spring question
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2009
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spring question
will 4x4 coils / leaf springs make a truck sit higher then 2wd springs?
how much higher?
i have an '81 F100 4700# truck and the springs are severely sagged, but that is to expected from 30 year old springs.
I'm wanting to make it sit like a truck...that's about the best way i can say it.
I also want a bit more load capacity in the rear and progressive rate springs in the front.
how much higher?
i have an '81 F100 4700# truck and the springs are severely sagged, but that is to expected from 30 year old springs.
I'm wanting to make it sit like a truck...that's about the best way i can say it.
I also want a bit more load capacity in the rear and progressive rate springs in the front.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
Front coils are the same, whether 2wd or 4wd. The lift is in the axle itself.
Rear leafs are different though. 2wd = 2.5" wide, 4wd = 3" wide. Again, the hieght would be the same. 4wd uses a 2" block between the axle and springs.
For the front, I'd suggest going no more then the CC820 springs. I have CC822 in the front of my F150, and the front sits too high. Normally, an alignment shop could just swap the camber shims to correct the camber, but alas, 80/81 uses king pins, which require bending the I-beams. Not cheap, and done wrong, it can ruin the I-beams.......
I'll live with the camber problem for now, since I already have a D44 TTB to go in place of the I-beams......
Rear leafs are different though. 2wd = 2.5" wide, 4wd = 3" wide. Again, the hieght would be the same. 4wd uses a 2" block between the axle and springs.
For the front, I'd suggest going no more then the CC820 springs. I have CC822 in the front of my F150, and the front sits too high. Normally, an alignment shop could just swap the camber shims to correct the camber, but alas, 80/81 uses king pins, which require bending the I-beams. Not cheap, and done wrong, it can ruin the I-beams.......
I'll live with the camber problem for now, since I already have a D44 TTB to go in place of the I-beams......
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Elder User
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heres a pic of the truck, this is with 225/75R15 tires which are larger then stock, i want to run 31x10.50's or metric equivalent.
parking next to f150 im about 2-3" lower at the hood and the tailgate with the f150 running 235/75r15 or 30x9.50r15's which are only about half inch taller.
parking next to f150 im about 2-3" lower at the hood and the tailgate with the f150 running 235/75r15 or 30x9.50r15's which are only about half inch taller.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,089
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From: Illernois
That sagging from the rear springs, when replaced with new stock springs will improve the look/handling/and height alot!
If you put different springs on your truck your going to have to put new shackles on. Which means you will have to grind off the old and weld on new ones, then make sure you attach them right. Which can get into a bit of a work and some what pricey.
I was able to find some 1995 leafs to replace my old sagging springs and it improved my trucks handling alot and looks much much better. Plus was able to find both for only $80.00 from a junk yard.
If you put different springs on your truck your going to have to put new shackles on. Which means you will have to grind off the old and weld on new ones, then make sure you attach them right. Which can get into a bit of a work and some what pricey.
I was able to find some 1995 leafs to replace my old sagging springs and it improved my trucks handling alot and looks much much better. Plus was able to find both for only $80.00 from a junk yard.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 8
From: Cook Forest and Irwin PA
If I am following this, check out my 81 F100 project page (Im not advertising, its just that I added a bunch of this crap so the how to info is in there)
suffice to say: I replaced the 3 leaf 4700lb springs with 4 leaf 5450lb springs from an 89 I cut up. I replaced all - shackles etc.
the front is a bit more esoteric. if you have 5 on 4.5 you might have the .800ish king pins.
in any case, if you have any king pins (I have the 1" ones) correcting the alignment on a king pin truck due to springs is impossible without a blowtorch and a BFH.
with ball joints, you have a shot.
keep something in mind, as I added springs and sway bars etc I noticed that ford had essentially 3 setups for the front end where the overall installed spring height was about the same. they used these 'cups' (spacers) for the king pin front ends to make up the gap the ends have, vs a 2wd or 4wd ball joint setup.
and also, ford uses a 2" spacer in the rear to gain clearance in the 4x4s.
suffice to say: I replaced the 3 leaf 4700lb springs with 4 leaf 5450lb springs from an 89 I cut up. I replaced all - shackles etc.
the front is a bit more esoteric. if you have 5 on 4.5 you might have the .800ish king pins.
in any case, if you have any king pins (I have the 1" ones) correcting the alignment on a king pin truck due to springs is impossible without a blowtorch and a BFH.
with ball joints, you have a shot.
keep something in mind, as I added springs and sway bars etc I noticed that ford had essentially 3 setups for the front end where the overall installed spring height was about the same. they used these 'cups' (spacers) for the king pin front ends to make up the gap the ends have, vs a 2wd or 4wd ball joint setup.
and also, ford uses a 2" spacer in the rear to gain clearance in the 4x4s.
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heres some specs i've found here in the last day or two:
stock replacement for my truck:
FCS820V
Constant or Variable Rate: Variable
Bar Size: 0.72 in.
Free Height: 16.1875 in. 15.625 in. MIN
Type of Coil End 1: Pig tail -23
Type of Coil End 2: Pig tail -16
FCS822V
Constant or Variable Rate: Variable
Bar Size: 0.72 in.
Free Height: 16.375 in. REF 16 in. MIN
Type of Coil End 1: Pig tail -23
Type of Coil End 2: Pig tail -16
FCS818V
Constant or Variable Rate: Variable
Bar Size: 0.705 in.
Free Height: 15.75 in. REF 15.40 in. MIN
Type of Coil End 1: Pig tail -23
Type of Coil End 2: Pig tail -16
FCS824V
Constant or Variable Rate: Variable
Bar Size: 0.72 in.
Free Height: 16.937 in. 16.562 in. MIN
Type of Coil End 1: Pig tail -23
Type of Coil End 2: Pig tail -16
FLR824V
Constant or Variable Rate: Variable
Bar Size: 0.75 in.
Free Height: 16.94 in. REF
Type of Coil End 1: Pig tail -23
Type of Coil End 2: Pig tail -16
so it looks like the 822V will lift .5" and the 824V about .75" while still retaining the stock coil size which should keep the same ride characteristics.
and hte 818V will lower the truck .25" and soften the ride (smaller coil diameter)
Thanks guys!
stock replacement for my truck:
FCS820V
Constant or Variable Rate: Variable
Bar Size: 0.72 in.
Free Height: 16.1875 in. 15.625 in. MIN
Type of Coil End 1: Pig tail -23
Type of Coil End 2: Pig tail -16
FCS822V
Constant or Variable Rate: Variable
Bar Size: 0.72 in.
Free Height: 16.375 in. REF 16 in. MIN
Type of Coil End 1: Pig tail -23
Type of Coil End 2: Pig tail -16
FCS818V
Constant or Variable Rate: Variable
Bar Size: 0.705 in.
Free Height: 15.75 in. REF 15.40 in. MIN
Type of Coil End 1: Pig tail -23
Type of Coil End 2: Pig tail -16
FCS824V
Constant or Variable Rate: Variable
Bar Size: 0.72 in.
Free Height: 16.937 in. 16.562 in. MIN
Type of Coil End 1: Pig tail -23
Type of Coil End 2: Pig tail -16
FLR824V
Constant or Variable Rate: Variable
Bar Size: 0.75 in.
Free Height: 16.94 in. REF
Type of Coil End 1: Pig tail -23
Type of Coil End 2: Pig tail -16
so it looks like the 822V will lift .5" and the 824V about .75" while still retaining the stock coil size which should keep the same ride characteristics.
and hte 818V will lower the truck .25" and soften the ride (smaller coil diameter)
Thanks guys!
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