leaf springs
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leaf springs
ok now is it possible to put rear leaf springs on the front of a 78 f 250 or will they not fit between the shackles. (length wise) or is it better to keep the stock 2 leaf, leaf springs?
Carpenter Local 745
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: on da beach
you have a 4x I suppose, I believe most of those trucks came with reversed arch springs, I think it had to do with ride quality. If I am wrong, someone will give you the real scoop on the matter.
Carpenter Local 745
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: on da beach
On another note, 30 year old springs will sag, in your case arch more, check around for a local spring shop, most will bring the springs back to life or offer you an add a leaf system to get it to the original height.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Medina, Ohio
I have 78 250 4X4. I have to haul around about 800 lbs. of tools. It was looking a little low this spring so I took it to a local spring shop and they re-arched and added a leaf on a four corners for around $365. And it looks really good now. Put 33's under it. Erv
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One thing to beware of if you re-arch your springs - the arch wont last very long on its own.
An add-a-leaf helps, but your best bet is to put in new springs. new springs in general will raise your ride height 1"-2"
Installing them yourself isn't to difficult. Just get new bolts (g8) and u-bolts, and torch of the old ones.
An add-a-leaf helps, but your best bet is to put in new springs. new springs in general will raise your ride height 1"-2"
Installing them yourself isn't to difficult. Just get new bolts (g8) and u-bolts, and torch of the old ones.
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It has been my experience that a properly re-arched spring will last a long time. Springs will obviously crack due to corrosion or stress risers over time. A good spring tech knows what to look for when checking over springs and will replace those leaves that show signs of cracks developing.
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All depends on use. If your truck is just a daily driver the re-arch will last for awhile. If you constantly are hauling heavy loads, the arch won't last.
A leaf in a truck spring generally can take between 2-4 ton of pressure to arch when new. I have re-ached some older springs that would bend between 1 and 2. Structurally they would be fine - minimal rust, no cracks, decent bushings - but the use they had seen over the years had softened them greatly.
For appearance only, a re-arch is fine, but for hauling purposes, I would recommend new springs, or an add-a-leaf at the very least.
A leaf in a truck spring generally can take between 2-4 ton of pressure to arch when new. I have re-ached some older springs that would bend between 1 and 2. Structurally they would be fine - minimal rust, no cracks, decent bushings - but the use they had seen over the years had softened them greatly.
For appearance only, a re-arch is fine, but for hauling purposes, I would recommend new springs, or an add-a-leaf at the very least.
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Hmmm, when done at my local spring shop re-arched springs have been just fine when hauling heavy loads. It is possible they would have thrown out a leaf that took to little pressure to re-arch. The pressure required would depend on the thickness and deflection. The operator kept his eyes on the pressure gage and the springs very carefully. Bending a soft spring and using it would seem to be an operator error.
Post Fiend
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From: Kasson, Minnesota
When you add a leaf, make sure your U-bolts are long enough to get the entire nut threaded on. When I was reassembling my chassis during my restore project, I noticed my U-bolts Nuts would bottom out before the Nut cleared the bottom of the U-bolt. The bolts werent' long enough. I didn't realized the PO had added a leaf. So, I had to get custom new ones long enough so at least 4 or 5 threads or so would stick through the nut. I didn't feel like losing my front axle driving down the road.
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