Replacing leaf springs
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Replacing leaf springs
I have a 1990 F-250 2wd with a 4.9 liter L6. I am buying a 1991 f-150 4x4 with a 5.8 liter v8. I would like to be able to carry more weight so I wanted to know if I could put the heavy duty rear F-250 leaf springs on the F-150? And if I could how would I go about changing them? Also will I see a power difference between the two trucks? I haul a lot of firewood and don't know if the 150 will do what the 250 will do.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Vancouver BC Canada
The leaf springs should be a direct swap. All of these trucks use the same width springs except 2wd f150's - they are 1/2" narrower. It's really as simple as unbolting the pack and then transfering them to the other truck. When I did mine, I couldn't get the spring eye bolts out, so I pulled the packs apart and just left the f150 top leaf in place, and put all of the f250 leafs underneath it. If that's the route you go, you'll need new centre bolts.
Power difference between the 4.9 and the 5.8 should be signifigant. The 250 has a stronger frame, axles, and bigger brakes, so its likely to be a better hauler in every area except the motor, but that's just my opinion.
Power difference between the 4.9 and the 5.8 should be signifigant. The 250 has a stronger frame, axles, and bigger brakes, so its likely to be a better hauler in every area except the motor, but that's just my opinion.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Des Moines, Iowa
the F-150 will NOT do what the F-250 can do! as BCHauler said the brakes, axle, and frame are all stronger for bigger loads. i've put 1.25 ton of rock in the F-250 and still gone down the road good with my F250 4.9L. The big6 does great for low end towing torque but it will lag up hills though. I am building a tow rig as we speak with a 88 F250 351w 4x4 so I can keep the hwy speed under load. personally I would swap the 5.8 into the F250 and use it for the 2wd hauler... unless you need the 4x4 to get to into muddy wood lots. Let's not forget that the F-250s have bigger 5spd trannys to do the work and take the torque and heavy loads... not sure if the auto trannys were any different..??? Your 4.9 will have great low range torque to get the truck moving but is a bit under powered for up hill with big loads at highway speeds. also depends on each trucks gears. 4.10s are better for hauling and 3.55s better for gas and highway. needless to say I will be looking for 4.10's for the tow rig. I have a wood burner in the house and do wood hauling too... It all kinda depends on how much wood you want to haul at a time, where you are getting the wood (off road? any highway or interstate driving?), how far you are traveling with the wood, etc.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: USCGC Never Home
They bolt right up as said before. The bolts on the leafs are metric, so bring your metric sockets, and a nice long 1/2 drive ratchet. I got lucky and pulled a junk yard set of F20 springs with a 3/8 ratchet and a 6'' cresent wrench, but getting the springs out of my rust free 91 was a chore, they had welded them selves inside of the spring bushings. I ended up using a torch to get it all apart.
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My 250 is an amazing hauler but it has two major factors agaisnt it one beign that it is very beat up and probely not worth the money to fix and that 2wd continues to cause me trouble. My job requires me to go off the pavement to get wood and i'm sick of spinning the tires and calling my buddys to come pull me out with there 4x4s.
I usally haul a cords worth of wood up to 20 miles at a time. If I do the spring swap will this truck handle it? What other things can I do?
I usally haul a cords worth of wood up to 20 miles at a time. If I do the spring swap will this truck handle it? What other things can I do?
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,703
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From: Des Moines, Iowa
well to take the load... on the hwy... I would put 4.10 gears in the F150 truck, put in air bags or HD shocks (heavy duty- F250) in the rear with HD springs from a F-250. Air shocks are another option but the shock mounts are designed to hold extra weight. If you have a welder and some extra time you can fab a couple new mounts for it. the air shocks can give you as much as 1-3 inches of boost in the rear for loads. some people like them and some don't. never had a problem with the ones i've had. just make sure to not use air shocks with stock shock mounts. They will break! And remember it's still a 1/2ton so you have to take it easy on the truck... the tranny and frame weren't built for the load!
Freshman User
Joined: May 2009
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if the axle ratios are the same, swap the rear axle and all. just a wheel bolt pattern difference.
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Texas
My f150 has a 10.25 and f250 leafs. As well as air springs. I would say that with the air springs it will handle more weight in the bed better then most stock f250s especially my dads '05 F250 PSD. The frame is by no means weak. It isnt as stiff as the f250, but i have never seen it flex abnormally or have any problems under extreme loads in extreme conditions and i really tend to push my truck to see what its capable of.
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Joined: May 2006
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From: North Dakota
A half ton should be able to handle a cord of fire wood without a issue.. I dont see why everyone thinks a F150 cant hanld a load very well.. I hook a trailer on the recever hitch on mine that has 1200 pounds of toung wt. It does very well.. Its a pickup, load it up and work it.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Des Moines, Iowa
I never said a F150 couldn't haul the line. They just can't haul like F-250s were designed to. I have had 1 1/4 cords (dry of course) in the back of my old F-150 before (with extending verticle walls of course). Some F-150's had a helper spring (known as the heavy half F-150). The extra leaf spring would only be engaged when the truck was under heavy load. That's what i had b4 the F-250's. All I think we were trying to say is that the F-250 springs would help when consistantly hauling heavier loads in his F150. And if he did a rear end swap to a 10.25 with F250 springs his rear would hold that much more and stand up the the CONTINOUS wear and tear...
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Sand Lake, MI
A full cord of green white oak weighs between 5000 and 6000lbs for example, a half ton is not up to the task, at least not repeatedly. Myself I'd split the load, half cord at a time.
Heck that kinda weight is hard on a f250, would about crush a half ton.
And yea, I've had plenty of half tons in my younger days and no I do not consider them weak. However that is the main reason I don't by them anymore, just to light duty a truck for my day to day needs.
1200lbs on the hitch is a reasonable/realistic load, its a half ton truck after all. Granted the load should be up behind the cab not off the back bumper but definitely doable anyway.
Heck that kinda weight is hard on a f250, would about crush a half ton.
And yea, I've had plenty of half tons in my younger days and no I do not consider them weak. However that is the main reason I don't by them anymore, just to light duty a truck for my day to day needs.
1200lbs on the hitch is a reasonable/realistic load, its a half ton truck after all. Granted the load should be up behind the cab not off the back bumper but definitely doable anyway.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Des Moines, Iowa
most of my wood when i pick it up is already dry... plus poplar, locust, and pine are the lighter woods i carry... I would never carry 5000-6000 in a f150! that's crazy and asking for trouble!
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
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From: North Dakota
requiring a master cylinder swap too..
I'm not sayin get stupid, and just load the **** out of it. If he swaps the rear leafs, and loads it up, (not somuch that it sits near the bump stops) he should be fine..
I'm not sayin get stupid, and just load the **** out of it. If he swaps the rear leafs, and loads it up, (not somuch that it sits near the bump stops) he should be fine..
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