it applies to ALL trucks of that description / era. The other bushing size that Ford used is 1-11/16" OD (1.69"). Apparently, the 1-11/16" bushing was used on MOST RWD F-body / Broncos over multiple generations. The 1-11/16" OD bushing is commonly available at the parts store, but the 1.78" OD bushing is NOT.

I ran into this issue over the weekend with a RWD 1995 F150 4.9L 5-speed regular cab long-bed [pardon the description, just adding keywords].

DIRECT REPLACEMENT

The FORD part number for the 1.78" bushing is F4TZ-5781-B. It appears to still be available.[EDIT 2019-10-29] Per @NumberDummy 's post below, the Ford part is not available. I found references a couple NOS Ford bushings on eBay, but the online Ford dealers didn't have any in stock.

The direct-replacement aftermarket is from Dayton, and its part number is RB-229. I've only found it available on RockAuto. It didn't cross-reference at the four major parts stores and I didn't find it on Amazon.
[EDIT 2019-10-29] The RB-229 has an overall length of 3.5 inches, which is too long to fit in the spring hanger. This is NOT a direct replacement.

According to another thread, a bushing with part number MR-704 is also a direct replacement. I was unable to find any references to it online. The poster on the thread where I found the reference said it came from an industrial spring rebuilder.

REPLACEMENT - DIFFERENT APPLICATION

I previously installed Moog SB351 in lieu of the correct bushing. The SB351 is a direct fit for various Chevy / GMC trucks and SUVs (e.g. Chevy C10 1975 - 1986). The full list of compatible vehicles can be found on Moog's website. This bushing is 1.76" OD and is a press-fit. One issue is the inner (bolt) sleeve is serrated on the ends, whereas the correct Ford bushing is not. I ended up grinding the serrations off and fitting two hardened washers between the bushing and the hanger. Not sure if that was totally necessary, but that's what I did. The inner sleeve is also marginally shorter than the correct bushing, but the washers I used took up the gap.

The downside to SB351 is that is not commonly available at parts stores. I don't know if it cross-references to something that is commonly available.

Another downside is SB351 has a lip around one side. This makes it basically impossible to press it out later, because the lip covers the face of the spring eye and you can't get a receiving cup to accept the bushing as it's being pressed out. I ended up setting the spring on jackstands and a tire so the end was free and beating the bushing out.

ALTERNATIVE REPLACEMENT - MOOG SB340

The parts store will come up with a Moog SB340 (or equivalent) for the leaf spring forward bushing. The Moog SB340 has an OD of 1-11/16". This is the direct replacement for some (most?) 2WD truck / Bronco applications. I'm not sure if it works for some 94 - 97 RWD F-bodies and Broncos. But it's obviously too small if you need the 1.78" OD bushing.

Note: Moog SB340 is equivalent to Ford E4TZ-5781. Ford E4TZ-5781 is NOT equivalent to Ford F4TZ-5781-B.

I had to use the SB340 bushing over the weekend because I couldn't wait for one of the options above to get delivered. I can't take credit for the following -- I found it on another thread on another website. But that poster never confirmed that it worked; he only described it as his plan. I'd like to share that the following approach works.

I purchased a 1.75" OD / 1.63" ID (i.e. 1-3/4 x 1-5/8) straight exhaust connector from the parts store for about $3. The connector doesn't have a bell end... it's just straight tubing. I used the exhaust connector as a sleeve between the bushing OD and the ID of the spring eye (and I'll call it a sleeve from now on). The OD was slightly larger than the ID of the spring eye, so it had to be pressed in. The sleeve ID was slightly larger than the OD of SB340.

I set the spring up on my press, put the sleeve on top of the eye, and dropped the SB340 bushing into the center. Then I carefully pressed the sleeve into the spring. The ID of the spring compressed the OD of the sleeve and the OD of the bushing supported the ID of the sleeve so it wouldn't buckle. After pressing it all together, the bushing was locked tightly into the sleeve and the sleeve was locked tightly into the spring eye. Then I cut off the excess sleeve and proceeded to reinstall the spring.

[EDIT 2019-10-29] The bushing slipped inside the sleeve after a few weeks. The leaf spring ended up sliding towards the frame-side of the hanger. Thicker-wall tubing might have prevented this.

