I have a 99 F250 SB and the rear sits lower than the front. I measured the ground to the top of the wheel well's and it is the same front and rear. The guy before me had bigger tires on it but I am not sure if he did mods to the suspension. Can anyone tell me what number of leafs I should have front and rear? Also... How could I tell if an alteration was made to the suspension?

Thanks

 

How much has your tuck been used to tow? Theres a good chance that the rear springs are just worn out. A free estimate from your local spring shop should answer all your questions.

I ended up adding rear air bags to my truck to help with my tired springs.

 

the front should have only 2 leafs. if there is more than that there is a leveling kit on it. if there is only 2 then like F350-6 said the rears might be worn out. They are around $300 for the set from ford. Also being a 99 it should have 4 in blocks in the rear. Not sure if all 99 do or just the early build date ones(had one). Im not sure about the rear leafs. Ive added afew to mine. I think there are 4(might be 5) not sure.

 

sounds like it has a leveling kit on it. a lot of guys do that because they don't like the looks of the rear being higher. but if you use it like a truck and actually put something in it or tow with it then the rear sits lower and looks a whole lot worse than if you'd left the front alone.
likely you have a combination of leveling kit installed and some worn rear springs if it sags in the rear when empty

 

Same with my 04 F-350 CC I had to put air bags in to help out the springs also the airbags were cheaper than the springs were going to be. Plus when I ship it down the road for my new one I am going to take them out and sell them to buy a set for the new truck. You wouldn't do that with springs. Just my two cents.

 

more comfortable to ride on springs than air bags thats why they're usually used to help with excess weight not empty bed

 

I don't quite agree with ya there. My air bags with only 40 lbs in them give about 3" lift empty and I can feel a difference in the ride but it is minimal at best. These are work trucks not Lincolns.

 

i know couple times with alot of rock i wished i had air bags, im just more of a fix whats broke don't tape it together. bad springs i say replace the springs i never had air bags before i know one buddy with them his truck rides alot harder and he isnt like us that work in our trucks so the ride part gets to him, i think this is a depends on application

 

More than likely the reason the rear of your F250 is sagging lower than the front is that it has the snowplow package in it. It is very noticable in the 250's but not the 350's because the 350 rear end naturally sits higher than the 250. I have seen many 250's riding around here with the same look and they were fairly new so I would say it is probably not a spring problem. Alot of guys just go out and get a set of 350 rear blocks to raise it up a bit.

 

I agree 100%

 

As for the "tape it together" idea, I put air bags in my truck 6 months ago due to the fact I was looking to trade my truck in within the next 4-6 months. I did get a price on new spring and it was going to cost $750 to go that route whereas the airbags cost $279 and they are coming with me when it goes. I'm more of a don't like to waste money kinda guy.

 

$750! where did you get a price like that??? I replaced the rear srings in my 99 for $300(both sides) I bought them from ford.

 

McFarland spring Portland, Me. that was installed. like I was saying I was not planning to keep the truck. I also say that the ride did not change much so for me it was a no brainer.

 

then why did they put airbags on lincolns

 

if springs are gonna cost that much more than who cares how much longer you keep it thats just too much i never heard of paying that much. i can't tell you why they put them on lincolns but i imagine if you want a softer ride you would leave the bag completely deflated because adding air would be the same as putting on a stiffer spring thus making ride a little harsher.

i work out of my truck and it already most definantly rides like a truck more so than anything built after 99 i don't mind the ride its a truck i like it like that. i didnt mean any offense by tape it up i should have used better wording, i was just trying to say that if the springs have worn out i would replace them vs adding air bags im sorry for goin after anyone and i would have gone for bags too if the price was that different.

gotta a question though- i thought the snow plow package that involves slightly stronger front springs and added support for the plow up front possibly making the front sit lower from extra weight why would the back sag from a plow when the weight is on the front? usually plowing makes the front sag and people have to add a leaf or mini-pack to get the front back up from it?

just tryin to learn, sorry bout gettin on anyone