Leaf spring swap?
Thread Starter
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4wd Low
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Wyoming
Leaf spring swap?
Hi, my name is Ben and i am new to this forum, even though i have gained a lot of knowledge from it in the last. My question is, will leaf springs from a 76 f250 work on a 78 f250? Mine needs new ones all around and i want to do a 2 inch lift and get rid of the rear blocks for more travel. I know there is a width difference on some of the springs, and i am looking at the right width and length. I am wondering more about height gain.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 828
Likes: 66
From: Hartford, WI
How much money you willing to spend?
I just put Deaver soft ride springs in my 77 F150. I removed the 3.25” factory rear blocks and new springs are right on the axle. It rides much better or should I say really nice now for a 40+ year old designed suspension. It raised the back end about about 2.25”. So right now the truck sits about 1.5” higher in the back then the front end. We rebuilt the hole front end with new springs etc...and it raised it up a little as well. So the back end was sitting 3/4” low in the back.
So I got rid of the blocks, raised up the back end and it rides better to boot! Springs where like $550 from JBG Yard. Shipping to me was about $150. Only bummer part. Wish I could’ve picked them up and saved the shipping costs but the cost out weighed the benefits in my opinion.
I just put Deaver soft ride springs in my 77 F150. I removed the 3.25” factory rear blocks and new springs are right on the axle. It rides much better or should I say really nice now for a 40+ year old designed suspension. It raised the back end about about 2.25”. So right now the truck sits about 1.5” higher in the back then the front end. We rebuilt the hole front end with new springs etc...and it raised it up a little as well. So the back end was sitting 3/4” low in the back.
So I got rid of the blocks, raised up the back end and it rides better to boot! Springs where like $550 from JBG Yard. Shipping to me was about $150. Only bummer part. Wish I could’ve picked them up and saved the shipping costs but the cost out weighed the benefits in my opinion.
Thread Starter
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4wd Low
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Wyoming
It depends. I would like to spend about $600 total for the front and the back. I want to do basically what you did for the back, and i would like to get new springs that would add 2 inches up from. I am tempted to go with Alcan leaf springs, and that would run about $1300 for the whole thing. The more i research, the more it seems like that might be the beat way to go.
Thread Starter
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4wd Low
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Wyoming
I also didn't know if it would be possible to put leaf springs from a 76 year that are the proper width and length on and gain height and ride from it. I have done some research but i have a hard time finding stuff for it. I thought about getting some replacement leaf springs for the rear that would give a 5-6 inch lift and remove the 3.25 inch blocks and get a 2-3 inch lift there, get 2 leaf replacement leaf springs for the front and then put a 1.5-2.5 ad-a-leaf under the front to get the level ride.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 828
Likes: 66
From: Hartford, WI
The Deaver soft ride springs are rated to give a 4-6” of lift. Like you I didn’t want to run the factory 3.25” blocks or I would’ve ended up with like a 5” of lift or more.
I ended up with about 2.25” total like I said.
Sounds like the Alcan springs if you did your research might be your best bet? Good set of springs are costly but like they say you get what you pay for.
I ended up with about 2.25” total like I said.
Sounds like the Alcan springs if you did your research might be your best bet? Good set of springs are costly but like they say you get what you pay for.
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,247
Likes: 5,815
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
The 76 F250 ones are probably from a high boy (?) if you are searching OEM replacement. And think that putting HB leafs will be like a lift on your 78 Lowboy right? On highboys rear leafs are 2 1/4 wide, front are 3". The 78 F250 front and rear are 3" and 3". Best bet it to get actual lift kit ones for a 78 that provided a 2" or 3" lift for the front.
A additional block is the normal on the back. For a 2" rear lift a add-a leaf might work. Cheap, but makes for a rough ride...
As far as deleting the rear block you will need the about of lift (in the spring) to cover removal of the block. Even putting a 6" lift kit/system (new front and rear leaf springs) from Skyjacker, you have to reuse the rear OEM block. Unless you go with Atlas Suspension, they offer enough lift/option to delete the need of the rear block.
1973-1979 F250//F350 4x4 Atlas SuspensionAtlas Spring Company
A additional block is the normal on the back. For a 2" rear lift a add-a leaf might work. Cheap, but makes for a rough ride...
As far as deleting the rear block you will need the about of lift (in the spring) to cover removal of the block. Even putting a 6" lift kit/system (new front and rear leaf springs) from Skyjacker, you have to reuse the rear OEM block. Unless you go with Atlas Suspension, they offer enough lift/option to delete the need of the rear block.
1973-1979 F250//F350 4x4 Atlas SuspensionAtlas Spring Company
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,221
Likes: 323
From: SW PA
4” deaver or skyjacker rear springs and deleting block or run a small one coupled with OEM highboy front springs will give desired results.
to be closer to $600 you will need to only do front add a leaf.
if you search for my name you will find a thread I did on putting HB springs into a 77.5-79 truck.
to be closer to $600 you will need to only do front add a leaf.
if you search for my name you will find a thread I did on putting HB springs into a 77.5-79 truck.
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