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1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

1983 airforce surplus question

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Old Mar 29, 2020 | 06:10 PM
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1983 airforce surplus question

Hey all

Having a slight problem with my 83 F250 . It was parked in front of my house, and was rear ended by a drunk @ 60 mph. didn't do as much damage as you would expect, but, noticed I now have a bent spring on the drivers side. This was an incomplete vehicle sold to the air force, and I'm wondering if the spring code is anywhere else on the truck, other than the door sticker, as I'm unsure of what spring, to order. This is a F250 short flatbed, 460 4v , C6, 9000 gvw. The spring has 5 leaf's. 4th time this truck has been hit while parked, this time, it pushed it into my 1999 explorer, that was in front of it.. The Explorer is totaled...

Thanks.
Cliff
 
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Old Mar 29, 2020 | 08:18 PM
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I don't know the code, but that truck does take different springs. The chassis/cab or incomplete trucks had rearends and frames that were a little more narrow than a pickup, and the springs were more narrow, but a taller stack. Just stick with the chassis cab setup whenever you order something. If you get the whole spring you might want to get both sides.

We have a place near Wash DC that makes springs, When I had a leaf break on my 4x4, I went up there and they cut a new leaf for me and it fit perfectly. I think they can even curl the ends if you need the main leaf. Don't know if texas has a place like that or not.
 
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Old Mar 30, 2020 | 09:12 PM
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Thanks for the Info, can you recommend a place that sells spring pairs online. also, is there a ford part # stamped on the spring itself anywhere. I found a couple of places that sell springs online, but they all wanted an axle code. ( Mines blank on the door sticker). I don't know what all the military did to these trucks, but it's Def. heavy duty...
 
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Old Mar 31, 2020 | 06:57 AM
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Your best bet is to find a local truck spring repair place and see if they can fix you up or point you to who can.
Dave ----
 
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Old Mar 31, 2020 | 07:38 AM
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Originally Posted by goste
Hey all

Having a slight problem with my 83 F250 . It was parked in front of my house, and was rear ended by a drunk @ 60 mph. didn't do as much damage as you would expect, but, noticed I now have a bent spring on the drivers side. This was an incomplete (Cab & Chassis) sold to the air force, and I'm wondering if the spring code is anywhere else on the truck, other than the door sticker, as I'm unsure of what spring, to order.

This is a F250 short flatbed, 460 4V , C6, 9000 gvw. The spring has 5 leafs. 4th time this truck has been hit while parked, this time, it pushed it into my 1999 explorer, that was in front of it.. The Explorer is totaled...
What is the spring code printed on the Certification Label?

Truck sold as a Cab & Chassis, flatbed installed after the truck left the assembly line.
 
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Old Mar 31, 2020 | 08:24 AM
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I just checked on rockauto. They sell them. They have a cab and chassis spring for $178.79 each. The even have what looks like Ford numbers with them in their description. You can see they are 2 1/4 wide and a 10 leaf pack. What I didn't know is they did make a single rear wheel cab and chassis back then, and they list the spring for that above the other one for about $175. It also fits a 4x4 pickup so it's the dually cab and chassis that are really different.

You said you had a 5 leaf pack, so I am assuming you have a single rear wheel and not a dually rear?
 
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Old Mar 31, 2020 | 08:28 AM
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Cliff, if you're in TX like Dave F mentioned consider visiting these guys:

https://www.inlandtruck.com/locations/

I have a 1971 Oldsmobile 98 and had the 3 piece driveshaft rebuilt by the technicians at the OKC location. I'm sure they could get you what you need for your Bullnose.
 
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Old Mar 31, 2020 | 06:33 PM
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Thanks for the reply's guys.

What is the spring code printed on the Certification Label? ; No spring code # on the door sticker. Gives an axle code of 3330E

You said you had a 5 leaf pack, so I am assuming you have a single rear wheel and not a dually rear?
Today 06:38 AM. ; Yes, F250 single wheel 8600/9001 GVWR

Cliff, if you're in TX like Dave F mentioned consider visiting these guys: Thank you. I live about 2.5 hours from the fort worth location, Will give them a call. Thanks also for the rock auto lead Franklin2 , They have a pretty easy to understand size chart.
 
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Old Apr 1, 2020 | 03:17 AM
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Originally Posted by goste
Thanks for the reply's guys.

What is the spring code printed on the Certification Label? No spring code # on the door sticker. Gives an axle code of 3330E Impossible!
Spring code is at the far right lower below SPRING .. AXLE code contains TWO, possibly THREE digits.

Spring codes from 3/1981: 2 digits: 1st = front springs .. 2nd = rear springs // 3 digits: 1st = front springs .. 2nd = ignore .. 3rd = rear springs.

4 digits: 1st = ignore .. 2nd = front spring .. 3rd = ignore .. 4th = rear springs.

There's no 5 digit code. 1983 code is either all letters, numbers 5, 6, 7 or 9 or a combination of both.
 
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Old Apr 1, 2020 | 09:03 AM
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Thanks for your response Number Dummy

I'm not doubting you at all. But thats what this lable say's On the lower part of the sticker, WB-133 Type-GVW - F277 Body- AB8 Trans- K axle-3330E. Rest of the tag is blank. I'm wondering if an error was made along the line somewhere, as I'm fairly certain it's a Dana 60 rear axle..

Anyway's I appreciate the help.
 
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Old Apr 1, 2020 | 02:22 PM
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I will verify, Ford is famous for errors in their literature and wiring diagrams and manuals.
 
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Old Apr 1, 2020 | 06:25 PM
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Originally Posted by goste
Thanks for your response Number Dummy

I'm not doubting you at all. But that's what this label says.

On the lower part of the sticker: WB - 133 // Type/GVW - F277 // Body - AB8 // Trans - K // Axle - 3330E /// Rest of the tag is blank.

I'm wondering if an error was made along the line somewhere, as I'm fairly certain it's a Dana 60 rear axle..
1983 F250 could have either a Ford 8.8" or a Dana 60 or Dana 61.

Post a pic of the Certification Label.
 
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Old Apr 2, 2020 | 08:52 AM
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Is your rearend a semi-float version or a full float version?

The full float version will have a piece sticking out in the middle of the rear wheels on both sides that looks like the picture below.



The semi-float version will not have this piece sticking out, and will look like a conventional car or f150 style.

 
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Old Apr 7, 2020 | 09:03 PM
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Thanks once again People, for all the help and insight. I ordered a pair of springs off rock auto, and, Hope to get the flattie back on the road soon.

Franklin2. Thanks for the photos, it's a full floater

NumberDummy. Thanks for your. help, if I can, I'll try to post a pic, and you can tell me what the heck I've got. I don't see how a single wheel 3/4 ton, with a 5 pack spring could have a gvwr of 9000 lbs. If it matters, it has 9/16 studs, with one side being left-hand still. don't know why ford did that. Thanks again

Cliff
 
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