Front Spring Question

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jan 12, 2010 | 05:43 PM

SNSTER

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Nov 2009

Posts: 231

Likes: 0

Front Spring Question

ok I have a 1977 F-250 4x4 I am in the middle of restoring. It is NOT a highboy. I want to change the front leaf springs to new ones. here is the dilemma. It has 3 leaves which I can not find anywhere to order and my only concern is losing height since it has 35's on it. no lift blocks in the front. How do I figure out which springs to order? how much free arch would I need in the front springs to continue to clear these tires? Been looking and just end up more confused.

Jan 12, 2010 | 09:07 PM

jdv19

Junior User

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 98

Likes: 0

Just an idea but have you tried Deaver suspension. I just ordered new custom rear leafs for my 77.5 f250 4x4. I spoke with Jeff. I just took some pic of what I had currently and sent them to him. He contacted me back over the phone about a day later and we figured out what I needed. I have a 4" lift on mine, Jeff said he could design and make the springs in 3-5 weeks just through the pic I sent! I was highly recommended to them from other guys on this site. The springs are custom made so the price is a little up. Contact them I'm sure they can help with your front springs.

Jan 12, 2010 | 11:25 PM

psd350psd

Junior User

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 64

Likes: 0

From: Colorado

The 77.5-79 trucks came with a two-leaf setup, but a very common thing was for guys to put one add-a-leaf spring underneath. I would think that would raise the height a little over stock so if you ordered a new two-leaf setup you might lose a little height (maybe 1"?), though if you account for 30 years of sagging, maybe not. If you don't need the extra lift, you could remove yours, sandblast them, paint them and put in poly bushings if you want to make them look new. I'd only put down the cash for custom springs if you need something different than what you have. Put the $500 toward a locker or something...just my 2cents.

Jan 13, 2010 | 07:34 AM

SNSTER

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Nov 2009

Posts: 231

Likes: 0

Hope I dont need customs and I want to change them cause I think they are sagging some more to one side and I will be putting a bigger engine up front so to account for the extra weight. I am thinkiing about just running one of the later year setups with the 4 leaf pack. I just dont know what the free arch was of those two leaf springs so I could add some height for the possible add a leaf and figure something out.

Jan 13, 2010 | 08:03 AM

mark a.

Lead Driver

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 8,922

Likes: 153

You could just order a set of 4 inch lift springs from Sky Jacker.

Jan 13, 2010 | 09:42 AM

psd350psd

Junior User

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 64

Likes: 0

From: Colorado

I don't know anything about this company, but they have good information on years of applications and measurements. The later year Fords don't seem to fit without some modifications.

1973 - 1979 F350 leaf springs

If you want some lift and it sounds like you could use a couple inches anyway, you will need custom springs or lift springs like Mark mentioned.

Jan 13, 2010 | 09:50 AM

SNSTER

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Nov 2009

Posts: 231

Likes: 0

problem with a lift is the rear springs are new and I only need to replace the fronts now. Dont need any lift either as I liked the stance. here is my clearance