Notices
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

coil spring IFS to leaf spring solid axle...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 2, 2004 | 01:33 AM
  #1  
MontanaFord's Avatar
MontanaFord
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 752
Likes: 0
From: Kalispell, MT
coil spring IFS to leaf spring solid axle...

this is an idea i just recently started toying with...what i need to know is what year ford went to the coil spring front suspension, and also if the frame rails are the same width on an 84 1/2 ton as they are on a truck with front leaf spring suspension...also, what year did ford discontinue the 9" rear end?? and will this rear end bolt up to the springs on my 84??? any information regarding the above will be greatly appreciated...

MontanaFord
 
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2004 | 08:01 AM
  #2  
SAWDUST's Avatar
SAWDUST
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: SOUTH WEST FLORIDA
do a search and you will likely find the answer. i asked a simular question on july 29th--see the replys under the name sawdust and july 29th date.
 
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2004 | 08:09 AM
  #3  
SAWDUST's Avatar
SAWDUST
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: SOUTH WEST FLORIDA
removing air pump

i have a 1986 f250 4x4 with 302 in engine. i am making it into a hunting buggy and it will not ever return run on the streets.

the alternator is located on the lower passenger side of engine. i run in lots of water up to 4 ft deep. i need to relocate the alternator to the top of engine and the air pump seems to be a prime location. what problems do i create if i remove the air pump and install the alternator it's location?

how much of the pollution devices can i remove without creating problems--like he exhaust gas recirculation valve, etc? do i have to reprogram the computer?
also plan to remove the catalitic convertor. any problems in doing this?

thanks for your help,
 
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2004 | 12:24 PM
  #4  
ramboss429's Avatar
ramboss429
Posting Guru
25 Year Member
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,436
Likes: 0
From: South Dakota
When you eliminate the air pump and cats there is a lil vaccum hose on the passenger side of your pickup on the back of the engine that needs to be plugged, and all is well. Relocating the alternator shouldn't be too big of a deal.
 
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2004 | 12:27 PM
  #5  
ramboss429's Avatar
ramboss429
Posting Guru
25 Year Member
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,436
Likes: 0
From: South Dakota
Not sure what front axle you are looking for? Dana 44? Dana 60? It would be alot easier to put a solid axle in with coil springs. The ideal SAS axle is found in a '78-'79 F150 or Bronco, because of the disc brake set-up. You can put a dana 60 (leaf sprung) up front and buy the kit to convert it to coil springs and do the SAS that way. This is what I would probably do.
 
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2004 | 10:18 PM
  #6  
hoxiii's Avatar
hoxiii
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,711
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburgh
Ford went coil sprung on 4x2's and 1/2 ton 4x4's in '64.
Ford "discontinued" the 9" in 83, but they could still be found under trucks every now and then until about '86. There are 9's that will boltup to your truck.
The frames are the same.

[QUOTE=ramboss429]Not sure what front axle you are looking for? Dana 44? Dana 60? It would be alot easier to put a solid axle in with coil springs.QUOTE]

Easier? Possibly. Cost effective? No. If you have the cash to shell out for an axle and then for the conversion kit, by all means do it. BUT most of the times if you buy an axle that i still on a truck the guy will throw the springs in. Then it's just a matter of bolting the spring hangers to your frame and calling it good.

Justin
 
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2004 | 01:17 AM
  #7  
MontanaFord's Avatar
MontanaFord
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 752
Likes: 0
From: Kalispell, MT
thanks for the information, guys...it's helping me make some of my decisions...i really do like the idea of a straight axle front end, and if i can, i'll probably go with a Dana 60 just for the overall strength of the axle...curious, tho...which one, 44 or 60, would i most likely find under a 70's 1/2 ton w/ leaf springs??? most likely what i'll try to do is find a truck with a 9" rear and a straight axle front end, and buy the matched pair, so i have matching gears for it...this way, i don't hafta mix and match for the gear ratios, and it would seem to me that leaf springs would be easier to put a lift kit under if i ever decided to go that route...

MontanaFord
 
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2004 | 10:16 AM
  #8  
ramboss429's Avatar
ramboss429
Posting Guru
25 Year Member
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,436
Likes: 0
From: South Dakota
You won't find a 60 under any 1/2 ton unless it has been swapped in there. You can find a 44 and a 9" rear in almost any '70 some ford truck. The ones my buddies and I always go for are the '78-'79 F150 and Broncos. But in a 1/2 ton none of these will be leaf sprung fronts. They are all coil spring fronts. If you want leaf sprung front and rear you need to look at 3/4 ton F250s for a Dana 60 rear and a 44 front, or F350s for Dana 60 front and not sure what they had for rears (something stout though).

Coil sprung front ends are not tough to put a lift in either, and I do believe it might be cheaper, at least it would be for my '75 F250 if it had coil springs rather that front leafs.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

 Brett Foote
story-2

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-7

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
MontanaFord
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Jul 13, 2005 05:52 AM
MontanaFord
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
12
Mar 18, 2005 06:57 PM
MontanaFord
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Dec 29, 2003 11:27 PM
MontanaFord
Ford Inline Six, 200, 250, 4.9L / 300
3
Dec 24, 2003 01:57 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:28 AM.

story-0
10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

Slideshow: 10 ways Ford is losing to the competition

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 09:52:01


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

Some great targets in today's expensive world.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-15 09:35:19


VIEW MORE
story-2
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-4
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-6
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE