I was just wondering if anyone has put on load helper springs. How do they affect the ride and do they raise the truck up at all? It would be on an 86 F-150.

Jon

 

Just got my Air Lift kit today. Most folks love 'em. Now I just need to make time to put 'em on!

 

I have a 93 F150 5.0 longbed that I installed Hellwig progressive rate helper springs on in 1995 to improve the handling when towing a 23 ft travel trailer. These are multi-leaf and mount above the springs and I believe they were 2500 lb capacity. Since they are adjustable I set them to the minimum, just enough tension to keep them from rattling although they still rattle on speed bumps. There is no appearent lift in the rear and only a slight increase in stiffness. The truck rides level with a 5 ft round bale of hay in the bed. Prior to installing the springs I needed a 5 in. offset ball mount turned upward to give the trailer jack enough road clearance. I also had a lot of sway when semi's would pass and the headlights were aimed at the trees. In 1997 I made a cross country trip towing a car trailer with an antique auto and could hardly tell I was towing anything. I feel they were well worth the money, about $170, and when I wear out this truck I will install a set on the next truck.

 

Load springs help even things out, but remember that the axle is the same as it was before. Please use caution and do not overload the vehicle.

 

I have a set of Firestone airbags that are sitting on the porch waiting to go on an F350 SRW. But I havn't done it because I'm afraid I'll overload the tires. Even with 3000 on the bed and 750 on the tounge, the truck rides level as is. I've thought of taking out the 3" spacers and adding the airbags to have the truck ride level regardless of loaded or unloaded. You should be a little concerned about overloading your tires also. With the F150's being 15" you may have to put on some extra duty tires to make good use of the helper springs. I have some General 15" tires on my ranger that are rated at 2200 lbs and I know Kumho makes similarly rated 15" tires. That would give you over a ton of weight carrying capacity on your tires. Keep in mind also that your braking capacity isn't designed for the extra weight either, but adding the helper springs would definately be a step in the right direction if you must carry heavy weight with the 150. It would at least keep your front end from getting too light.
Tony

 

I was just wondering if anyone can tell me the load capacity for a 1990 F-150.
It is a 5-speed/ 2wd/ 300-6cyl.
I have installed the 750lb rated Helper springs and have a higher rated tire (Yokahama 30X9.50 Geolander 50psi)

Thank you,

Drill Sgt

 

I run air shocks. They level out the truck, but I am careful not to overload it. You can also use them to raise an empty truck a few inches, a lot simpler to install than a lift kit.

Jim

 

Like has been said already don't overload the truck the rear axle in a 1/2 ton is a semi floater by its design with only one wheelbearing on each end of the axle tube its fairly weak. Overload springs are designed to help carry the manufacturers rating better they are not designed to increase the load rating. It really bugs me to hear guys bragging it up how they got a 3/4 ton suspension in the back of their 1/2 ton truck. That doesn't really mean a damn thing the axle under that 3/4 ton suspension can't handle the load put on it I learned along time ago get a 3/4 ton truck to carry a 3/4 ton truck load.

 

The GVWR sticker on the door jam will tell you how much overall weight you can put in it, including the trucks weight, passangers, and anything you put in it. You shouldn't have a problem with tires, my BFG all terrains have a capacity of somewhere near 2300lbs each, so thats 9200 lbs, which i won't even come close to that with, they have a "C" load range and are 15". I believe the 15-16" doesn't matter, the only reason for a bigger rim, is to allow bigger brakes on the larger trucks. If you have a low profile tire like on a lightning, they can't carry much weight at all, the tow capacity on those are like 3,000lbs, in conjunction with the lowered suspension. So 15-16" tires don't really make a difference in my opinion.

You shouldn't use air shocks, the brackets were not made for it, and if you put enough stress on them, you'll snap the mount right off. The one on the bottom is ok, but the one on the top mounted to the frame will break right off. You've been fine so far, but hit a nasty bump and you have a much higher risk of breaking it.



Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster American Thunder Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .

That's it for mods now, saving for a Stang. Check out my Gallery for a look-see.