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I'm thinking about changing the rear springs in my 1979 f-150. Truck was originally a 302 with a c-6, now has a 460 with a c-6. I daily drive it in the salt free months around here(upstate NY), and pull a camper that weighs around 5K pounds. The rear of the truck squats more than I would like when the camper is hooked up, (handles fine when hooked up so I don't think it is a weight distribution issue). I am using rear shocks with coil over helper springs on them. I'm thinking that the leaf springs are just worn out. Some of the clamps that hold the leafs in place are missing too.
I see that Jeff's Bronco Graveyard has rear springs with a 2750# spring rate for 4x4s, and a set with 1650# for 2wd trucks. The higher rated springs are cheaper and dimensionaly the same except for the width than the 2wd springs. Would my truck ride really poorly with the 4x4 springs? I already have 3" spring hangers in the front position because I couldn't find the correct 2 1/2" hangers and mine needed to be replaced. I plan to get some progressive rate factory ride height springs for the front as well.
With literally a 40% increase in weight capacity, I would think that they'd have to ride harder!
Kind of a no-brainer getting the wider springs though, since you already have the hangers. A wider and/or longer spring can be made to carry the same weight with less harshness in ride. As can making a leaf that rides at the same height, but with less arch than another leaf. Less arch usually means a smoother ride.
But 40% more stiffness is a lot to overcome no matter what.
Are the F250 springs of the same vintage, the same width as the 100 springs Jchet? If so he's already got the 3" wide hangers, so that might be a deal breaker on F250 springs. But good to know it's not that stiff of a ride in comparison.
Hmm, is this 150 of yours a short bed, or long bed Ralph? That alone could make a big difference, and might indicate against the stiffer springs.
Truck is a long bed supercab. I was looking at the springs at JBG because they are about half the cost as I have seen elsewhere. They also list the dimensions and weight ratings. I'm not sure where I'd get f 250 springs. Not much in the junkyards around here for these older trucks. The 3" springs I was looking at did have less arch than the 2 1/2" springs.
I had not considered the pad on the axle, I'll have to look at that. I have thought of airbags, but being that I'm already using helper springs on the shocks, I didn't want to keep adding band-aids.
I'm thinking about changing the rear springs in my 1979 f-150. Truck was originally a 302 with a c-6, now has a 460 with a c-6. I daily drive it in the salt free months around here(upstate NY), and pull a camper that weighs around 5K pounds. The rear of the truck squats more than I would like when the camper is hooked up, (handles fine when hooked up so I don't think it is a weight distribution issue). I am using rear shocks with coil over helper springs on them. I'm thinking that the leaf springs are just worn out. Some of the clamps that hold the leafs in place are missing too.
I see that Jeff's Bronco Graveyard has rear springs with a 2750# spring rate for 4x4s, and a set with 1650# for 2wd trucks. The higher rated springs are cheaper and dimensionaly the same except for the width than the 2wd springs. Would my truck ride really poorly with the 4x4 springs? I already have 3" spring hangers in the front position because I couldn't find the correct 2 1/2" hangers and mine needed to be replaced. I plan to get some progressive rate factory ride height springs for the front as well.
Opinions of 4x4 springs on a 2wd? Thanks.
Jess
ATS is who I just picked mine up though. 2450lbs springs that maintain very close to original ride height. I have a 2wd 1989 F150 and the springs are stovk width. I am sure they can accommodate. Very easy to deal with and I am supposed to get them today or tomorrow. Basically next day or day after.
I once parked my '77 F-150 next to my BIL's '77 F-250, both were 4wd, the rear springs were the same four 3" wide, ~1/4" thick main leaves, same fatter helper under them, same arch, and the same 3" blocks under them.
Several times over the years I have disassembled junk yard springs, borrowed a leaf or two, and added them in the stack under a trailer or truck or a car.
I have taken the longest leaf of suck JY spring, cut the eyes off, rounded the ends, and used it as the #2 leaf so the ends extended under my eyes. Just need longer center bolt, sometimes longer U-bolts too.
I have left these alone, hauls a ton OK as is. Excuse the patina. It is cleaner now, has new brakes, brake lines ... and brake drums too.
09-21-2018, 09:19 PM
