Was curious if anyone thought that a mini spring pack from a superduty would work for leveling a highboy. I know that some people are using superduty springs, why wouldn't the mini packs work?? It would be an alternative to an add-a-leave. Just thought I would check in before I tried it out...

 

Interesting idea, and there are several reasons why it should work, since the additional leafs are designed to make the spring pack larger / thicker providing additional lift.
WHile this seems like a reasonable option, here are a few reasons why I thing I might think twice about this alternative..
THe SD mini spring pack uses a combonation of leafs that have slightly more arch than the original SD leafs, and obviously will add to the stock spring packs thickness, much like usung a block. The advantage here is that the additional leafs provide support to the spring to help prevent axle wrap under acceleration (in 4x4) and the same axle wrap under braking during all conditions. Sice the mini sspring pack is actually attached to the original leafs, it makes for a justifiable concept.
Alright since the "Highboy" leafs already have a fair amount of arch, adding the SD mini spring pack probably will not gain much lift through additional arch.
Also, since the HB leafs are already a multi spring pack, adding additional leafs may be redundant, and migh not be such a great idea if two leafs end up being the same length. Two leafs with the same length are counter productive, and only make for a stiff ride.
This means that you might only end up using a few new leafs from the mini spring pack, or removing some from the original spring pack. Either way, I believe that the use of the mini spring pack would add so much resistance to an already stiff apring pack, that this option would create a very stiff ride, and limit articulation.
Keep in mind that the original trucks already ride like lumber wagons, and emphasis on articualtion was not the top priority back then.
Spring technology has changed quite a bit in 30 years, and one of the biggest reasons that many of us are using entire SD spring packs, is to gain all of the advantages of the softer, and better working spring.
While I am not saying that this idea is bad, or will not work, I am suggesting that it may not be such a good alternative.
If we compare the cost of a mini spring pack, VS the cost of a complete spring, the advatnages of using a complete spring far outweigh the pitfalls, or unkownd variables for using the mini spring pack with a stock HB spring.
Now, could this be used under the neg arch spring of the 77.5 ro 79 truck?
This might be a bit closer to the SD spring (only two leafs) and provide a better result.
SInce the HB leaf pack is a mulit leaf pack already, I am not confident that the results would be very benificial.
Just my $.02

 

I've spent lots of time looking in your gallery, you have one of the best looking pickups on the site. What superduty lift spring do you run? and what size tire are you running now? I was looking at a cheap alternative, but you do have a point about better ride, and new spring bushings always sounds like a good idea. I sold my superduty with 37's and told myself that I wasn't going to build another pickup that big, kind of a vicious circle isn't it?

 

Thank you so much for the very kind words. It is always appreciated when someone has something nice to say about another ride. Again thank you.
I use A BDS 8 inch front spring with two leafs removed. This helps with an even softer ride, and much better articulation.
I run 39.5 X 18" boggers on a 12" wide wheel. Fairly happy with it, but still working out some bugs.
Here is a comparisson of the red truck next to another stock 75 that I recently bought.
The brown one will get a similar set of 6" front springs, and thos will also lose a leaf or two. I do not want it as tall, but will enjoy the softer ride, and increased articulation.
Feel free to browse around my photobucket. There are many pics of the toys, and brief explainations of each one.
Image of Another shot of the new 75 - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

 

I agree, you do have one of the nicest rigs ive seen around...and ive seen a LOT of old dentsides.

 

And a thank you to you too.

 

Ed,
That is one cherry find of an old brown Ford...
I only regret that you don't live in Boise, ID so that we could hang out and you could teach better fab skills......
Those are some good lookin' Fords, I bet your neighbors love you as much as mine love me. Actually I get along well with all but one. She has issues and hates everyone......

 

My brother just installed a set of pro comp superduty 8" inch springs tonite which are almost half the price of BDS. He called a custom spring shop last week to make new springs and the guy talked him out of doing that and told him to go with the procomp's cuz at 170$ a side he couldn't see how they could even make a profit for that cheap and the quality of pro comp was equal to BDS and would ride better than stock. With his spring hanger drop longer shackles and springs with body lift it about 15" inches of lift now on 44" tires. The thing is HUGE I'll get him to post pics tomorrow....

