F150 leafspring swap
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Senior User
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From: Tennessee
F150 leafspring swap
I was wondering how labor intensive it would be to swap the stock leaf springs in my 86 F 150 to the heavier duty F250 springs.. Only questions are.. Are the springs the same length and if not do they make aftermarket spring perches to cut the old ones out so the 250 springs will fit on the 8.8 rear end
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Cook Forest and Irwin PA
the relative position of the axle is always the same - has to be or else they would sell beds with different wheel openings. that being said, if the 250 springs are longer then its the front that is relocated - the rear is at the end.
im of the opinion - without measuring - that they are the same. the last big truck I did was a f350 and it even used the same hangers
im of the opinion - without measuring - that they are the same. the last big truck I did was a f350 and it even used the same hangers
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What perfect timing im right in the middle of this on my 95 f150 too. my only question is, is your truck a 2wd or 4wd? if its a 2wd you are gonna have to change spring perches and hangars because the f150 2wd trucks springs are 2 1/2" wide. the f150/250 4wd are 3" wide. so basically if your truck is a 4wd you can directly swap any f250 spring into it. i personally got a set of springs out of a 95 f250 i found locally on craigslist. as for labor intensive if your from the north your gonna need a torch because the spring shackle bolts are gonna be seized in real good inside that rubber bushing.
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From: Tennessee
its a 2wd with a 117 WB. which basically means I might be better off looking to add a helper springs to the existing stack rather than go through all the work of getting a set of boneyard 250 springs perches and hangars
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yeah its gonna be easier to just get helper springs at a parts store or else go to the junk yard and get another set of 2wd f150 springs, maybe off a newer 95-95 f150 and use them to add you your current spring pack. remember the springs are the same from 80-96. you can add leafs to your current pack with no probs and that would add to the carrying capacity.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Cook Forest and Irwin PA
so its a light duty pack, you can do good just getting springs off another F150 with a higher spring rating. I think that f250 rears are 3" wide regardless of 2x4 or 4x4, whereas the F150/F100 differentiate.
fwiw, I replaced the light duty 4700GVWR springs from my 81 F100 2wd with 5450 GVWR springs from an 89 F150 2wd. straight up, hangers and all. the 750lb capacity was all the difference - far better than the helper I had in there.
fwiw, I replaced the light duty 4700GVWR springs from my 81 F100 2wd with 5450 GVWR springs from an 89 F150 2wd. straight up, hangers and all. the 750lb capacity was all the difference - far better than the helper I had in there.
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From: Tennessee
thats the problem I cant figure out what GVWR set of springs I have other than the simple method of finding two diffrent 150's and counting the number of springs in the stacks
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Postmaster
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yeah its gonna be easier to just get helper springs at a parts store or else go to the junk yard and get another set of 2wd f150 springs, maybe off a newer 95-95 f150 and use them to add you your current spring pack. remember the springs are the same from 80-96. you can add leafs to your current pack with no probs and that would add to the carrying capacity.
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I seem to be a bit lost here, not looking for an argument but some clarification. what do the axles have anything to do with the carrying capacity? it doesnt matter if he has an 8.8 under there or a dana 70. sure the dana 70 is going to have a theoretical higher breaking strength due to a larger ring and pinion and beefier axles but hes talking about increasing his payload capacity. for instance his stock springs may be rated at a 1600lb payload capacity. he swaps in a set rated at 2500lbs. ok now its rated for a 2500lb payload. correct? i dont think this guy was talking about gross vehicle weight, he just wants to increase his payload/towing capability a little, and hes going in the right direction with my statements.
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also the 8.8 is a great axle. theres a reason why jeep guys pull out their dana 30's and 44's and swap in 8.8's, because they are cheap to work on and very strong. check out the mustang forums online. 8-10 sec 1/4 mile times are proof enough for me that they are strong. if they can handle that kinda dragstrip abuse i think they can handle a small light duty pickup truck.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: East Tennessee
I still prefer helper springs in a truck that hauls a lot. I have them on my truck, and it really keeps the truck from squatting. I have pictures of my truck with and without a load of wood in my gallery if you want to compare. Almost a must have for any hard work 1/2 ton, unless you don't mind 'looking' overloaded all the time, lol.
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Payload capacity is directly related to axle diameter.
You can just add more springs and safely haul more weight.
Heavy duty axles are much thicker than an 8.8 or 9 inch rear and can haul more weight (payload or whatever else you want to call it). Overloading the truck with more weight than the axle is rated for is an accident waiting to happen.
You can just add more springs and safely haul more weight.
Heavy duty axles are much thicker than an 8.8 or 9 inch rear and can haul more weight (payload or whatever else you want to call it). Overloading the truck with more weight than the axle is rated for is an accident waiting to happen.
Postmaster
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also the 8.8 is a great axle. theres a reason why jeep guys pull out their dana 30's and 44's and swap in 8.8's, because they are cheap to work on and very strong. check out the mustang forums online. 8-10 sec 1/4 mile times are proof enough for me that they are strong. if they can handle that kinda dragstrip abuse i think they can handle a small light duty pickup truck.
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From: Virginia
I seem to be a bit lost here, not looking for an argument but some clarification. what do the axles have anything to do with the carrying capacity? it doesnt matter if he has an 8.8 under there or a dana 70. sure the dana 70 is going to have a theoretical higher breaking strength due to a larger ring and pinion and beefier axles but hes talking about increasing his payload capacity. for instance his stock springs may be rated at a 1600lb payload capacity. he swaps in a set rated at 2500lbs. ok now its rated for a 2500lb payload. correct? i dont think this guy was talking about gross vehicle weight, he just wants to increase his payload/towing capability a little, and hes going in the right direction with my statements.
On a heavy duty f250 with a Dana or Ford sterling axle, the axle does not even support the weight of the vehicle. It has two very heavy duty bearings that support the load, and the axle's job is to just turn the wheels for forward motion. Unlike a 8.8, where the axle does support the weight.
The only thing I have heard negative about the 8.8, is on high mileage units, the axles may have to eventually be replace because the wheel bearing id runs directly on the axle itself. So if you end up having a bearing problem, it may ruin the axle itself.