Flexomatic springs
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Flexomatic springs
I have a 1970 F100 with the flexomatic rear suspension. What is the difference between this and the regular shackle rear susoension. I am wanting to lower the rear of the truck to level it up. What is the best solution with this suspension setup
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 387
Likes: 0
From: Calgary
I'm just looking at a '72 brochure that describes the Flex-o-matic rear suspension. There is a special shackle at the rear with a arm that extends a ways along the spring. When the truck is empty the arm the spring is curved down and the arm does not contact the spring so you get a smooth ride. When you load the truck up the spring flattens out and the arm contacts the spring which reduces the effective length of the spring. So you get a shorter, stiffer spring.
As far as how to level out your truck...don't know.
As far as how to level out your truck...don't know.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 161,999
Likes: 75
From: 3rd Rock
...Welcome sstewart and lineman113...to Ford Truck Enthusiasts! If you have a minute check out the Guidelines, it will help you to navigate through and understand FTE.
We are pleased you have chosen the best source for Fords!
Enjoy FTE
…..See you on the boards.
We are pleased you have chosen the best source for Fords!
Enjoy FTE
…..See you on the boards.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: Bridgeville,CA
If you are just trying to level the truck then a better option would be to replace the front springs. The front tends to sag worse since it has the constant engine load on it. Also, there are different springs depending on wheather it had a 6 or 8 in it from the factory.
New User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
First I assume that it is a long bed. I have never seen a short bed with flex-o-matic. Get rid of the springs and replace with rear leaves from a short bed. Then get a rear suspension lower kit from DJM Suspensions. You have to remove factory front spring connection from the frame and replace with their parts. You can expect about a 2.5 inch lowering. If you do not replace the springs it totally messes up the pinion angle.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 161,999
Likes: 75
From: 3rd Rock
...Welcome mattroese, to Ford Truck Enthusiasts! If you have a minute check out the Guidelines, it will help you to navigate through and understand FTE.
Nice first post!
We are pleased you have chosen the best source for Fords!
Enjoy FTE
…..See you on the boards.
Nice first post!
We are pleased you have chosen the best source for Fords!
Enjoy FTE
…..See you on the boards.
Trending Topics
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Deep in the IE, So CaL
How are you planning to use your P/U? Is it at stock height?
Do you want to keep/make it stock?
Do you want to lft it or Lower it?
These are very important issues in attempting to have the best suspension solution. The years 67 to 72 in my opinnion are the BEST!
So choose/think wisely we all want "OUR AWESOME P/U's" to be the envy of the other P/U's in P/U-Land...
Lawrence
Do you want to keep/make it stock?
Do you want to lft it or Lower it?
These are very important issues in attempting to have the best suspension solution. The years 67 to 72 in my opinnion are the BEST!
So choose/think wisely we all want "OUR AWESOME P/U's" to be the envy of the other P/U's in P/U-Land...
Lawrence
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
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
Likes: 12
From: Ohio
The flex-o-matic part does nothing until you have a load on. So removing it will not change ride height initially.
Most of these trucks (2wd) had a bit of rake, some more than others now due to front spring sag.
Check into a longer rear shackle to drop truck a bit. This is common way to gain an inch or so on newer trucks. Watch your travel or you may bottom out somewhere(if you plan on putting any load in bed).
Most of these trucks (2wd) had a bit of rake, some more than others now due to front spring sag.
Check into a longer rear shackle to drop truck a bit. This is common way to gain an inch or so on newer trucks. Watch your travel or you may bottom out somewhere(if you plan on putting any load in bed).
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: Bridgeville,CA
At least here in Flagstaff you see a lot more jacked up trucks and VERY few lowered. I guess itrs a red neck/small town thing. If you intend to use the truck for hauling loads lowereing is a mistake (IMHO) I replaced the entire rear suspension on my F100 with a F350 assembly. I gives me a lot more load carring capacitry but I really miss the flexomatic springs. They were a great idea to improve the ride and retain load carring capacity. The F350 rear assembly rides like the axel is welded to the frame.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Deep in the IE, So CaL
I finally had my rear springs re-arc'd with 2 leafs added with the Flex-omatic units re-bushed. I achieved my 3" lift (Out here in SoCal it's a 50/50 lift vs low). I had to replace the coils but, I still maintained an actually not-so-harsh ride. Now with only a couple hundred pound sacks of gravel in the bed (Hey it's still a truck!) the ride is close to stock! This allowed me to run my 33x10.5x15 BFG AT's.Lawrence
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 487
Likes: 0
From: Jackson
First I assume that it is a long bed. I have never seen a short bed with flex-o-matic. Get rid of the springs and replace with rear leaves from a short bed. Then get a rear suspension lower kit from DJM Suspensions. You have to remove factory front spring connection from the frame and replace with their parts. You can expect about a 2.5 inch lowering. If you do not replace the springs it totally messes up the pinion angle.