No overload spring
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,092
Likes: 145
From: San Diego, CA
I guess I can't leave it alone.
Your GVWR doesn't have to do with what springs are under it. Your GVWR is pre-determined, it's 8800 lbs. It just is. What determined the GVWR is your cab style, your bed length and your engine (overall length, frame and engine). The GVWR of the same truck you have, but gas is probably 200 or 400 lbs less, but it'll have the same rear springs.
The F350 will get a higher GVWR, but it's essentially in name only. I say essentially because it does come with a higher block under the rear springs, which allows it to squat more before bottoming out (and an overload spring). If you have a F250, with camper package for example, it doesn't change the GVWR, it'd still be 8800 with or without the camper package, but it'd have an overload spring (and still have the same spring pack as the F350); however, the F350 would still have a higher GVWR even though the actual parts under it are exactly the same between the two trucks, save for the taller rear block.
Regardless of your suspension components, your GVWR is 8800, camper package (overload spring) or not. With an F350 your GVWR would be higher, regardless of the components under the truck. Your GVWR doesn't go up due to the springs under it. It goes up or down based on engine and overall length of the vehicle, and whether it's badged as an F250 or F350. Again, it may not make a lot of sense from a parts or engineering standpoint, but it's not so much about that. If you put a F350 block under an F250 they'd be the same, but the GVWR would never change. The F250 (yours for example) would always be 8800 lbs. If you put an overload spring under yours (or if it came with or without one stock) it wouldn't change the GVWR. Payload capacity could change depending on your options and passengers, but GVWR would not.
Your GVWR doesn't have to do with what springs are under it. Your GVWR is pre-determined, it's 8800 lbs. It just is. What determined the GVWR is your cab style, your bed length and your engine (overall length, frame and engine). The GVWR of the same truck you have, but gas is probably 200 or 400 lbs less, but it'll have the same rear springs.
The F350 will get a higher GVWR, but it's essentially in name only. I say essentially because it does come with a higher block under the rear springs, which allows it to squat more before bottoming out (and an overload spring). If you have a F250, with camper package for example, it doesn't change the GVWR, it'd still be 8800 with or without the camper package, but it'd have an overload spring (and still have the same spring pack as the F350); however, the F350 would still have a higher GVWR even though the actual parts under it are exactly the same between the two trucks, save for the taller rear block.
Regardless of your suspension components, your GVWR is 8800, camper package (overload spring) or not. With an F350 your GVWR would be higher, regardless of the components under the truck. Your GVWR doesn't go up due to the springs under it. It goes up or down based on engine and overall length of the vehicle, and whether it's badged as an F250 or F350. Again, it may not make a lot of sense from a parts or engineering standpoint, but it's not so much about that. If you put a F350 block under an F250 they'd be the same, but the GVWR would never change. The F250 (yours for example) would always be 8800 lbs. If you put an overload spring under yours (or if it came with or without one stock) it wouldn't change the GVWR. Payload capacity could change depending on your options and passengers, but GVWR would not.
The light bulb is on. If only I would have known that that last loop to make a '3' out of the '2' in my badge would be worth 800lbs
.The payload capacity is based off of what you can load on your unsprung weight (springs, axles, wheels and tires).
The GVWR is what your truck can safely handle and make it down the road. Depending on your options will change your truck's weight. the GVWR minus your truck's weight is what you can safely carry (people, tools, animals, stuff). It may be higher or lower than your payload capacity.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,751
Likes: 3
From: So Oregon
Your payload changes, but your GVWR doesn't. So, yes to your question, sort of. Say your GVWR is 8800 lbs. Say your truck weighs 6000. You have 2800 payload. Add a driver and passenger and it just went down by the weight of the person(s). Say you're parked next to an identical truck but he has A/C and you don't. Your payload is higher than his because you have the weight of the A/C unit left to play with and he doesn't (your trucks actual weight will be less than his by the weight of the a/c compressor and associated things). Your payload changes based on options (is a bench seat less weight than captain's chairs or vice versa), passengers and stuff you put in the bed, but your GVWR does not change. Is that clear as mud?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,881
Likes: 84
From: Wake Forest, NC
Vice versa, if I have A codes (which I know I do now because I looked at my door label and replaced them with factory springs ordered by the vin after my accident) then what denotes an A code with or without the aux spring on top?
This set of info is making more sense than a lot of it i've seen in the past, especially about the A,B,C code rear springs. A lot I've seen in the past maintained that the SRW trucks had the same springs which made slightly less sense.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,751
Likes: 3
From: So Oregon
I had it backwards.
