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I brought this up quite awhile ago and am only now getting around to actually doing it.
I want to pick the *** end of my 88 f150 4x4 about 3-4” and increase load capacity.
No longer have factory box and have increased weight on rear by adding a flat bed.
A set of leafs built to do this sounds like close to a grand. Plus install.
Question... will leafs from a 250 bolt on and give me what I’m looking for ?
Just be aware that the ride quality is gonna drop considerably of you just add springs on top of springs. Can you do it? Sure. But it might be like riding a church pew down a staircase as far as comfort.
New springs aren't that much. ATS Springs is pretty knowledgeable. Give them a call and see what they recommend. I had all new custom arched Superduty springs made shipped to my door for 388 with all new eye and u bolts.
My preference is new re arched springs.
We have lots of gravel and washboard out here and bouncing into the ditch is a concern.
I’ll shop around a little better, the only game in town around here unless you have an account is pretty pricey.
Unless you're running Baja talk of poor ride quality is mostly internet lore. Add springs from a similar donor and you're doing nothing different than the factory did. I always add as long as possible- one right under the main leaf for sure. Long leafs with an arch similar to the existing pack are what provide the best ride and load capacity.
Aftermarket AAL'S are short and heavily arched in an attempt to provide maximum lift from an inexpensive, easy-to-ship spring. As such they can make ride quality suffer and place odd stress on the pack above.
I've added to packs on 4 OBS Fords, a GMT400, a GMT800 and a GMT355. Never regretted it. About to do a 2nd Gen Ram
Thanks WWR,
so it looks like I have 5 leafs now. I’m guessing that is stock ?
the 5th being the little shorty leaf on bottom of stack.
So I understand correctly, keep my 5 and add 2 more ?
I salvage this from a junkyard or buy some new guys ?
This will give the lift as well as load carry I’m looking for.
The photo above from mudpsort looks like the ride height I’m after.
Thanks WWR,
so it looks like I have 5 leafs now. I’m guessing that is stock ?
the 5th being the little shorty leaf on bottom of stack.
So I understand correctly, keep my 5 and add 2 more ?
I salvage this from a junkyard or buy some new guys ?
This will give the lift as well as load carry I’m looking for.
The photo above from mudpsort looks like the ride height I’m after.
You'll need leafs from a JY. In your search you might just find entire packs you want to swap in, and thats fine.
I'll often cut the spring eyes of another main leaf and throw it right under the main leafs in existing pack(s). Then another maybe under the existing second leaf down. Some of it depends on what the donor packs can provide.
You can totally cut leafs with abrasives, and you can chamfer or taper your cut ends if you want. I wouldn't worry about any factory anti-friction pads that might be there - they're usually plastic and breaking apart by now and I've never missed them.
You'll need new u-bolts from a spring shop (should be $60 to $100 for 4). Get 'em slightly longer than stock to allow for increased pack thickness. And you'd need new u-bolts no matter what, whether replacing entire packs or building a frankenpack.
If building a pack you'll need a longer center pin which is nothing more than a bolt with a round head but often a standard hex head will drop into the spring perch hole. Or you can turn a head round on a belt sander, or use a grinder etc. It doesn't have to be perfectly concentric. Can also shop for a SHCS or of course your spring shop may sell actual center pins, but I've always just made my own.
The photo above from mudpsort looks like the ride height I’m after.
That picture doesnt even do it justice. I had to run around at night with my brights on to see the road because my headlights were pointed down so far. I ended up pulling the factory blocks out from under the springs to get the lights back in an area i could adjust them. Even without the factory block it sits about an inch higher than it did before the spring swap. And i can put a decently heavy trailer on the hitch now too.
I booked in today at a spring / suspension shop.
says I’ve had some previous work done and leafs look good.
They are going to pull apart , re arc the leafs and add 1 more under the top long guy.
Then he said pull the factory horn stop looking deal on top of axle and put a taller block in.
Will not make truck ride bad and will give 2-3” lift in back.
Booked May 07 , I will post up when done with a result.
Appreciate the responses.
Got some pics of the '87 I did years ago (back in 2009). It's parked slightly twisted up so side shot isn't completely representative of ride height, but close. Now 6 leafs I just extend the clamps straight up and leave them open like this - old rockcrawler trick so the leafs can "fan" open at droop Retained the factory 2" block
Got some pics of the '87 I did years ago (back in 2009). It's parked slightly twisted up so side shot isn't completely representative of ride height, but close.
Now 6 leafs
I just extend the clamps straight up and leave them open like this - old rockcrawler trick so the leafs can "fan" open at droop Retained the factory 2" block
Yes that's the factory 2" block with incorporated bump stop perch.
Thanks wwr for the look, I should be where your at with leafs when shop is done w it.
The factory stop pulled and a taller one installed.
Hope ride is ok as they assure me it will.
Ill get a pick before and after and will post up.
Thanks
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