more towing capacity!!
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Senior User
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more towing capacity!!
1994 F150 302 2wd
I seem to be hauling more weight these days, full truck and trailers together! and its a little much for the old girl to handle.
I have added one leaf spring, which has done me good until recently.
I have a complete 3" wide spring setup with the factory lif blocks from a 1995 4x4 would that make any difference? are they much stronger than the 2.5"??
I seem to be hauling more weight these days, full truck and trailers together! and its a little much for the old girl to handle.
I have added one leaf spring, which has done me good until recently.
I have a complete 3" wide spring setup with the factory lif blocks from a 1995 4x4 would that make any difference? are they much stronger than the 2.5"??
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Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Davis & Newcastle, CA
If you're talking about pulling trailers and such BEHIND the truck (as opposed to cargo in the bed) then you should be looking more towards gears and steering components to make the truck pull better. Suspension isn't going to do much unless your truck is sagging a lot due to heavy trailer tongue weight. If that's the case I suggest you load the trailer with the weight more centered over the wheels (proper way to load it).
What gears does the truck have right now? Any how much weight are you trying to pull on average?
What gears does the truck have right now? Any how much weight are you trying to pull on average?
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I carry alot of weight in the bed sometimes and then hook up a loaded trailer!! wow she sags,
I believe I have 308 gears, trailers are always loaded properly, but thanks.
weight could be anywhere from a 1000 to 2000 lbs.
I work with structural steel, just to put things into perspective, mobile welder in the back along with a greenlee job box that is loaded, and tool boxes etc...
I believe I have 308 gears, trailers are always loaded properly, but thanks.
weight could be anywhere from a 1000 to 2000 lbs.
I work with structural steel, just to put things into perspective, mobile welder in the back along with a greenlee job box that is loaded, and tool boxes etc...
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Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Davis & Newcastle, CA
1000-2000 on a trailer is no problem at all. But if you do feel like your truck is underpowered its because you have a horrible engine/gears combo. The 302 isn't a very good pulling motor to begin with and those 3.08 gears are MUCH to short for any kind of weight. I would suggest changing to 3.73s at the least, if not up to 4.10s. You're gas mileage will suffer more and more the lower you go, so keep that in mind.
Get those gears changed!! That is the MAJOR weak link in your system and you're not doing your truck any good by pulling weight with the 302/3.08 combo.
Get those gears changed!! That is the MAJOR weak link in your system and you're not doing your truck any good by pulling weight with the 302/3.08 combo.
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Alright, What are your thoughts on the 3" springs for strength as opposed to the 2.5" I have a crack in my one shackle, and with that complete set sitting around that are in great shape, I am not sure if a swap is worth while or just change the shackle?
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From: Davis & Newcastle, CA
Originally Posted by JRCF
Alright, What are your thoughts on the 3" springs for strength as opposed to the 2.5" I have a crack in my one shackle, and with that complete set sitting around that are in great shape, I am not sure if a swap is worth while or just change the shackle?
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No I agree it will not help with the pulling power,
But I would like to get rid of the sagging issue, I drive with the bed full on a daily basis. And then up the gears to 355's
Should I leave the factory blocks in? that would mean I would need new shocks then?
But I would like to get rid of the sagging issue, I drive with the bed full on a daily basis. And then up the gears to 355's
Should I leave the factory blocks in? that would mean I would need new shocks then?
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Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Davis & Newcastle, CA
Depends on how high your rear gets raised from the 4wd springs (if at all). Shocks have a bit of wiggle room as to the height of your truck but of course there's a limit. If you want to minimize the amount of lift you get from this job, keep your factory blocks, as long as the width and depth of the blocks are the same (and they might not be since the 4wd springs are 3" wide.
I don't really have much experience with this swap so I can't off a hole lot of info on how to go about doing it. I'm sure someone else will be along shortly to offer their 2 cents.
If you are planning on pulling some weight with this truck I might suggest you go a little lower than 3.55s. While it would make a big difference from your 3.08s, 3.55s are still not optimal for towing heavy loads. Just a suggestion.
I don't really have much experience with this swap so I can't off a hole lot of info on how to go about doing it. I'm sure someone else will be along shortly to offer their 2 cents.
If you are planning on pulling some weight with this truck I might suggest you go a little lower than 3.55s. While it would make a big difference from your 3.08s, 3.55s are still not optimal for towing heavy loads. Just a suggestion.
Last edited by Skandocious; Jan 13, 2008 at 09:54 PM.
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Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,816
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From: Davis & Newcastle, CA
You will definitely see a difference in fuel mileage. Use this calculator see the difference in RPMs between the initial and final setup:
http://www.wallaceracing.com/gear-speed.php
That will be a fairly good indicator of the difference in mileage. If you don't know the final gear ratio for your transmission, use this website:
http://www.thepontiactransampage.com/transgears.html
Are you running stock-size tires?
http://www.wallaceracing.com/gear-speed.php
That will be a fairly good indicator of the difference in mileage. If you don't know the final gear ratio for your transmission, use this website:
http://www.thepontiactransampage.com/transgears.html
Are you running stock-size tires?
Last edited by Skandocious; Jan 13, 2008 at 10:10 PM.
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
I vote 3.73 as well, and the best thing you could do with the springs is add a leaf or 2, blocks don't help the load capacity any. The gears won't impact your milage much.. may actually improve it around town because the throttle won't be floored all the time just to get moving. If you don't do a ton of highway driving go all the way to 4.10.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 957
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From: Winchendon MA
What the code on your door tag?
G= 1350 lbs
I'm putting in the 2200 lbs spring this comeing weekend
Try this link.
http://www.generalspringkc.com/index...parent=77&pg=1
Nice guy knows his stuff and best price i found on the net yet.
44Dwarf
No conection with hime i'm in MA.
G= 1350 lbs
I'm putting in the 2200 lbs spring this comeing weekend
Try this link.
http://www.generalspringkc.com/index...parent=77&pg=1
Nice guy knows his stuff and best price i found on the net yet.
44Dwarf
No conection with hime i'm in MA.
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