Had a spring shop install an extra leaf in each pack; it's better but not as level as I had hoped; about 3/4" low on drivers side at the top of the fender. I put a jack under the left rear of the frame and raised the truck until it was basically level. I think a 1" spacer block is needed in the left rear.

Are there any TSBs, etc. pertaining to the spring problem? I had problems searching the highway/trans site; kept getting a error message. I also searched this site for blocks but 23 pages and over 500 posts would take a long time to read.

I need to take the truck to the dealer anyway for a license inspection and I want to get their thoughts on what to do next but I would like to be prepared with as much information as possible. By the way, the spring shop has a top-notch reputation and even does work for the dealer.

 

Tried something. I emptied my toolbox, which is on the driver's side, and piled everything on the passenger's side. Then I filled the tank with gas, made sure all the tires were aired up correctly, & remeasured. The driver's side was only 3/8 inch lower than the passenger's. Next, as my wife sit in the driver's seat, I measured again. The driver's side was 5/8 inch lower. With this, a thinner block should work. I don't have a lot of remaining threads on the ubolts so 1/2-5/8 may be all I can get.

Any thoughts, comments would still be appreciated.

 

I too have the lean to the drivers side. I addressed this with the dealer and they came up with some ford reference that said anything less than 1 inch is acceptable. My truck leans about 3/4 inch, varying with fuelload and cargo. Since I have access to a mechanics shop I plan on swapping leaf and coil springs from each side to see if it makes any difference. Of course I have to check if the parts are interchangeable. I estimated a 1in spacer would work on the rear leafs but then I'd have to stick a coil spacer in front and I'm not to keen on that.

Fritz

 

My 79 F-150 4X4 is leaning to the driver side also. It's an old truck that I sort of inherited.

Well, I may change the rear leaf springs and add some helper springs to beaf things up also.

Anyone know of a good after market manufacture of leaf springs. All the searches I have tried give me "lift kit" companies.

 

I'd recommend going to a good spring shop first.

 

Try taking out everything and measuring on an empty fuel tank. The tank is on the drivers side, so if it is full, you just put a couple hundred pounds on the drivers side of the truck. That side will always lean down and be lower, you could compensate by putting a block in, but then you are risking twisting the springs and axle because it would move differently than stock. More work than necessary. I have a brand new 2003 truck that is less than 6 months old and it does the same thing, you are just noticing something that almost every truck does.

For verification, You might want to try to measure from the frame down to the axle between the two sides, that should show the compression of the drivers side spring to be greater and hence the lean you are measuring at the top of the wheel well.
And remember, the distance at the fenderwell area will be more than the distance you measure at the frame, because it sits farther away from the centerline of the truck (physics).

Brian

 

The fuel tank on my 79 F150 4X4 is in the center behind the rear axle.
My 89 F150 2wd has 2 tanks in the center.

I have made an effort to load the passenger side of the truck heavier than the driver side but I am going to need some spring work.

 

Made a quick trip back to the spring shop. On their floor, the difference between left & right sides was much less noticeable. They did put in a 3/8 inch spacer on the driver's side which caused everything to be more to my liking; didn't charge anything either. The owner & his son talked about how all the newer trucks aren't made as sturdy as the older ones. The son said they even get some trucks brought to them with very few miles but needing spring work.

By the way, the best thing I have ever added to my truck is the extra (4th) leaf to each side. It now acts like a truck; not so swishy in the back.