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just looking for some opinions The leaf springs on my 82 f150 4x4 are flat I want to change them out they are rated at aprox 1388 pounds. It has a all steel flat bed on it so i was wanting to know if going up to the 1785 or the 2450 rated ones would keep a little arch in it or is it over kill . Will just be used for pulling trailers every now and then other wise just every day driver.
I dont know if I would go by the arc of the springs if good or not.
If you look at some 4x4 front springs they arc the other way and why I said what I did.
How much gap between the bump stop & axle is there? when you hook the trailer to the truck dose it sag and if so how much?
How much more does that steel flat bed weigh over a stock pick up bed?
Also note the higher rate springs will make it ride ruff with no load / trailer could you live with that?
If it do as what you want now I would leave it.
If I had to replace I think I would go with the 1785 ones no need to knock out your teeth on every bump & pot hole with a DD truck.
I just checked my 81 flare side 4x2 and if reading the sticker right the rear springs on mine are GARW 2545 and think it rides really nice.
Dave ----
If you have a heavy flatbed on it, they may be flattened out. The factory springs are made with thin curved leaves on top, and then a thick heavy straighter leaf on the bottom. This gives you a good ride when unloaded, and as the bed is loaded, the thin upper leaves flatten out against the thick lower leaf. That is why the truck originally has a rake to it with the rearend being high, and why frontend leveling kits are just a ridiculous fad. When the truck was loaded it would level out as the rearend settle down against that thick heavy leaf on the bottom.
You can get heavier springs, but your empty ride quality will be rougher. Adjustable air bags seem to be one option to make your hauling ride height adjustable. Really that is all you are doing, is adjusting your weighted ride height, since heavier springs will not increase the hauling capacity of the truck. Usually the tires are the limiting factor there.