REMOVING OLD BUSHINGS

This is probably common knowledge, but I'll include it here. There is a small gap between the spring eye and the leaf spring where it's wrapped around. The gap allows you to put a hacksaw (or sawzall) in it and cut through the outer metal shell of the bushing. This makes it much easier to remove the bushing. I was able to knock the old bushing out with a large punch and about 5 blows from a 4 lb hammer after cutting through the sleeve. Before, I had beat on it for about 30 minutes and the bushing didn't move. I would have preferred to use my press, but as previously said, the lip on the SB351 I'd previously installed didn't have clearance with the receiving cup.

[EDIT 2019-10-29] Deleted picture because it did not work; see above.

---------------------- 2019-10-29 UPDATE ----------------------

I ordered the bushing linked below by @ATS Junior but it was not correct for my application. Note that this bushing is cross-referenced to RB-229. The outside diameter is correct, but the length is 3.5 inches -- and I needed a length of 3.0 inches. I ended up cutting 0.25" off each end and then grinding with a flap wheel until the bushing fit into the hanger.

So here's my final conclusion --> It seems that a direct replacement for this bushing is impossible to find! Moog SB351 is the easiest one to deal with. If anyone were to ask me, that would be my recommendation.

 

Nice write up! If you ever need the direct replacement option we have plenty of them:

https://www.autoandtrucksprings.com/...g-rb229/#tab-2

 

Thanks. I was scrambling to make this work so the truck was usable for Monday.

I notice the picture on your website shows serrations on the bolt sleeve, so it seems I didn't need to grind them off the SB351 when I used it before. Can you confirm serrations are okay?

 

Ford dealer online parts catalog sez: "Discontinued Product, no longer available for purchase."

 

Should be fine. Never had issues on our end. The picture exaggerates serrations a little. Don’t get me wrong, they’re there but not as extreme as the picture shows.

 

3.50” Over All Length should be correct. You have a 3” wide leaf spring and .25” will stick out on either side so you’re not having metal on metal contact with the spring eye.

Grinding the bushing down to 3” will still work but you may get noise from it.

 

My truck is RWD and has 2.5-inch springs... hence the issue.

Thank you for following the thread though!

 

Yup! That'll do it! Different width. Must have overlooked that in your write up.

 

Is the smaller 3 inch bushing just for the half ton trucks?

 

1980-1996 F100 and F150 2wd models had the 2.50" wide leaf spring with bushings of 3" OAL (over all length).

 

Do you still have lots of these larger bushings in-stock? Do you ship to Canada or do you have a distributor with stock in Canada?

I just discovered this issue this weekend. I had purchased Moog SB344 bushings months ago in preparation for this job and never thought to research if they fit or not lol. Moog lists them as fitting 1980-1996. The truck is a 1980, but it's on a 1995 chassis.

 

If it's a RWD chassis and Moog SB340 bushing doesn't fit I would recommend the Moog SB351. They're on Amazon for about $16 US. If I remember correctly, @ATS Junior doesn't have the right size for this uncommon RWD application (no one does apparently). The bushing they have is 0.5" too long overall. The SB351 works though. It might not be clear from my (edited) OP but that's what I ended up using... 3 times.

PM me if you can't find SB351 up there and I will order and ship to you at my cost. Good luck, eh?

 

Oh my bad, I should have mentioned that it is a 1995 4x4 chassis, so the correct bushing has a 3" shell, and 3.5" center sleeve. I ordered the Moog SB344, which is listed as fitting 1980-1996, but it looks like it only fits 1980-1993. The ATS RB-229 should be perfectly fine, but with the shipping and exchange and tax they'll end up costing me around $180 CDN. That's fine if I have no other choice, but I am going to at least check with the local spring shops tomorrow to see if they have the correct size.

Worst case scenario I can swap out the main leafs for a 1980-1993 set that the common bushings fit (like the ones I already purchased).

 

I see the RB229 on ATS for $33 free shipping (US).

I think I ordered 2X RB229... I will check in garage and if I find it you can have it for $0 plus $0 shipping. I'll follow up by Tuesday.

 

Yes, you guys get great deals on shipping in the US. The cheapest shipping option on the website for me is almost $50 USD.

If you have a set, I'm interested, sure.