 

Scott:
Thanks for the kind words on the UPS truck. The brown truck is alright for what it is. Has quite a bit of potential, and should be rolling on decent rubber, and a decent front axle soon.
I am in the works of buying a 79 F350 4x4, and another 74 HB (less engine). Time will tell. More work, and more projects than money permits, but this gas situation has many people running away from this old iron. I am gonna snag as many reasonable vehicles as money permits.

73 ford guy:
Pro Comp springs are a great alternative, and will provide many of the same benifits that other springs will offer. When I was buyinf springs, I found that the Pro Comp springs had less leafs than some of the others.
My springs had 11 leafs in the pack, and some others, like Deavers had as many as 14.
It has been my experience that spring packs with more leafs were able to disipate more heat than some with less leafs, and this permitted the use of softer individual leafs.
These thin leafs allowed greater flex, and a superior ride.
While I cant criticize the Pro Comp spring because I have yet to run a set, I can say that it is probably a reasonable choice.
I will be interested to hear the results, and maybe see some flex pics. Travel numbers will be interesting.
Shock mounts will also be very intersting. I would very much like to view the hangers and shackles.

 

Yeah people are getting rid of all there trucks due to gas prices.I'm not worried my truck is my toy. I have 4 years into my build now and I'm not about to just stop being about a month away from completion. I'll get some pics for ya this afternoon sometime. for the shock mounts I'm trying to get him to invert the uboltsfor the front axle(79' dana 60) with a 5/8 plate on top then he can mount the shock to that with a tab welded on. We both run crossover steering now so the mount on the passenger side of the axle had to be cut off and rewelded on back of axle tube(won't be used if he decides to go with ubolt plate) to make clearance for the new draglink that will be mounted to kingpin. If he uses stock axle shock location he will need shocks that are close to 3feet long so the other plate mount will decrese length of at least 4inches.

 

Image of shock mount - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

I was forced to make my own shock mounts to permit the amount of compression that the new springs would allow. These are a mock up shock, and the truck will get a 2.5" two tube bypass shock.
Probably will have to use only a 14" travel shock since I will be limiting compression in an attempt to save my fenders. I eat many front fenders.
These shocks measure 37.25" extended, and 23.25" collapsed, and my truck is not that big. I cant imagine a truck as the one you mentioned. Man that has got to be big.
Watch out with mounting the shock to the top of the spring pad. This mounting point limits extension travel (depending on the top mount).
There is a compromise, and sometimes simply mounting a real lomg shock is required to achieve full travel.

I went a different route on this one, Image of Front spring hanger - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting it works well, but the shock (not pictured) sits behind the axle (like a chebby) and has a top mount way up high.
Again a 14" travel king shock resides here, but not a bypass. It is a simple smooth body shock with an external reservoir. You can see that it also has jounce shocks, so the bypass shocks would have really been a little frilly for this application.
Not many jumps these trucks see, but on occasion, they do get in the air.

I am very interested to see some pics. I am always willing to learn different approaches to solve similar solutions.

 

 

spring hanger drop is 4 inch HSS tube drilled bolted and welded with a 5x5 3/8 angle between the two (makes it much cleaner looking and is a perfect point to wrap a strap around when wheeling) with the ends having a capped plate welding on. I had to modify my top shock mounts to fit eyehole style shocks compared to the old pins due to me not being able to get pin style shocks in a long enough length.

 

Shackle aren't anything special just 5/8 flat bar with holes punched. I do want to weld a brace in the middle someday..... O you can see the shock pin adapters I used on the bottom as well

 

Looks good. Nice job on the modification to the stock shock towers. Great idea, and looks like a pretty clean solution.
I have a question regarding the length of those springs. Do they measure a full 54 inches? That shackle angle would indicate that they are closer to 53 inches than they are to 54.
I only ask because I have been experimenting with different shackle angles, and the longer springs with more angle seem to ride better.
I am not criticizing, simply requesting some feedback for my own knowledge.
That is one big truck there!
Bet you cant wait to drive it huh?