By the way, I take it all back. Each truck manufactured has a different set of springs, they're all different, your's, mine, my buddy with the F350 that's just like mine and anyone else. Mine are even different from side to side. Whew that felt good. I'm tired....
By the way, I take it all back. Each truck manufactured has a different set of springs, they're all different, your's, mine, my buddy with the F350 that's just like mine and anyone else. Mine are even different from side to side. Whew that felt good. I'm tired....
New User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Are those the short little springs on top and the ends dont really touch anything. My truck is an 01 F250 CC 4x4 lariat. The front springs are the smaller 4800 I believe. The rears are the #6000+ springs. Truck also has airbargs and these short springs. What does all this mean?
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From: Brunswick, Maryland
Brian, do you think they have different spring packs, or the "B" references whether it comes with the auxillary/overload spring (I stated it backward above about A and B)? Do you think there are two different spring packs?
I'm going to leave it alone after this, but the trucks have the same springs; however, the F350 comes standard with the overload spring giving you a heavier overall rating. The F250 has the same spring pack, without the overload as standard; however, it does have the overload with a suspension "package".
I'm going to leave it alone after this, but the trucks have the same springs; however, the F350 comes standard with the overload spring giving you a heavier overall rating. The F250 has the same spring pack, without the overload as standard; however, it does have the overload with a suspension "package".
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,751
Likes: 3
From: So Oregon
Not confusing to me, in that you have an overload spring and B code. Seems consistent, at least in that the springs are the same, except the overload spring. At least that's the way I'm reading your post. The fact you have the B code/overload spring, I don't know. It'd be interesting, to me anyway, to look over your build sheet or sticker. I wonder if you got your build sheet from Ford if it would show why you have "F350" suspension.
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From: Brunswick, Maryland
I don't know either and it's not shown on the window sticker. The spring code on the door jam is DB if that is of any help. Remember that this is a 2wd vehicle also if that would make any difference. It is just a regular cab xl w/137" wb 5.4 auto with the only options being the auto. trans., 3.73 limited slip rearend and ac.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,092
Likes: 145
From: San Diego, CA
My truck has the trailer tow package and A code rear springs with an overload, so I give up! 
I bought it used so for all I know the previous owner put it on.
This reminds me of when I was shopping for my truck. I drove a Lariat 250 that had manual seats, no backup sensor, no adjustable pedals and a radio that was only AM/FM/cassette (no CD changer). Everything else I guess in an option. Maybe the springs are that way too. Since my tow prep package has A code, maybe the camper package has B code and that either gets you an overload spring (which is the curvy one on top that doesn't touch anything, that's for padec21). Maybe they just reach into a bin at the factory and put on the first ones that fit and that's what you get.
All I know is that I have V code up front and A code in back with the overload spring. How it got there I don't know, but I'll enjoy them and use them just the same!
Heck, my Lariat doesn't have the backup sensor or heated seats, so anything's possible.
I bought it used so for all I know the previous owner put it on.This reminds me of when I was shopping for my truck. I drove a Lariat 250 that had manual seats, no backup sensor, no adjustable pedals and a radio that was only AM/FM/cassette (no CD changer). Everything else I guess in an option. Maybe the springs are that way too. Since my tow prep package has A code, maybe the camper package has B code and that either gets you an overload spring (which is the curvy one on top that doesn't touch anything, that's for padec21). Maybe they just reach into a bin at the factory and put on the first ones that fit and that's what you get.
All I know is that I have V code up front and A code in back with the overload spring. How it got there I don't know, but I'll enjoy them and use them just the same!
Heck, my Lariat doesn't have the backup sensor or heated seats, so anything's possible.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From: Brunswick, Maryland
There is another truck in my neighborhood like mine (standard cab xl 2wd) and the same body style as my 2001 with the exception that it is an F350 and , guess what, it doesn't have an overload spring like my F250 does.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From: Brunswick, Maryland
While we're on the subject of rear springs would someone please explain the 2" and 4" blocks and is it the same for a 2wd truck vs a 4wd. For example does the 2" block mean that the leaf spring pack sits 2" off of the axle housing. The reason I'm asking is because on my 2wd F250 the spring sits almost exactly 1" above the axle housing, not 2 or 4. Inquiring minds want to know (ha ha).
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,092
Likes: 145
From: San Diego, CA
Good question. I know that my 4wd sits higher than a 2wd, so you could easily have a slightly shorter block under your rear springs. The 2" vs. 4" is between an F-250 (2") and F-350 (4"). I've never measured my rear block, but I have a 4wd and always assumed it was 2" for all F-250's. Maybe there's a difference between 2wd and 4wd also?