Removing leaf springs
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From: Santa Clarita
Removing leaf springs
I just spoke with a guy who has owned a suspension shop here in Los Angeles for the past 40 years. I asked him about lowering my 56 and dearching the springs. He told me de arching is no longer popular, that people either go mono leaf springs or reverse eye springs. He also recommended that I removed 2-3 leafs which will lower the truck also. Any opinions on this? I may try to remove a few leafs this weekend to see what happens before pulling the whole leafs off or doing more work than necessary.
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From: St.Paul, MN
i removed all but the 3 longest leafs and put on rear coilovers that ran me $30. there is a spot in mid fifty that has instruction on how they did it, but i would say you would be ok removing 3 at least, while they are apart put some grease or antisieze between whats left, make it a bit smoother. www.mid fifty.com
Last edited by innecity4wheelin; Jun 24, 2004 at 02:36 PM.
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I'm going to try and remove a few leafs this weekend. Interesting, I have only 5 leafs on my springs right now? Wonder if someone removed a few in the past? Anyone remove leafs on the front end?
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From: St.Paul, MN
i did, it dropped it and made it a bit soft, drop similar to monos, got like 4 inches or so. i am using f150 front load carriers there to to help stiffen it up but maintain the drop. 7 leafs were stock, i have 4.. though a 93 f150 4x4 is probaly a bit heavier than what i am using them for,
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From: Santa Clarita
Innecity, Are you using the f150 load carriers on the front of your 55? Didn't know they fit? I recounted the rear leafs and it looks like six on the rear, I'm gonna try to go to 3. I may do the front next, haven't looked at the leafs there yet. Looks like 3-4 on the front. Hope the truck will sit nice. Rides like a rock right now!
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From: St.Paul, MN
actually come to think of it , i have 3 leafs in the rear, i have the 3 longest in the front, put the shortest one, then the next longest like a helper, but the axle is out now, so i might change it, i am putting a drop axle in. find my post on coilovers for your truck https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=250175
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From: St.Paul, MN
oh yea, if you dont get new u bolts, you will need to have some washers on hand. i would spring for new u bolts though if you can help it, i didnt, and mine were old n abused, and if you check around u should still be able to find a shop that dearc them, i found at least one around here, but after i removed some of the shorter leafs, they settled themselves., i moved the front spring hanger up to the top of the frame on the rear, gave me a few inches, but i am not sure how much it threw the pinion angle off, haven't got that far, i will try to get pics of how i welded shock towers on the rear to mount the 93 shocks, but i could have bolted on a piece of angle iron i had also. in the front i am using the gm shocks i think since the messed up the order and sent me another one of them in the wrong box.
Last edited by innecity4wheelin; Jun 24, 2004 at 09:21 PM.
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Thanks for the info innecity. The shocks I have in the front currently have pin to pin and not eye to eye? I just purchased a set of Gabriels for the front (part #81270). Coilovers would be cool in the rear, they always look sharp from underneath and ride real nice. I'll let you guys know how the truck comes out. Got a few shows coming this weekend! I've seen some great deals on drop axles on ebay. I actually think someone put a drop axle in my truck already. The front sits a bit lower than the stock trucks. Yahoo!
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From: St.Paul, MN
actually i meant pin to pin, i jut get clumbsy with words., it came with a pin for one mount, i had to remove the bushing, then heat the stud a bit and push the shock onto the old pin. the f150 shock bolted to the tower on top. but the gm are perfect match
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From: Santa Clarita
I just noticed ebay has my gabriel 81270 shocks listed for $12.95 for the pair + 9.95 shipping. It seems this shock fits a ton a different vehicles including volvo's, Mustangs, etc. That's a good deal. I just paid $30.00 from Auto Zone. It's your buddies, fruit something LOL...... Love to see pics on your suspension. Send a pic of the truck so I can see how low it is with the changes you made. Thanks buddy. Have a great weekend.
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Bubba, I removed the springs as suggested in many past threads. Starting with the shortest, then ever-other-one. While you are doing it, put in the plastic liners and bevel the rubbing end edges of the remaining springs. This should make them work a little smoother. I have a buddy in Auburn who is willing to give away a set of front monos the fit 53-54. They were on his truck for a couple of 1000 miles and he went to something else. Any takers? Good luck, John