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Hey y'all! New to the forums, recently bought a 4x4 '12 F250 and the leaf springs are sagging badly.
Will HD leaf springs, like 5/1 springs from SDTrucksprings.com, raise or lower my rear end? I believe they're almost an inch less in arch thickness than my OEM leaves so I'm a bit worried.
Hey y'all! New to the forums, recently bought a 4x4 '12 F250 and the leaf springs are sagging badly.
Will HD leaf springs, like 5/1 springs from SDTrucksprings.com, raise or lower my rear end? I believe they're almost an inch less in arch thickness than my OEM leaves so I'm a bit worried.
As you can see I did a little work here to show you there are many different springs and I believe that Ford has many more for our trucks. The best thing to do is grab the spring code to see what springs you have so you can see the specs on them. Call a Ford dealer to find out. What I would do is get ahold of a local spring shop to pick their brains and ask them what would be best for you given what you want. JMHO. Years back, one of the main springs broke on one of my rear springs in my 96. I talked to a local shop about my options, decided what I wanted, made an appt and I had new springs. I believe the ones I got were rated a little higher than what I had because I had a F250. The truck also had a Dana 60 SAS. So after that, it was essentially set up as HD F350.
2008 - 2016 F250, F350SD 2WD and 4WD Single or dual rear wheels Chassis Cabs 43-1699HDHvy *3 **25.5 ***30.25 ****10 *****5.38 ******4.5 *******5400
2008 - 2016 F250, F350SD, F450 2WD and 4WD Except with helper; Two stage 43-1717Std *3 **33.19 ***33.19 ****3 *****6 ******2.31 *******3700
2008 - 2016 F250, F350SD, F450 2WD and 4WD Except with helper; Two stage 43-1717HDHvy *3 **33.19 ***33.19 ****6 *****5.75 ******3.81 *******6800
2008 - 2016 F250, F350SD, F450 2WD and 4WD Except with helper; Two stage 43-1681Std *3 **33.19 ***33.19 ****5 *****6 ******3 *******3000
2008 - 2016 F250, F350SD, F450 2WD and 4WD Except with helper; Two stage 43-1681HDHvy *3 **33.19 ***33.19 ****6 *****5.75 ******3.31 *******4400
Those are exactly what I'm looking to get but asking a shop to make them also sounds like a very viable option.
I was really expecting a yes or no answer, THANK you so much for all of that information. I tried to look up the info myself before asking here and couldn't find that table.
From the information you've gathered, It seems like GeneralSprings and SDSprings make them fit within OEM specs so there should be no issues, maybe unloaded the rear will sit a little higher than stock.
I have F rated rear springs as well.
All the measurements spec out, I'll let you know, sir, and post some pictures. I'm in the process of replacing the shocks, leaf springs, coil springs because they're all worn out pretty bad!
I've got an 02 f-250 and ended up going with HD ATS springs basically a 1-ton spring to prevent sag in the future & love them.
Sold me the springs that where an OEM match along with all the hardware and shackles to make the job easier.
Its an additional 1" raise of OEM but mine where really far gone so it ended up raising mine about 2.5" above the old sagging ones.
As for install that was an absolute pain the the butt, but I''m not sure if your paying to have them installed or doing it yourself.
All try and find some pictures of before & after if I still have them.
Those are exactly what I'm looking to get but asking a shop to make them also sounds like a very viable option.
I was really expecting a yes or no answer, THANK you so much for all of that information. I tried to look up the info myself before asking here and couldn't find that table.
From the information you've gathered, It seems like GeneralSprings and SDSprings make them fit within OEM specs so there should be no issues, maybe unloaded the rear will sit a little higher than stock.
I have F rated rear springs as well.
All the measurements spec out, I'll let you know, sir, and post some pictures. I'm in the process of replacing the shocks, leaf springs, coil springs because they're all worn out pretty bad!
No problem. Just trying to help out a new member here. Welcome to the forum. I'm sure others will chime in. Definitely post pics.
Originally Posted by reptar0077
I've got an 02 f-250 and ended up going with HD ATS springs basically a 1-ton spring to prevent sag in the future & love them.
Sold me the springs that where an OEM match along with all the hardware and shackles to make the job easier.
Its an additional 1" raise of OEM but mine where really far gone so it ended up raising mine about 2.5" above the old sagging ones.
As for install that was an absolute pain the the butt, but I''m not sure if your paying to have them installed or doing it yourself.
All try and find some pictures of before & after if I still have them.
Front HD Springs 03 F-250
You only have two leafs per spring. When I was still running the stock POS Dana 50 in front on my 96 F250, I had a 2 leaf AAL kit installed. From what I recalled, the 50 rode better because of the TTB set up. Once the kingpin 60 went in, the honeymoon was over. That thing rode horrible with the straight axle without my 8 foot plow on. I hear the newer body style Super Duty springs were supposed to be smoother than the OBSs because they are longer. But all I know is the coil sprung, radius arm front ends of the new Super Dutys ride a whole helluva lot better than my 96. I believe that some aftermarket companies sold Super Duty front spring front shackle mount conversion kits for the OBS trucks. I could be wrong. I'm just glad I don't have front leaf springs anymore. Good luck with your truck.
