leaf springs
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2006
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From: N.W. Arkansas
leaf springs
Well my 66 project has a five leaf spring package. No wonder the thing was such a wimp when i used to load it with wood etc. Rear of the truck used to sag a little. New springs are not an option at this time. That money is budgeted for a new fuel tank and sender. Has anybody tried the add a leaf springs or would you recomend a salvage six leaf set if I can find them.
thx.
thx.
Freshman User
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i do not know what some of the others on here will say but my 62F100 has a totall of 13 leafs on the rear and 7 on the front and they have been added to the truck and some have been cut to fit they just made new clamps to hold them together and added longer U bolts and mine rides just fine can load a rick and 1/4 of green oak on it and the body drops maybe a inch good luck
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,677
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From: Near Yosemite CA
I did the add-a-leaf on my 66 F-250, made a world of difference, I think it was under a hundred bucks, shipping and all, now she squats not near as much. Well worth it, I also added 1 1/2" - 2" leveling coils for a 94 F-150 4x4 in the front, had to use the plasma cutter of a friends a few times to get the ride where I wanted it, but that really helped the front-end stance and got rid of the sad sag look.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
1966
5 Leafs were standard (1250 load rate); 9 leafs were optional (1650 load rate)
There was a 6 leaf spring used in 1965, but it had the same load rating as the 5 leaf from 1966.
These were the only F100 rear springs offered 1964/72.
5 Leafs were standard (1250 load rate); 9 leafs were optional (1650 load rate)
There was a 6 leaf spring used in 1965, but it had the same load rating as the 5 leaf from 1966.
These were the only F100 rear springs offered 1964/72.
Cross-Country
Joined: Feb 2004
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You can have the leafs rearched.
I decided to go with the original 5/1 leaf springs on my 1966 F100 4X4 and plan to add the Air Ride over the leafs for hauling. I have had add a leafs and extra leafs; they make the truck ride stiff. These trucks when Ford sold them in 1966 were a smooth riding truck that was the reason for the weak springs on the rear and up front. I sometimes wish I had that smooth ride again. That is not possible now for me as, I would need to remove the 4 inch lift kit and realign the front track arm to original specs.
I decided to go with the original 5/1 leaf springs on my 1966 F100 4X4 and plan to add the Air Ride over the leafs for hauling. I have had add a leafs and extra leafs; they make the truck ride stiff. These trucks when Ford sold them in 1966 were a smooth riding truck that was the reason for the weak springs on the rear and up front. I sometimes wish I had that smooth ride again. That is not possible now for me as, I would need to remove the 4 inch lift kit and realign the front track arm to original specs.
Last edited by snortf100; Apr 17, 2007 at 08:53 AM.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: San Luis Obispo, CA
Re-arching (or is it re-arcing?) the leaves is a good cure for sag to get back to a normal or slightly higher ride height, with a smooth ride.
Adding leaves will give higher ride height, greater load capacity, more stabile handling, AND a rougher ride. (You didn't expect that there would be no down-side, did you?)
If you can have the $$$, air bags or air shocks are the best way to have a good ride and be able to air up for more load capacity.
Adding leaves will give higher ride height, greater load capacity, more stabile handling, AND a rougher ride. (You didn't expect that there would be no down-side, did you?)
If you can have the $$$, air bags or air shocks are the best way to have a good ride and be able to air up for more load capacity.
Last edited by acheda; Apr 17, 2007 at 11:42 AM. Reason: add info
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2004
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I just had a set made from new old stock on my 66. These leaves are 2-1/4" wide as opposed to 2-1/2" or 3" and were had to find. The spring shop made me a set from two new sets. He was glad to do it since he wasn't sure he'd be selling them anytime soon. Cost me 200 bucks. 7 leaves
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 235
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From: Albany, Oregon
When $ was tighter (tighter than now) I started cutting firewood for some extra bill paying power. A trip to the wrecking yard for a set of 3/4 ton springs and a couple of larger U bolts and she worked much better. So much better that she threw an axle because I put too much on once (gready). The moral of the story is dont get greedy but 3/4 ton springs will make a world of difference but as stated above she rides like a tank. I later went to a set of air shocks and that was better for just the "typical" truck stuff.
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on the tank part with all the extra leafs my truck has in it it still rides moother than the 90 4x4 Trooper i have may also have something to do with the huge rear shocks it has on it or may be the way they did the leafs when they added then but it really isnt rough at all and alot smoother than the trooper
Ford Parts Specialist
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Originally Posted by onepeiceatatime
on the tank part with all the extra leafs my truck has in it it still rides moother than the 90 4x4 Trooper i have may also have something to do with the huge rear shocks it has on it or may be the way they did the leafs when they added then but it really isnt rough at all and alot smoother than the trooper
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no that is not it the trooper is a 4 door and is longer than the 62 was talking to my dad about the truck last night and even he thought it has a fairly smooth ride and yes he has drove it down a rough dirt road all i9n the way they did the modification i guess but it does ride smooth i can set a can of pop behind the shifter and run 20 down a dirt road and it stays right put if that gives you a idea
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From: Beldenville, WI
Originally Posted by NumberDummy
1966
5 Leafs were standard (1250 load rate); 9 leafs were optional (1650 load rate)
There was a 6 leaf spring used in 1965, but it had the same load rating as the 5 leaf from 1966.
These were the only F100 rear springs offered 1964/72.
5 Leafs were standard (1250 load rate); 9 leafs were optional (1650 load rate)
There was a 6 leaf spring used in 1965, but it had the same load rating as the 5 leaf from 1966.
These were the only F100 rear springs offered 1964/72.
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