What Front Replacement Front Springs?
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 93
Likes: 1
What Front Replacement Front Springs?
I have 83 F-100 2wd that needs new front springs. Looking at rockauto, the same replacement springs listed are used for the 80-96 F100-350! I'm concerned about maintaining ride height and not having the front end jacked up higher than the rear. Any recommendations?
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,992
Likes: 2,741
From: Virginia
How do you know this? How is your tire wear up front? If they were sagging badly, your tires would be wearing on the inside edges of the tread. Ride height on these trucks is critical to front end alignment. In my experience you are correct, most replacement spring rates are too high. If it raises the front end up too much you will have tire wear problems on the outside edge of the tread.
If you do not like the rear of the truck being higher, then I would mess with the rear rather than mess with the front. Leveling kits are a fad, trucks are designed to be higher in the rear from the factory. You have a multi-leaf spring pack back there, with thin curved leafs on top for a nice empty ride, and one heavy leaf on the bottom that supports a heavy load when the thin leaves on top flatten out.
If you do not like the rear of the truck being higher, then I would mess with the rear rather than mess with the front. Leveling kits are a fad, trucks are designed to be higher in the rear from the factory. You have a multi-leaf spring pack back there, with thin curved leafs on top for a nice empty ride, and one heavy leaf on the bottom that supports a heavy load when the thin leaves on top flatten out.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,120
Likes: 390
From: Evansville, Indiana
@Tenderpaw I'm curious. What is the spring code on the Certification Label? The label in the door jamb.
Also curious if your truck's springs are sitting atop perch/ shims like my '86. Many trucks used the same springs and ride height was adjusted with these shims. I had success adjusting my truck's ride height, I evened out side to side, by fooling with the shims.
My F150 LWB 2WD 5.0 AOD w/AC has B springs which I believe are 366#/".
There is, I believe, a lighter spring @ 335#/"
The v6 is only about 100# lighter than the 5.0.
Also curious if your truck's springs are sitting atop perch/ shims like my '86. Many trucks used the same springs and ride height was adjusted with these shims. I had success adjusting my truck's ride height, I evened out side to side, by fooling with the shims.
My F150 LWB 2WD 5.0 AOD w/AC has B springs which I believe are 366#/".
There is, I believe, a lighter spring @ 335#/"
The v6 is only about 100# lighter than the 5.0.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,935
Likes: 4,123
From: Angier, NC
I would see what the local parts store shows fro springs.
Dave ----
Trending Topics
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,992
Likes: 2,741
From: Virginia
Here is a chart with the different springs and their numbers. That info is just for curiosity's sake though, you most likely can't get the original springs anymore.
https://www.garysgaragemahal.com/front-suspension.html
I did the same, put a v8 in a buick regal that had a v6. It would bottom out also, so I bought a set of springs for a v8 monte carlo and it rode too high after that. I should have kept the v6 springs and put some sort of aftermarket assist on those like a heavy duty gas shock or something like that.
https://www.garysgaragemahal.com/front-suspension.html
I did the same, put a v8 in a buick regal that had a v6. It would bottom out also, so I bought a set of springs for a v8 monte carlo and it rode too high after that. I should have kept the v6 springs and put some sort of aftermarket assist on those like a heavy duty gas shock or something like that.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jtrux
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Apr 7, 2011 01:11 PM
DT 466Man
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
10
Jan 4, 2005 03:08 PM