2003 Superduty front spring setup on 86 frame?
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2003 Superduty front spring setup on 86 frame?
Howdy everyone.
I have access to a wrecked 2003 superduty and noticed that there are factory brackets for a reverse shackle setup on flat leafs. It looks like the leafs are longer than factory flat bullnose front leafs.
I didn't have a tape measure when I was looking at the superduty, but I was just wondering if anyone already knew what the axle placement would be like if I ended up swapping the factory superduty setup (Front fixed hanger, springs, and reverse shackles) over to a 86 Bullnose frame.
The recipient truck already has a d60 under 4" arched rough country springs (on factory shackles) and I'm actually trying to lower it a bit. The welding and new bracketry isn't an issue, but I didn't want to take the time to pull the superduty parts only to find that there was some obvious issue with axle placement or driveshaft length that I didn't see beforehand.
Factory Superduty Front springs setup:
Front fixed spring mount.
Rear reverse shackle and mount.
I have access to a wrecked 2003 superduty and noticed that there are factory brackets for a reverse shackle setup on flat leafs. It looks like the leafs are longer than factory flat bullnose front leafs.
I didn't have a tape measure when I was looking at the superduty, but I was just wondering if anyone already knew what the axle placement would be like if I ended up swapping the factory superduty setup (Front fixed hanger, springs, and reverse shackles) over to a 86 Bullnose frame.
The recipient truck already has a d60 under 4" arched rough country springs (on factory shackles) and I'm actually trying to lower it a bit. The welding and new bracketry isn't an issue, but I didn't want to take the time to pull the superduty parts only to find that there was some obvious issue with axle placement or driveshaft length that I didn't see beforehand.
Factory Superduty Front springs setup:
Front fixed spring mount.
Rear reverse shackle and mount.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 3,369
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From: Caraway, AR
You can try the brakes steering suspension tires and wheels section https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum64/ May not be able to to point you at a documented swap, but maybe able to find someone familiar enough with the two to say if it may work.
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Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Bitterroots of Montana
If you can remove the front hangers from the SD and mount them to the 86 frame with about 28 inches to the center of the wheel arch ( or where the center of the wheel is from the factory) from the spring mounting eye, then you can determine where to mount the hanger/shackle at the rear. You should have 54.5-55.5 inches from the front spring mount to the rear shackle mount (you don't want the shackle to be vertical when the truck weight is on the springs). The front hanger will likely interfere with the bumper.
Is your truck a 3/4 or one ton? If so, Sky has a SD RSK kit available, it is what I used in my 88 F350.
Is your truck a 3/4 or one ton? If so, Sky has a SD RSK kit available, it is what I used in my 88 F350.
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Thanks for the replies.
All of this would have been taken care of if I had a tape measure at the time.
Ewalt98, did you use your factory flat springs with your SKY kit? Is that where the 55ish inch measurement comes from? I didn't know if the Superduty springs were longer or the same as the earlier springs.
The 86 frame is a 250 long bed, so I believe it's a 3/4 ton.
All of this would have been taken care of if I had a tape measure at the time.
Ewalt98, did you use your factory flat springs with your SKY kit? Is that where the 55ish inch measurement comes from? I didn't know if the Superduty springs were longer or the same as the earlier springs.
The 86 frame is a 250 long bed, so I believe it's a 3/4 ton.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
Here's a kit to do what you want. For some reason they use that round bar up front to mount the front of the springs. I used to know why but now I can't remember.
https://www.skysoffroaddesign.com/co...perduty-spring
P.S. I think it's coming back to me. The front of your frame is not boxed. So there is no way to just drill holes and bolt the front hangers in place. Unless you want to weld on the frame and do some fabrication. I think that is what the bar in the kit is for.
https://www.skysoffroaddesign.com/co...perduty-spring
P.S. I think it's coming back to me. The front of your frame is not boxed. So there is no way to just drill holes and bolt the front hangers in place. Unless you want to weld on the frame and do some fabrication. I think that is what the bar in the kit is for.
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Thanks, Franklin.
I'm familiar with the Sky kit- that's where I learned that some of their kits suggest retrofitting superduty springs. I can box and brace the current frame fairly easily.
I'm familiar with the Sky kit- that's where I learned that some of their kits suggest retrofitting superduty springs. I can box and brace the current frame fairly easily.
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FTE Legend
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From: Angier, NC
I thought there was a member over on Gary's site that was doing just this but could not find the post 
Maybe give a look yourself Gary's Garagemahal (the Bullnose bible) - Bullnose Forum
Dave ----
Maybe give a look yourself Gary's Garagemahal (the Bullnose bible) - Bullnose Forum
Dave ----
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I thought there was a member over on Gary's site that was doing just this but could not find the post
Maybe give a look yourself Gary's Garagemahal (the Bullnose bible) - Bullnose Forum
Dave ----
Maybe give a look yourself Gary's Garagemahal (the Bullnose bible) - Bullnose Forum
Dave ----
Thanks.
I also thought I've seen/heard/read about it happening sometime/somewhere. Otherwise I wouldn't have thought "Oh, this is that OEM Ford reverse shackle setup I read about" when I saw the Superduty!
I think I'll just need to spend some time out there with a tape measure and figure it out.
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 453
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From: Bitterroots of Montana
Thanks for the replies.
All of this would have been taken care of if I had a tape measure at the time.
Ewalt98, did you use your factory flat springs with your SKY kit? Is that where the 55ish inch measurement comes from? I didn't know if the Superduty springs were longer or the same as the earlier springs.
The 86 frame is a 250 long bed, so I believe it's a 3/4 ton.
All of this would have been taken care of if I had a tape measure at the time.
Ewalt98, did you use your factory flat springs with your SKY kit? Is that where the 55ish inch measurement comes from? I didn't know if the Superduty springs were longer or the same as the earlier springs.
The 86 frame is a 250 long bed, so I believe it's a 3/4 ton.
Franklin is right, the tube between the front hanger mounts is to help stiffen up the non-boxed frame horns.
I can't tell you what your ride height would be with an aftermarket RSK and factory SD springs would be compared to what you have now, but I would think it would drop a little, maybe end up between the stock F250 and your current setup. Those factory SD hangers you are looking at might be completely different height wise.
Since my truck was stock with the D60, all I did was install the RSK and SD springs without the tiny factory block on top of the springs, and I actually dropped the front about 3/8".
The ride with the SD springs in front and back is now supple and smooth. Well, supple compared to before.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 3,369
Likes: 16
From: Caraway, AR
Thanks.
I also thought I've seen/heard/read about it happening sometime/somewhere. Otherwise I wouldn't have thought "Oh, this is that OEM Ford reverse shackle setup I read about" when I saw the Superduty!
I think I'll just need to spend some time out there with a tape measure and figure it out.
I also thought I've seen/heard/read about it happening sometime/somewhere. Otherwise I wouldn't have thought "Oh, this is that OEM Ford reverse shackle setup I read about" when I saw the Superduty!
I think I'll just need to spend some time out there with a tape measure and figure it out.
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