How does the sping rate of the stock L coils compare to the rate of stock non-L F-150s?

I've got a set of coils from my son's 97 F150 2wd reg. cab, short bed left over after a lift and I'm thinking of cutting a coils off and dropping the front of my L with them.

Anybody got any fact, figures or ideas?

Thanks,
Herb

 

They are taller and softer. I do not know the rates.
Cutting a coil off will stiffen up the coil spring rate.
You may end up with the same as stock L springs when you are done?
Hey if you have the time and free springs what the heck.

 

yeah i think they are only 1 inch bigger but the L are stiffer
but like oh-man said if you got time and a spare set what the hell:santa:

 

Yeah,

I'd rather play with these than sell them for $3.28 on eBay to someone who will then bitch about the $15 shipping cost.

Am I right in assuming that the effective spring rate increases as you cut coils (reduce the overall spring length)? If so, chopping 1 to 1-1/2 coils out of the stock F-150 spring might approximate the original ride of the L, linus an inch or so of ride height.

I need to start out by pulling the stock L coil and comparinging relaxed spring hieght and coil diameter.

Herb

 

Yup. Pretty much in direct proportion to the % of the coils cut.

 

If the dia. of the spring wire is the same then it will equal the Ls
rate if it is the same length.

 

For what it's worth....

Coil diameter appears to be the same between the two sets of spings at 0.766". The free height of the F150 coil is right at 14".

I don't have a free height for the L springs, as they are still installed. Anybody got a loose one kicking anround that they care to measure? I measured from the 'flat' end to the peak of the last coil end on the opposite side.

Herb

 

i have some in my garage i could measure tonight. i will post tomorrow morning if somebody doesn't get you a response tonight.

 

Thanks!!

I'm curious now - I was surprised that the coil diameter was the same. The only difference that would alter spring rate would be composition and length at this point.

Herb

 

Herb,


I don't know what your plans are with your stock L springs once you are done with this project but I am looking for a set of stock L front springs and I won't bitch about paying the shipping of them......


For what its worth if anyone else is looking to get rid of a set of stock L springs 99-03 then I would like to work something out.


thanks


Curtietang@yahoo.com

 

I'll let you know what happens with them. There are a couple of sets on ebay right now too.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWA%3AIT

Whoops - I lost the other one - it may have already ended.

Herb

 

13-7/8 from one end to the other

14-1/8 including the rubber isolator

they appear to be just over 3/4 of an inch thick

 

Thanks man,

Interesting, just a 1/8" difference in height (which could be attributed to measuring differences) and the same coil wire diameter.

Sounds to me like the F150 and the L use the same springs...


Herb

 

Nice work Herb.
It makes sense that they would use the same dia. I am suprised that they are so close in height. The rate is figured by free coils not counting the end coils touching the pockets.
Were the f-150 coils out of a V8 or V6?. I guess if the F-150 was a extended cab it may make a difference?

 

Body was the same as the L - short box, stepside, regular cab with a 4.6 V8.

The height comparison surprises me. I'm taking the stockers out anyway (to detail the engine bay) so I'll see if I can get some hands-on, side-by-side comparisons - went I get to that part.

Herb