There are actually 6 different spring combinations used on the front of the F250/F350 trucks - so it would probably be possible to find a spring that would provide *some* lift without giving too stiff a ride. The range is 350 to 470 pounds of weight per inch of deflection, according to Ford's specs.

Also, the supercab and crewcab trucks use a heavier front spring than the regular-cab trucks - so if you used a non-snowplow package front crewcab spring on a regular-cab truck you'd get some lift. I'm not sure how much, though.

As far as rear springs, all F250s and F350s use exactly the same rear spring - except the ones with DRW. Most of the 450s and 550s use the 'X' front springs, but not all of them - some of them have a slightly lighter spring package.

LK

 

Not too sound like everyone is wrong, but I just went outside to the parking lot at work, and compared my 99' F250 4x4, to one of the FX4's. I found that the FX4 does sit higher in the front than mine, and the difference is not the springs, but the "SPING HANGERS". The factory Spring Hangers on the FX4 are longer than the factory ones that I had on mine. I have had a Front End Leveling Kit added to mine, and the only thing that they changed to do it was the Spring Hangers, front/rear. It cost about 450.00 from 4x4 Wholesale Parts.

 

cowboy2020, what engines were in both trucks?

 

I had an opportunity to compare my truck to my brother-in-law's this evening. His 2003 F-250 5.4L CC FX4 has 265-75-16 tires, which is the same as I am running. I also compared his spring shackles to mine, and they are the same. Therefore, the only difference I can determine is engine weight. Are the spring shackles different between a regular F250 and a regular F350? If they are, then maybe the FX4 F250 gets F350 shackles. Otherwise, they appear to be the same.........

 

To add one point to the conversation: 235/85-16's and 265/75-16's are within one quarter inch of eachother in diameter (31.73" vs 31.65"), figured mathematically. However, different brands, and even different models of tires within the same brand, do not always have the same actual diameter, even though they say the same size on the side of the tire. Air pressure and loaded weight also make a significant difference in a tires' loaded radius, and thus it's diameter.

To make an accurate comparison of the front suspensions on different trucks, the only fair way to do it would be to measure the distance from the axle to the frame, at the same points on both trucks, to eliminate tire size differences.

F350's have a 2" taller rear spring block than F250's, which makes F350's LOOK like they are shorter in the front than an F250 because of the way the F350 rides at a downhill angle toward the front.

Also, because the front tire acts as a fulcrum, the front bumper is ahead of the front axle centerline, and the F350 is at an angle, the front bumper could very well be slightly lower than an F250 with the same front axle-to-frame distance, though I doubt the difference would be more than a 1/2 inch because of the length of the truck, especially on a crew cab long bed.

I think LK in his post above hit on the source of the spring differences and it makes sense that Ford would use different spring rates for trucks with differing load weights due to engines, cab types, etc and that trucks that are not identically equipped would ride at slightly different hieghts in the front and the rear as well. I also don't think it is an equal comparison to compare trucks of different years, as manufacturers often make changes from year to year.

That is interesting about the FX4 package suspension having longer spring hangers. Are these the leaf spring shackles being referrred to or the actual frame mounted spring hangers?

 

I seriously doubt the FX4 has longer spring hangers. I could be wrong, but prove me wrong with pictures if you have them. Ford would advertise ANY change made by the FX4, and they would certainly advertise a lift. I think the major difference most people notice has to do with engine weight. The PSD weighs about twice as much as the V10, and the V10 is obviously slightly heavier than the 5.4.

 

Amen

So we can finally put this my friends uncle's brother said crap to bed....

 

But sharing second and third hand info is so much FUN.........