Rear Leaf Springs
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 486
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Rear Leaf Springs
Looking for experiences in removing leafs from the rear end.
Firstly, I'm NOT looking at this to lower the truck. I already have the DJM lowering hangers.
I'm looking to soften the ride a bit, as the back is pretty harsh. My wife calls the truck "The Booby Bouncer Special."
My F100 is a bit different than most as it has a 9 leaf package with the Dana 60 axle. I've seen these listed as 1650lb springs, where most F100s have a 5 leaf, 950lb package.
The 950lb spring look like they have four main leaves, and the bottom 5th leaf is thick and flat. Mine all have an arch to 'em
Have any of you had any experience with this? As of now, it's a crap shoot as to which of the leaves to remove.
New 950lb springs are 370 bucks a pair. I'd rather not spend the money if I can get away with it.
Firstly, I'm NOT looking at this to lower the truck. I already have the DJM lowering hangers.
I'm looking to soften the ride a bit, as the back is pretty harsh. My wife calls the truck "The Booby Bouncer Special."
My F100 is a bit different than most as it has a 9 leaf package with the Dana 60 axle. I've seen these listed as 1650lb springs, where most F100s have a 5 leaf, 950lb package.
The 950lb spring look like they have four main leaves, and the bottom 5th leaf is thick and flat. Mine all have an arch to 'em
Have any of you had any experience with this? As of now, it's a crap shoot as to which of the leaves to remove.
New 950lb springs are 370 bucks a pair. I'd rather not spend the money if I can get away with it.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 1,899
Likes: 236
From: Southern California
Mickey, I just went out and looked at my springs. I have 8 leafs and a custom looking overload double spring contraption. If I were to soften mine up I would remove the bottom three leafs. And the overloads of course. Make sure you have shorter center bolts and u-bolts before you crawl under there.
Oh, wait. You can probably make those.
But really, what's wrong with some bouncin boobies?
Dan TK65
Oh, wait. You can probably make those.
But really, what's wrong with some bouncin boobies?
Dan TK65
Lead Gopher
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 10,057
Likes: 1,612
From: Seattle
I really like the rear leaves on my 1966 F250 Camper Special. Very smooth progression and if it needs it the one leaf is very thick like a built-in overload spring. I think the book lists that one leaf as 5/8" thick. These are the 2450 lbs leaves. Make sure your leaves aren't bound together. If they've rusted between leaves enough to bind them together then it can lead to a very bouncy ride.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,469
Likes: 965
From: Tri Cities, TN
This is from an old ND post.
"As original" 1965/66 F100 2WD:
5 leaf, 950 lb. load rating.
6 leaf, 1,250 lb. load rating.
9 leaf, 1,650 lb. load rating.
My truck originally had 6 leaves so I bought new 6 leaves to put back on it. I really, really wish I had got the 5 leaf and used softer shocks and added traction bars of some sort.
If you like to do burn outs the 950's will wheel hop if you have sticky tires. Don't know about removing leaf's that usually ends up try it and see what happens.
You could just bite the bullet and get some new ones.
"As original" 1965/66 F100 2WD:
5 leaf, 950 lb. load rating.
6 leaf, 1,250 lb. load rating.
9 leaf, 1,650 lb. load rating.
My truck originally had 6 leaves so I bought new 6 leaves to put back on it. I really, really wish I had got the 5 leaf and used softer shocks and added traction bars of some sort.
If you like to do burn outs the 950's will wheel hop if you have sticky tires. Don't know about removing leaf's that usually ends up try it and see what happens.
You could just bite the bullet and get some new ones.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 486
Likes: 174
This is from an old ND post.
"As original" 1965/66 F100 2WD:
5 leaf, 950 lb. load rating.
6 leaf, 1,250 lb. load rating.
9 leaf, 1,650 lb. load rating.
My truck originally had 6 leaves so I bought new 6 leaves to put back on it. I really, really wish I had got the 5 leaf and used softer shocks and added traction bars of some sort.
If you like to do burn outs the 950's will wheel hop if you have sticky tires. Don't know about removing leaf's that usually ends up try it and see what happens.
You could just bite the bullet and get some new ones.
"As original" 1965/66 F100 2WD:
5 leaf, 950 lb. load rating.
6 leaf, 1,250 lb. load rating.
9 leaf, 1,650 lb. load rating.
My truck originally had 6 leaves so I bought new 6 leaves to put back on it. I really, really wish I had got the 5 leaf and used softer shocks and added traction bars of some sort.
If you like to do burn outs the 950's will wheel hop if you have sticky tires. Don't know about removing leaf's that usually ends up try it and see what happens.
You could just bite the bullet and get some new ones.
So I reckon the question would be if "leaving" (see what I did there?) out the bottom three, or maybe four would soften up the ride without a total spring collapse.
This alone would lower the *** end about an inch if three leaves were left out, which is not the goal. I could always make up a spacer if it was too low. The truck has a nose down stance as it is.
Burnouts and wheel hop don't even enter into the equation, with my single barrel inline 300. It might make all of 120hp. She's just a cruiser!
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,697
Likes: 46
From: Vancouver
Sorry I can't offer any advice... Mine (with 9") has nine leaves and I find it a little soft.
Note the axle is attached differently than Christmas'
Eric.
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Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 486
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That's what mine look like Eric.
I finished the job today. It took a good bit of effort to get 'em out, get 'em taken apart, and get all the rust scale blasted off. The each individual spring was painted, and the springs were reassembled with a layer of chassis grease between the leaves.
I left the bottom three leaves out. That in itself, lowered the *** end nearly an inch just from the thickness of the leaves. All totaled, it sits about two inches lower. I have about two inches to the rear snubber, so I may have to raise it some.
But the suspension reacts to a good jounce at the rear corners.
So, we'll see how it rides after I get some other stuff buttoned up.
Thanks for the input fellers!
I finished the job today. It took a good bit of effort to get 'em out, get 'em taken apart, and get all the rust scale blasted off. The each individual spring was painted, and the springs were reassembled with a layer of chassis grease between the leaves.
I left the bottom three leaves out. That in itself, lowered the *** end nearly an inch just from the thickness of the leaves. All totaled, it sits about two inches lower. I have about two inches to the rear snubber, so I may have to raise it some.
But the suspension reacts to a good jounce at the rear corners.
So, we'll see how it rides after I get some other stuff buttoned up.
Thanks for the input fellers!
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