Front Leaf Removal
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Joined: Mar 2005
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Front Leaf Removal
Rusty Bucket' (Bouquet) here....I am in the progress of dropping the front end of my 53 a bit by removing some leaf springs. I have read on this site that it is a common practice by removing every other spring. Each stack has 8 leafs. I started at the top, removing leafs #7, #5 and #3. Am I correct in starting from the top or do I have it backwards? This task just seems tooooo easy, I've got to be doing wrong here. "Beware.....Rust Never Sleeps"
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 216
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From: North Branch, MI
Rusty, according to some info I found in the Mid fifty catalog that I have (page 128) you strat from the bottom: keep #1 remove #2 keep #3 remove #4 keep #5 remove #6 keep #7 but cut off the wrap 1 1/2 from the eye. According to them if you add a reversed eye main leaf you would drop the front 3" to 3 1/2". They also recommend cleaning and adding Polly buttons or poly ride spring liner.
Hope this helps, I haven't tryed this but it's on my list of things to do some time in the future.
Have a great one
Bob G
Hope this helps, I haven't tryed this but it's on my list of things to do some time in the future.
Have a great one
Bob G
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,766
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From: Minnesota
I removed the shorter springs on the btttom and I will see how it rides this summer. My logic is the shorter springs are the stiffer springs and do not have much flex to them. Also I also have a 1977 F-150 and it has longer springs no shorter ones.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,908
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From: Seattle WA.
I removed 4 of the 8 leafs on my front springs today and added the plastic strips between the leafs. What a difference it made in the ride I can't wait to do the rear springs. I went to a local spring shop and they had the shackles in stock at $7.95 each.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,231
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From: Near Fresno, California
When you do your rears, you might consider using the springs you remove as overload springs. That way if you ever cary any weight your truck will still handle it, and it may help keep your springs from wrapping up when you romp on it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Seattle WA.
WillyB thanks that's a great Idea, have you done that, if so could you please take some pictures.
Rod
Rod
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: North Branch, MI
51
Which leaves did you remove? The order Mid Fifty suggests or something else? Does taking out 4 leaves show much as far as lowering?
It's on my list of things to try to get done this winter, provided I can get some sort of heat in the garage. It's 13 out as I type and we aren't even to winter yet.
Have a great Thanksgiving.
Bob G
Which leaves did you remove? The order Mid Fifty suggests or something else? Does taking out 4 leaves show much as far as lowering?
It's on my list of things to try to get done this winter, provided I can get some sort of heat in the garage. It's 13 out as I type and we aren't even to winter yet.
Have a great Thanksgiving.
Bob G
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Near Fresno, California
I have never done it on a 1/2 ton, but it is a common practice on the heavier 3/4 tons. The last one I did was a 73 F250 with 1 ton springs. It is no big deal - you just rearrange your spring pack. Sorry, I have no pictures.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,908
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From: Seattle WA.
Originally Posted by sgtrwg
51
Which leaves did you remove? The order Mid Fifty suggests or something else? Does taking out 4 leaves show much as far as lowering?
It's on my list of things to try to get done this winter, provided I can get some sort of heat in the garage. It's 13 out as I type and we aren't even to winter yet.
Have a great Thanksgiving.
Bob G
Which leaves did you remove? The order Mid Fifty suggests or something else? Does taking out 4 leaves show much as far as lowering?
It's on my list of things to try to get done this winter, provided I can get some sort of heat in the garage. It's 13 out as I type and we aren't even to winter yet.
Have a great Thanksgiving.
Bob G
I thought my garage was cold at 40 degrees yesterday guess I was lucky.
you also havs a nice Holiday
Last edited by 51ford fan; Nov 24, 2005 at 10:26 AM.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,005
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From: Santa Clarita
I've been doing the removal of leafs on several vehicles for years. On my 56, I removed the three in order, from the smallest on up. I didn't go every other like mid fifties states. My truck actually rides smoother and nicer than with the all the leafs in it. When you remove several leafs your U bolts will be too long, you can either apply spacers or get shorter U bolts. As a rule, one leaf gives you about 1/2" 3/4" drop.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,958
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It looks to me like if I remove some leaves in the front and lower the truck that I will almost be against (or against) the bump stops. There is only about 3 inches for mine to go up. Maybe my springs are shot?
Anyone have pics in their gallery of how it all sits once its all done? (confused smilie)
Anyone have pics in their gallery of how it all sits once its all done? (confused smilie)
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,005
Likes: 2
From: Santa Clarita
Brian, I don't have any pics, but 3 inches is way more than I have. I have maybe 1.5" at best. I also cut the rubber in half to give me a little more. The shocks I have in the front are pretty stiff. I do bottom out on occasion on a dip or pothole. Without looking at the leafs I can't say if they are shot or not. More than likely they are shot, I know mine are...... LOL... My next project will be to put a set of reverse eye main leafs in. Still keeps it low, but doesn't sacrifice the strength of the spring.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,958
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Oh..ok. I have not driven mine on the road yet (very soon!), but it seemed too close to lower it very far. 51 ford fan said his dropped about 2". Cutting the stops would give it more room to move up.
They probably are shot. They are stock to a similar year truck (not sure what year) and sit almost flat with it on the ground. Still a slight curve, but not a lot.
I guess I will drive it for a little while and see how it does. Sorry for jumping the gun in this thread, but I would guess I am not the only one who is curious.
They probably are shot. They are stock to a similar year truck (not sure what year) and sit almost flat with it on the ground. Still a slight curve, but not a lot.
I guess I will drive it for a little while and see how it does. Sorry for jumping the gun in this thread, but I would guess I am not the only one who is curious.