rear suspension
 

i want to do something with my 1983 ford F-150 4x4's rear suspension, but im not sure yet, want to go with cheap, smart move....

i was thinking of going with 3/4 ton springs in the rear, or getting air bags, or helper springs....

i wll need them for towing, and possibly hauling stone or something, and i want to eliminate rear end sag.....also, if i go with 3/4 ton springs, what should I do with the front, and doees anyone know where to find a cheap set?

Your truck is old, which means your suspension, also is old!
Your all around best bet is to go to a shop thay specializes in truck springs and get a set of new "Heavy Duty" half ton springs installed.
Do not try to revive your old worn out springs.
This is one application where "cheap" and "smart" do not go hand and hand
Steve G.

I upgraded my '82 f 250 with 96 f 350 pickup rear suspension from a boneyard got everything from the donor truck even the helper spring perches off the frame they burned the rivets off and I used grade 8 bolts to reattach, the holes were in the frame already. Grand total of $150. When I say every thing I meant it the bolts for the perches was the only extra thing I had to get. Make sure you communicate clearly with the boneyard people.

For the front a set of leveling progressive rate springs do the job nicely, and it doesn't hurt to get the adjustable camber/caster bushings installed into the top balljoints.

back when my truck was bran new in 1986 i put a set of helpers under it wow...no more sag...and doesn't effect the ride at all.

except the springs nowadays are gettin really worn out so the truck is just sitting down on the helpers all the time, i could use new springs.

Check this site for springs

www.espo.com