Leaf spring evolution?
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Tuned
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 342
Likes: 5
From: Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Leaf spring evolution?
Could be one for the parts catalogue buffs...typically odd questions from yours truly.
Whats the difference between 4wd and 2wd rear leafs on '80 on F150?
How did the rear leafs' change over the years from '50 - '86 - spring length, mounting eye differences etc. (basically I have found a set of decambered leaf springs but the owner believes they are from a '53).
Thanks once again
Whats the difference between 4wd and 2wd rear leafs on '80 on F150?
How did the rear leafs' change over the years from '50 - '86 - spring length, mounting eye differences etc. (basically I have found a set of decambered leaf springs but the owner believes they are from a '53).
Thanks once again
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,330
Likes: 17
From: Dryden, ON, Canada
2wd F150 leafs are 2.5" wide, 4wd are 3" wide, same specs otherwise. I don't have measurements off hand, but, IIRC, the 3" wide springs are the same specs 73+ on the 1/2 tons. The 3/4 and 1 tons have the center pin about an inch further back.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,965
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From: Virginia
I have noticed different designs through the years. Some of the earlier trucks had the leaves all tied together in one pack, while I noticed my 80 f150 4wd had lightly sprung arched leaves on top for a good ride, and a thick heavy shorter leaf that was somewhat flatter on the bottom. This gave it a nice ride till you loaded it, and then it would squat till the upper leaves flattened out on the lower thicker leaf.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Application: 1968/72 F100/250 2WD w/ Flex-O-Matic spring suspension.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,760
Likes: 29
From: Northeast Nebraska
ok, here's a good one for u guys. my 81 f150's rear springs are shot and i bought a set off of an 85 f350. by wat i read above, it must be off of a 2wd and i've got the 4wd. also, they are 6 inches too short ( moron me probably should have, o wat's the word...measured?
).
my question isn't can i put them on...were there's a will there's a way...my question is should use them? i'm planning on using this truck for some gooseneck trailering and such, will these springs i bought hold? i would imagine so if they were off of a 350... how about my ride? pretty rough i would suppose.
what do u guys think? good idea, bad idea, does it matter?
). my question isn't can i put them on...were there's a will there's a way...my question is should use them? i'm planning on using this truck for some gooseneck trailering and such, will these springs i bought hold? i would imagine so if they were off of a 350... how about my ride? pretty rough i would suppose.
what do u guys think? good idea, bad idea, does it matter?
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,658
Likes: 5
From: Out of here
The limiting factor on your towing capacity is going to be your 8.8/9" rear axle, not the springs.
Towing a gooseneck trailer with any amount of weight with either of those axles is not a good idea.
Towing a gooseneck trailer with any amount of weight with either of those axles is not a good idea.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,760
Likes: 29
From: Northeast Nebraska
i understand that, and will probably swap axles some day, but i'm not planning on towing anything real big for the time being. would like it for like campers and small goose necks probably no longer than 20 or 25 feet. but am i better off finding a new set of springs that will bolt right up to my shackles or is it ok if i relocate my rear shackles to fit the springs that i have?
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
You should not have to relocate the shackles. All the springs are the same length. I believe there was another post about this somewhere, and what you are seeing is the extra arch of the higher capacity springs make them seem shorter. If they are flattened out a little bit, they become longer.
You might want to consider just taking both spring packs apart, and adding some of the 350 springs to the top of your original springs, sort like an add-a-leaf. Use c-clamps to squeeze them back together, and make a longer bolt for the center.
You might want to consider just taking both spring packs apart, and adding some of the 350 springs to the top of your original springs, sort like an add-a-leaf. Use c-clamps to squeeze them back together, and make a longer bolt for the center.