Front Leaf springs
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 423
From: Long Island USA
It's hard to say what you have in the front - it could be a range of different springs, going from "S" to "X". Look at the sticker on the door, it should have a spring code. Look it up in the tech folder at the top of this forum.
The front springs are different depending on cab size, bed size, engine, "heavy-service suspension" (one step up in front springs and overloads in the back) or "plow package", or you name it.
On my 2001, with only 28K miles but almost all stop-and-go and other abusive use, the front springs are starting to sag. I'm considering either a leveling kit, or a new set of springs that are a step or two up from my old ones. My current front springs are "T".
The front springs are different depending on cab size, bed size, engine, "heavy-service suspension" (one step up in front springs and overloads in the back) or "plow package", or you name it.
On my 2001, with only 28K miles but almost all stop-and-go and other abusive use, the front springs are starting to sag. I'm considering either a leveling kit, or a new set of springs that are a step or two up from my old ones. My current front springs are "T".
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,620
Likes: 3
From: WARRINGTON, PA
most people install the v code front springs. in my excursion, it lifted the front up almost 2".. you could go the leveling kit way. i would only go with the kit from donahoe racing. its a mini spring pack that installs on top of your factory spring. it comes with new u-bolts. and you can keep everything else stock. shocks and all. it is guarenteed to lift the front end 2". and its like only $195..
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 473
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From: Flagstaff, AZ
The front springs on my 1999 are really sagging. I have a winch on the front which I think contributed to the sagging. Does anybody know what new front springs from the factory would run? I've taken it to some 4x4 shops and of course they all want to sell me a 4" lift kit. I wanted to go with a Rancho 2 1/2 inch leveling kit but they are telling me that since it is an early 1999 the Rancho won't work. They also said the fronts are sagging so much that a mini-spring kit wouldn't help either.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,620
Likes: 3
From: WARRINGTON, PA
the mini spring pack is almost like adding a block. i think the person you spoke to was probably thinking that you were talking about an add-a-leaf. mini spring pack will NOT effect your factory springs. it WILL most certainly add 2" of height to where your truck is now. donahoe says it will work with ANY factory ford leaf spring. sagging or not.
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Originally Posted by RACERX7775
the mini spring pack is almost like adding a block. i think the person you spoke to was probably thinking that you were talking about an add-a-leaf. mini spring pack will NOT effect your factory springs. it WILL most certainly add 2" of height to where your truck is now. donahoe says it will work with ANY factory ford leaf spring. sagging or not.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 473
Likes: 0
From: Flagstaff, AZ
OK, I just measured from the center of the wheel well to the ground on my truck, and my front end is 4 inches lower than the rear! So the 2" mini spring pack isn't going to do the trick. Since I don't want to lift the vehicle, is my only option going to be to buy new springs from the factory?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,881
Likes: 84
From: Wake Forest, NC
You could see if you could have your springs rearched. Usually a spring place will want to sell you new springs and adjust them for the arch since it will usually work better on a new spring vs one that has become sagged. I forget the names, but do a search for springs. There are some places that sell and ship factory replacement springs and could set the ride height. Most likely you are looking to raise the front 4 inches, meaning probably 2 inches higher than the factory. So even Ford springs won't do what you are looking for. If your springs are sagged that bad I would put new ones in anyway to restore the travel as well. The mini "spring" pack won't do much for the suspension in general other than space the axle away from the factory spring increasing the static ride height. I would figure $200 per spring, give or take.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,620
Likes: 3
From: WARRINGTON, PA
if its a difference of 4" from the rear, its because the frontt sagged 2". the rear is usually 2" higher that the front on almost all trucks. its so when you load the rear, it will actually be leveled out. if you never put anything in the bed you have a couple options.
get a pair of 4" lift front springs,
buy a set of factory springs and add the mini spring pack which will give you 2" from the mini pack and 2" from the factory V code front springs,
just do a factory spring so the rear sits 2" higher,
just do the mini pack so the rear sits 2" higher,
get a pair of 4" lift front springs,
buy a set of factory springs and add the mini spring pack which will give you 2" from the mini pack and 2" from the factory V code front springs,
just do a factory spring so the rear sits 2" higher,
just do the mini pack so the rear sits 2" higher,