Hey guys Iv used the forum numerous times over the last few years since Iv had the truck but haven't contributed. I noticed something and figured I would share my findings.

Truck is an 02 F150 standard cab long bed 4x4.

Took a look at the leaf springs and saw that the lower 3 of 4 leaves were shifted like a deck of cards that fell at an angle. Upon closer inspection on the lift I noticed that the clamp forward of the axle which is supposed to clamp 3 leaves(the stock clamp) had moved up to 2 leaves and was moveable by hand on both sides in the rear. I have heard and seen the aftermarket clamps which dont work too well and are FN expensive for what they are. 2 plates, 2 bolts and 2 nuts.

-So I went to the drop section at the local metal supplier and found a piece of 1/8" flat bar steel which was 2' x 2.5' roughly 6.0 lbs and cost me $5.31

-I bought 8 gd8 bolts, 4 quantity 3" length to cover 4 leaves and 4 quantity 2.5" length to cover 3 leaves. gd8 flat washers 2 per bolt (16) and gd8 lock washers 1 per bolt and gd8 nuts. cost 23 bucks at ace hardware.
I used 7/16 size bolts.

-I cut 8 pieces of steel with a cut off wheel 4.25" x 1.5".

With a 2.5" leaf spring the edges of the leaf will be at 0.75" and at 3.4" roughly with the steel piece centered laying perpendicular flat on top and bottom of the pack.



-Drilled 7/16 holes at .75" and at 3.4" centered on each piece. deburred all the pieces with grinding wheel and wire wheel, and hit em with a wizz wheel to clean them up

Threw some black paint (rust prevention)



NOW TO THE INSTALLATION.
(VERY EASY WITH A LIFT. AND 3/8 FUEL BRUSHLESS IMPACT )
If you dont have those things I'm sure anyone with some minimal tools and equipment could complete this in the driveway.

One side at a time, I relieved tension from the leaf by lifting up the axle (I used a pole jack)



With the spring relieved I used a 21mm deep socket to back off the u-bolt nuts on that side, not all the way! just enough were the u-bolt can be moved slightly at the axle tube. Huge hammer just lightly beat the leaves back straight and added my 2 plates, 2 bolts, 4 washers, 2 lock washers and 2 nuts.

-I placed them where I thought I would achieve the most stiffening. 1 at the rear bumper side on the 3 leaves, 1 just past the axle on all 4 leaves forward of the axle, and I moved the stock clamp back on to the 3 leaves forward of the axle.

let the pressure back down and mine came out like this


After test driving the truck adding a total of 2 new retainers to each leaf and re-positioning the stock clamps was a night and day difference. My shocks are not blown but are not new either so minimal bounce while cruising was a normality for this truck. NOT NOW. This truck feels much stiffer in the rear while cruising at any speed, and going over bumps I do not hear any noises from the rear end. Once I throw a set of new monotube style shocks on I cant possibly imagine how super fat this big baby is gonna ride.

OH HELL YEAH. So for those of you who have some steel lying around or are itching for a 1 day or less project the difference in ride quality is astronomical. This project in reality once i got the steel and hardware, only took about 2.5 to 3 hours to complete.

Beer me.

 

Interesting. 215K on my truck. Not sure how many of those miles are V10 miles without looking, but I definitely do not have this issue. I also don't have a rust issue in southern AZ.

 

dumping jetskis on beach sucks but its just surface rust on the leafs. ill sand it off and paint em here soon.