Depends on what your stock setup is. Normally though when our customers go with the 43-1681HD they will gain a little height over factory spec height. The spring will normally have a slightly lower arch then a factory option but the heavier capacity will get it some lift. Nothing crazy, maybe like an inch or so. All depends on what you have currently.
Just ordered the 5/1 leaves from SD springs and all the other parts I'm replacing. Going with new front and rear springs, shocks, a bunch of work I'll post pictures when it's all done!
Look at ANY '11-16 from a distance and you can accurately call F250 or 350 from the stance (I'm mostly talking 4wd - I don't really even notice 2wd and there aren't many in Colo anyhow).
F250 is level best case, sagging if there's much weight in the bed.
I was impressed with the rear springs in both my '08 F350 V10 ECLB and my present '11 F350 6.2 CCLB FX4 --- and that's saying A LOT because I've added leafs to almost every truck I've ever owned, including an '05 Canyon, '02 Silverado, '95 F250 and '97 F250 CCSB 7.3
I realize there are different spring codes, but I'm not kidding: just start watching SuperDuties around town and you'll be able to call 250 or 350 before you can read the badge.
Also, leafs are beautiful things in that they're easily manipulated and modified. You can get a second pack from a similar truck and mix 'n match as you choose. Add the longest leafs you can for best load capacity and ride quality. You'll only need a new center pin (easily made from a standard Gr8 bolt) and new u-bolts (easily obtained from a local spring shop or order online at Alcan)
And please, trim those u-bolts at the nuts so they're not dragging the ground. Nothing says "a 16 year old built my truck" like u-bolts running wild.
Look at ANY '11-16 from a distance and you can accurately call F250 or 350 from the stance (I'm mostly talking 4wd - I don't really even notice 2wd and there aren't many in Colo anyhow).
F250 is level best case, sagging if there's much weight in the bed.
I was impressed with the rear springs in both my '08 F350 V10 ECLB and my present '11 F350 6.2 CCLB FX4 --- and that's saying A LOT because I've added leafs to almost every truck I've ever owned, including an '05 Canyon, '02 Silverado, '95 F250 and '97 F250 CCSB 7.3
I realize there are different spring codes, but I'm not kidding: just start watching SuperDuties around town and you'll be able to call 250 or 350 before you can read the badge.
Also, leafs are beautiful things in that they're easily manipulated and modified. You can get a second pack from a similar truck and mix 'n match as you choose. Add the longest leafs you can for best load capacity and ride quality. You'll only need a new center pin (easily made from a standard Gr8 bolt) and new u-bolts (easily obtained from a local spring shop or order online at Alcan)
And please, trim those u-bolts at the nuts so they're not dragging the ground. Nothing says "a 16 year old built my truck" like u-bolts running wild.
If I'm not mistaken, the 350s have a taller lift block in the rear than the 250s from the factory. Besides being able to see the F250 badge in the picture, his truck looks like it has a 350 stance now. At least that's the way it appears to me. Check out this link for a website for factory parts:
The first two listings are for 2wd but the next three listings are for 4wd. Look at the amount of different codes for the front coils alone. Probably all for different weight ratings which affect ride and load capacity. You aren't sh!77ing there are a lot of spring codes. When I had my 96, a local spring shop either had in stock or made a set of rear springs for me that had more capacity than the OEM 350 leaf springs. Get a set for what you need for load capacity because if you go too heavy, the ride sucks when you're unloaded. But we drive trucks and not Caddys, I get it...
Defenitely looks like an f350 now from a distance.
Next step are 285/75/r18 on her, measured it out and it's the same height as my buddies f350 with 20" rims and 34" tires. Have a about 2 1/2" of play on the overall height before I can't fit in most of the garages or lots around my area.
As I was sayin'....just happened to park next to a near identical F250 today at HD.
My '11 F350 FX4 CCLB had a few hundred pounds of steel under the firewood. Note stance and I've got four leaves plus lower overload and upper overload.
'11 F350
'11 F350 spring pack
This '11-16 F250 FX4 CCLB had two leaves plus lower overload and upper overload. Note stance empty '11-16 F250 '11-16 F250 spring pack
As I was sayin'....just happened to park next to a near identical F250 today at HD.
My '11 F350 FX4 CCLB had a few hundred pounds of steel under the firewood. Note stance and I've got four leaves plus lower overload and upper overload.
'11 F350
'11 F350 spring pack
This '11-16 F250 FX4 CCLB had two leaves plus lower overload and upper overload. Note stance empty '11-16 F250 '11-16 F250 spring pack
The old Leafsprings were 2/1 no overloads on mine. For sure f250s before 15 all came without the 4" block which made no sense. They all look like the sag but perfect for towing I guess, super easy to hook up. All the landscaping places around here have a f250 crew cab long bed xl everywhere
I have never seen one that wasn't towing something and sagging lol
