Hi All, I am looking for a ride comparison from anyone with experience between mono and multi leaf front springs.

To elaborate, truck is a 56 F100, I have reverse eye monos fitted right now that were on when I got it. They give a 5" drop according to the Mid 50 calculator, I have a 4 leaf reverse eye setup in the rear giving 3" drop.
I have new gas shocks front and rear.
I am happy with the ride height and stance.
The truck is my daily driver mainly on backroads.

The ride on the front seems to be harsh and bouncy on sharp bumps, much better on longer ones, my problem is I do not know if this is normal for leaf springs as this is my only experience.
I am in the UK so not many of these around full stop let alone with Leaf suspension.
I removed a sway bar and found the ride better with little body roll, I have left it off for now.

I am considering shipping some springs from the US But given the expense of such heavy items I would like to know if there is a real world benefit before doing so.

So to sum up, buy a set of Posies? A set of Mid 50 down and forward springs? Or just live with the monos as they are all about the same?

Thanks very much.

 

Mono springs are scary, IMO. Eaton agrees: https://www.eatondetroitspring.com/mono-leaf-springs/

 

That is of course another consideration, but if i'm gonna change em I want to fit the best I can.

 

Leaf springs date to the horse and buggy era and are harsh riding- period. I don't think you will ever obtain a car-like ride unless yoy were to go independant. What kind of tire pressures ae you running?

 

I realise I will never achieve a modern car like ride, I like it to drive like an older vehicle. That said some vehicles ride quite acceptably on leaf springs and I would be happy with that.

What I am asking is can I improve what I have while retaining the leaf setup.

Wheels are 15 x8 I run at 25psi, tried em at 30 and they track a little better but not much in it

 

Did you get a chance to read the article from Eaton Detroit Spring that Ross linked? Armed with information like weight of your truck overall, and the weight on the front axle, and a description of what you have and what you want to achieve, I would think they could custom build for you the correct springs without all the guesswork of ordering from a catalog store.

Here's a couple of excerpts...

Aftermarket mono-leaf springs are either designed with an even taper, which doesn’t distribute stress and load evenly, or are overbuilt which causes the spring to be way too strong for the application. It will ride harder (and it will break faster, funny enough.)

We have been manufacturing leaf springs since 1937. If you want her low and smooth, give us a call, and we’ll have you riding away in style (and safety.)

How To Order Springs For Your Vehicle

To find the correct springs for your vehicle, you need to provide as much information about your car as possible. There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all spring.

We try to make this easy by providing many ways to order your springs and send in as much information as possible:

1. Call Us at 1 (313) 963-3839
   For Quickest Order Completion
2. Fill Out Our Quote Request Form
   To Spell Out Details
3. Browse For Parts Online
   To Browse By Make, Model, Body Style, & Engine Size

 

I have the 4 leaf reverse eye mid fifty on the rear of my 49 after installing I had a very stiff ride check to see the function of the shackles mine were binding on the springs a little grinder work and it’s better. But still half a oxcart ride (I have ifs)

 

OP is in Britain/UK, so I doubt Eaton is an economical choice. Surely there are local spring shops that can fix him up.

 

It might well surprise you, the prices at Eaton Spring.
Greg

 

When you say "bouncy" I wonder if the shocks are worn out or just not good enough. It's not easy to find shocks for stock suspensions. They are out there, but not like they were 20 or so years ago.

If you are considering "down and forward" springs, double check your axle to oil pan clearance first. If you have a Ford motor with a front sump oil pan in it, those springs will move the axle directly under the oil pan which is not good.

For new leaf springs, I'd look at Eaton Detroit Springs. Like many aftermarket parts, I'm always leery of the other aftermarket springs with claims to do great things.

 

Yes I believe you would be better off with a multi leaf pack. Are there any spring shops near you that could build you a set? Custom leaf springs are not cheap but, fill out the order form or call the company you choose with all your info and you can get the ride you want. It's a guessing game otherwise.

 

They sure surprised me when I checked them last! I bought a set of fronts for $100 each 15 yrs ago, now they are $250 each.

 

Thanks everybody, I will give Eaton a call, I am sure they have dealt with my setup before. Stock axle 302/c4 pretty common. I had not thought of the oil pan issue moving the axle forward I will check anyway. Its not a deal breaker.

Shocks are new from Mid 50 gas shocks they are miles better than what i took off. If the Monos are over engineered for safety that would explain a lot.

I would have thought companys like Posies and Mid 50 would have things pretty well worked out maybe not so much.

I am positive I could get springs made here if I had the specs, I still want it lowered from stock, I will put a few questions on the Hot rod sites.nothing like F.T.E, over here.

 

According to Eatons website, they offer stock replacement and lowering leaf springs for these trucks.