F-1 Rear Leaf Spring Question
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From: OK
F-1 Rear Leaf Spring Question
I searched for an answer but came up with nothing. The answer is probably no, but I will ask anyway. Is there a newer car or truck whose leaf springs will bolt in place of the original rear leaf springs for a F-1 (A little drop or lift would be fine, as long as it isn't too drastic)? I need to put in new leaf springs (I have already broke some) and I figured this would be a good time, since I will be putting a 9" in. If I had the money right now, I would go ahead and put ladder bars and coil overs in it, but that is too pricey for me right now. So back to my question, are there any leaf springs from a newer car or truck that will work (I would buy new leaf springs, but it comes back to the money situation again)? Thanks for the help ahead of time. 
hotrod48
hotrod48
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From: Northshore, MN
are the mains broke? or are you looking at just replacing the lower leaves? It's(48) buried in a snow bank right now but, rangers and bronco II's have 2.5" leaves as well as 2wd 73-79's, and porbably 80's on up to 96. F250 Highboys if I remember right are either 2.25" or 2" leaves. dare I say S10 leaves?..but I proudly say I don't know what theirs are at. Only other consideration is the mid-80's toyotas. Most newer cars have coils springs. One other thought...late 70's early 80's chrysler LeBarons.
Last edited by havi; Jan 1, 2006 at 11:19 PM.
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
On my 48 F-3 I used the rear end and springs out of an 87 Chrysler 5th Avenue. The springs are longer than the originals but come out of a car of similar weight to our trucks. The springs are rubber insulated and should make my truck ride very smooth. Using the Chrysler hangers and shackles, the springs can be mounted to the Ford frame by fabricating simple 'L' brackets. My F-3 originally had 13 leaf springs and I could not move the rear suspension one inch by jumping on it but now I can move the suspension by merely pressing down with with one hand. 
Vern
Vern
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hotrod48,
Call around to the local spring and suspension shops. You might find its not that expensive to have your rebuilt. I had my fronts done and bought all new bushings, pins, etc for about $150
I'll need to do the rears also but I have to wait until I get the bed back on the truck so I canmake a guess about ride height
good luck
Bobby
Call around to the local spring and suspension shops. You might find its not that expensive to have your rebuilt. I had my fronts done and bought all new bushings, pins, etc for about $150
I'll need to do the rears also but I have to wait until I get the bed back on the truck so I canmake a guess about ride height
good luck
Bobby
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havi, I have broke the bottom four leaves on both sides now. I don't want to take any chances on breaking the main. Since I do race my truck, I would like something better anyway. I would like to replace the complete leaf pack. I just need to go measure some different trucks I guess. 
Vern, I would like to be able to do that. I doubt I have the time to do that right now, I have to rebuild too many other things on the truck right now.
Bobby, my dad had new ones built for the rear of our 46 Chevy coupe and it cost over $200. This is one of the reasons why I asked here, because I can't afford that. It would be best if a S-10 or a GM leaf pack would work (I can get them much cheaper).
Thanks guys for the help.
hotrod48
Vern, I would like to be able to do that. I doubt I have the time to do that right now, I have to rebuild too many other things on the truck right now.
Bobby, my dad had new ones built for the rear of our 46 Chevy coupe and it cost over $200. This is one of the reasons why I asked here, because I can't afford that. It would be best if a S-10 or a GM leaf pack would work (I can get them much cheaper
).Thanks guys for the help.
hotrod48
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From: Seattle WA.
Look at Classic Performance they have a complete rear leaf spring kit for the F1. http://www.classicperform.com/
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Hotrod48, The old saying is Racing equals Money. You said you raced your truck alot, if I was you I would save up and buy something that is made for racing. If you keep on putting old leave springs in your truck out of older cars and trucks they are going to break to sooner or later. It might cost more to buy the good stuff, but by the time you buy used parts over and over you could have paid for the racing parts and replaced it once. I'm just passing on what was told to me by my uncle. But I see where you are coming from though b/c the good parts cost alot of money and I would have to save up for stuff like that to. Good luck with your truck.
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51ford fan, those are even more out of my price range. 
restoringmy46, yeah I know I have to "pay to play" (Or that's what I keep telling myself). I have been scheming on a ladder bar or 4-link set-up for a couple years now, but I can't afford it right now. I would like to find some leaf springs from a 80s-90s truck (They should be stronger than my originals). If they are from a GM product, I can get them for little or nothing. I like to do things right the first time (It is much cheaper), but I just can't afford to ladder bar or 4-link it right now. I have an uncle who says: "cubic inches equals cubic dollars", and that is very true.
Thanks again guys, you are such a great help. I think I may have to hit the salvage yards when I get the time. Thanks.
hotrod48
restoringmy46, yeah I know I have to "pay to play" (Or that's what I keep telling myself
). I have been scheming on a ladder bar or 4-link set-up for a couple years now, but I can't afford it right now. I would like to find some leaf springs from a 80s-90s truck (They should be stronger than my originals). If they are from a GM product, I can get them for little or nothing. I like to do things right the first time (It is much cheaper), but I just can't afford to ladder bar or 4-link it right now. I have an uncle who says: "cubic inches equals cubic dollars", and that is very true.Thanks again guys, you are such a great help. I think I may have to hit the salvage yards when I get the time.
Thanks.hotrod48
I'll have the Roast Duck
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From: Northshore, MN
in racing, I believe the trick is to prevent axle-wrap( better launch). coil springs seem to be the way to go in that department. however, cost being the concern, I'd look at S10 springs and see if they match.
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PRO49, I had thought about mounting some under the frame, but I already have a 9" out of a 58 F-100 so I would have to move the spring perches and I don't really want too (I also have new tires). Thanks for the E-bay link too.
havi, I used to have major wheel hop but I got most of it fixed with some caster shims, it fixed most of it at the track but not really on the street. I still need to build some traction bars though. Axle wrap is a big concern and I would love to ladder bar or 4-link it. I do have a real nice set of Carrera adjustable coil-overs for Mustang II but I don't know if they would work for the rear (Doubt it, but a thought
).
Thanks again.
hotrod48
havi, I used to have major wheel hop but I got most of it fixed with some caster shims, it fixed most of it at the track but not really on the street. I still need to build some traction bars though. Axle wrap is a big concern and I would love to ladder bar or 4-link it. I do have a real nice set of Carrera adjustable coil-overs for Mustang II but I don't know if they would work for the rear (Doubt it, but a thought
).Thanks again.
hotrod48
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From: Owasso Oklahoma USA
Rob, are yo using traction bars with your leaf springs? They can save your springs from breaking and stop the axle wrap up that causes it. Some of those broken spring leafs can be used to make your own slapper type traction bars. You will also need some rubber snubbers and fab a mounting plate. Cheap and easy way to protect your springs.
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Roger, I don't have any traction bars yet. I would but with the leaf springs being on top of the axle, it is hard to find a set that is under $200. I need to buy some steel and build my own (All the steel I have is either has too small of a wall thickness or the outside diameter is too big). I think right now I am going to focus on getting my trans rebuilt so I can drive it. Since I have the orginal rear end in it (It is good right now) and then baby it around until I build my 9 inch and some traction bars.
Thanks guys.
hotrod48
Thanks guys.
hotrod48