Front rsk spring options
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Front rsk spring options
Finally wanting to pull the trigger on the reverse shackle kit on my ‘86 f350. I also want to get rid of the old f-superduty 2wd leafs for something a bit “softer”
the two options for the shackle reverse is the obs vs super duty spring. I realize the kit has to be engineered to accommodate the longer superduty spring. But what are the other benefits to that particular spring?
I’m sure it will ride better by putting the shackle in the rear, but I’m not sure I can justify $200 more for the superduty spring option. And then I have to find the springs on top of that....How much better is the superduty spring vs obs and what makes it better? Material or geometry?
the two options for the shackle reverse is the obs vs super duty spring. I realize the kit has to be engineered to accommodate the longer superduty spring. But what are the other benefits to that particular spring?
I’m sure it will ride better by putting the shackle in the rear, but I’m not sure I can justify $200 more for the superduty spring option. And then I have to find the springs on top of that....How much better is the superduty spring vs obs and what makes it better? Material or geometry?
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Elder User
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I figured I had to buy new springs regardless so it’s not fair to choose one versus the other. Sky is the only one that has the option for the obs spring.
if I needed to match the current lift I have, would it be more conducive to get the regular u code sd spring and put the lift in the shackle reversal? Or skip the sd factory spring and get a “lift spring” such as a deaver in the sd length?
if I needed to match the current lift I have, would it be more conducive to get the regular u code sd spring and put the lift in the shackle reversal? Or skip the sd factory spring and get a “lift spring” such as a deaver in the sd length?
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Elder User
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hahahaha, so do f-superduty 2wd front springs. Not sure what the load rating is on them, but from the ride, it’s significantly more than I need!
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From: Virginia
I thought 2wd were coils? Though after awhile 4x4 were coils also. I can't remember.
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Yeah, it was off a early 90’s rollback with a beam front suspension. Has about a 6” positive arch. Back when I didn’t care about how it ride, it was a free lift kit!
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From: Roseville, MN
I'd revise that to say "Many (maybe most) lift springs ride harsh and are stiff."
Lift springs make you much more susceptible to axle wrap which can cause a lot of problems. One way to reduce axle wrap is to stiffen the springs, so many lift springs are made that way. But if you have a different way to address spring wrap, or if you decide you aren't going to care about it, they don't have to be stiff.
I don't know a ton about Deaver springs, but where I hear about them most are in long-travel pre-runner type suspensions. Those have some lift but do not ride harsh at all. So if you're going with Deaver springs I'd say there's a reasonable chance they wouldn't be harsh or stiff. But if they aren't, beware of axle wrap.
But if it were me, I'd go with the SuperDuty U code springs and a reverse shackle kit. I would not want it lifted any more than that to try to avoid the problems that a big lift brings. But that's me.
Lift springs make you much more susceptible to axle wrap which can cause a lot of problems. One way to reduce axle wrap is to stiffen the springs, so many lift springs are made that way. But if you have a different way to address spring wrap, or if you decide you aren't going to care about it, they don't have to be stiff.
I don't know a ton about Deaver springs, but where I hear about them most are in long-travel pre-runner type suspensions. Those have some lift but do not ride harsh at all. So if you're going with Deaver springs I'd say there's a reasonable chance they wouldn't be harsh or stiff. But if they aren't, beware of axle wrap.
But if it were me, I'd go with the SuperDuty U code springs and a reverse shackle kit. I would not want it lifted any more than that to try to avoid the problems that a big lift brings. But that's me.
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