Going from coils to leafs
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 490
Likes: 0
Going from coils to leafs
I am posting for a buddy. He's got a 78 F150 and wants to leaf the front when upgrading to one tons that he just got for a pretty good deal. The axle's are from an 89 F350. Just wondering what some options are for hangin leaf springs up there and what to do with steering. He wants to use 6'' SD springs. Is there gonna be some issues with going to leafs since the later trucks had a wider frame in the front and that driver side perch doesnt have any room to move inward. How can we make it work?
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 510
Likes: 0
How much fabrication does he want to do? I think that will be the only limit to putting the leafs under it. Springs will definatly be on the outside of the frame. Maybe a front crossmember that seconds as the front mounts. Steering should be the same as the earlier kingpins. I know these axles are not ideal for that era truck but it is hard to pass on a good deal. The driveshaft is where I have had the most trouble. I'm putting a BJ 60 under a 79 F150. In stock axle location the angles are horrible. Pushing my front forward helped tremendously.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,948
Likes: 44
The front hanger is the easy part, its the rear shackle that makes this the interesting thing. Keep in mind that these truck typicaaly use a 3" wide front spring and the diffrence in width is only 2.5 inches per side. This means that the spring is not really a true outboard, so the spring still sits partially under the frame. This also means that typical shackles are more difficult to install and support.
Not impossible, but keeping reasonable caster has to be kept in mind when attempting this particular install.
If you are using an 89 front axle, then it is still a KP axle and can use a typical steering arm that bolts to the pass side knuckle. X-over steering is not an issue with this axle like the post 92 axles would be.
Not impossible, but keeping reasonable caster has to be kept in mind when attempting this particular install.
If you are using an 89 front axle, then it is still a KP axle and can use a typical steering arm that bolts to the pass side knuckle. X-over steering is not an issue with this axle like the post 92 axles would be.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 0
From: Fl
I did it. I took a regular spring hanger, cut it down and welded onto a 3/8's flat plate steel. Welded it to the frame and made supports with L-angle. The front crossmember was easy, 36.5" to center of the perches, make sure its centered and weld away.
To be honest though, I would have much rather used the 78/79 D-60 that bolts right up. You can still use your SD springs, but withough all the fab. I was always worried I didnt do it right, or something wasnt supported enough. I didnt like that feeling, and would really like to do it over again.
It was my first fab job like that and I guess I did ok since I have beat the ever living hell out of the truck and they are still holding. But still, if you got the axles for a good price you can make some profit on them and get the money to buy the right axle...
I did have this problem too. Under hard compression the spring would flex so much that it would bind up and get stuck. Also, the angle I use for my cross support broke, which i figured it would, so it was replaced with 3/8" L-angle as well.
To be honest though, I would have much rather used the 78/79 D-60 that bolts right up. You can still use your SD springs, but withough all the fab. I was always worried I didnt do it right, or something wasnt supported enough. I didnt like that feeling, and would really like to do it over again.
It was my first fab job like that and I guess I did ok since I have beat the ever living hell out of the truck and they are still holding. But still, if you got the axles for a good price you can make some profit on them and get the money to buy the right axle...
I did have this problem too. Under hard compression the spring would flex so much that it would bind up and get stuck. Also, the angle I use for my cross support broke, which i figured it would, so it was replaced with 3/8" L-angle as well.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 490
Likes: 0
Thanks for the info guys! This doesn't seem to hard to accomplish, I am pretty good at welding and fab however my buddy is not so I'm sure I get volunteered to do most of it.
I also found a sweet sweet deal on a dana 60 front! Its a 79 for 500 bucks! Gotta love craigslist. I'm picking it up tuesday. I called and asked a few questions to make sure it was a dana 60 cause it was out of an f250 and he sent me pics, called him back and told him to take the posting off craigslist and I'll be there tuesday with cash in hand! 4 1/2 hour drive but i dont care. Wish I would of listened along time ago and put all the money into a dana 60 that i put in my 44. Lesson learned lol
I also found a sweet sweet deal on a dana 60 front! Its a 79 for 500 bucks! Gotta love craigslist. I'm picking it up tuesday. I called and asked a few questions to make sure it was a dana 60 cause it was out of an f250 and he sent me pics, called him back and told him to take the posting off craigslist and I'll be there tuesday with cash in hand! 4 1/2 hour drive but i dont care. Wish I would of listened along time ago and put all the money into a dana 60 that i put in my 44. Lesson learned lol
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
SuperDutyScaler
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
2
Apr 8, 2016 09:23 AM
jimcar-9
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
9
Oct 31, 2014 12:36 PM
bigboisteiny
Excursion - King of SUVs
1
Jul 30, 2014 04:41 PM
