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Im planning on doing a 99-04 leaf spring swap in my 97 f250 OBS as ive heard they ride better than OBS springs. Ive already figured out the front, but I dont know much about rear leaf springs. Do they have codes like the front? (v code, x code, etc). Is there a thread that has alot of information on these springs? I want to soften he ride of my truck but also try and keep some functionality. Even though i rarely fill my bed with weight or tow, I still want to at least be equipped in case i decide to do it. Any information helps.
Yes, there are a few options for front spring packs on the SD trucks. Somebody will chime in with that info surely. The factory spec is on the door build code tag on these trucks. Im curious as I had a cherry 97 F250 HD 4x4 previously. Never heard of the SD spring swap. I would have liked to do a F350 D60 swap and be rid of the TTB front diff. Im still kicking myself in the *** for selling it.
Do they make a hanger kit for the 08+ SD springs? If you are going to all that trouble, then go with those. I just did the later rear spring swap on my 01 a few months ago and the difference is remarkable.
Just found these guys and depending on your plans and budget for your truck, thought I'd post this up for a front 05 to 16 front axle D60 radius arm/coil spring set up.
I had a 96 F250 with a 86 KP Dana 60 installed to get rid of the crappy D50 those 250s came with. I had a 2 Add a leaf lift in the truck prior to the D60 swap so when the D60 went in, it rode like an old Mack dump truck when my 8 foot Meyer plow was not on, which helped, but still did not ride as smooth as my 16 F350 with radius arms and coil springs, because IMO, the older Fords do not ride as smooth as the newer Super Duty trucks. Just FYI...
When I had my 96 F250, which I plowed commercially with (that truck got worked), I used to research online all the time. I came across Sky Offroad Designs. I believe they also make brackets to use the newer and longer Super Duty front springs as well, but here is their rear spring Super Duty spring kit for OBS trucks.
The OBS Solutions link above uses Sky parts. This should be enough to give you a start to research on your own... BTW, still love the OBS trucks and their looks.
You need a shackle reversal up front. Front mounted shackles on a front axle is dumb and hurts ride quality.
For the rear the only way to really help ride quality AND maintain payload capacity is more, thinner leaves or go to longer leaves, which would probably mean '08+ but anything is possible
There are threads explaining the spring codes of the early SD (ie starting in '99) but it's been forever since I researched it.
