I have a question about my 1997 F150. It is a daily driver, I drive it 36 miles to work one way every day. The rear end leans towards the drivers side, I do not see any broken parts and I assume the spring is fatigued.

Is it possible to put light duty F250 springs on a F150 with out much fuss? I can get the springs from a junk yard for $75 a piece. A local spring shop can re-arch the springs for about $300.

I occasionally haul firewood and a trailer but I do not need a F250 all of the time.

 

I belive you can put the LD F250 leaf springs on a F150. You may want to measure the length. You can also get a new heavy duty leaf springs from JC Whitney for not much more that the modified junk yard part. The new heavy duty leaf springs from JC whitney have 5 leafs instead of three from the factory.


Also consider some form of helper springs. I used a hell-wig helper spring set up on my truck with 2 additional add-a-leaf on each side. that makes 5 leafs of each side plus the two helper springs on top.

The 3 weak factory leafs are great to get groceries with but not firewood, gravel or anything else heavy.

You will get a harsher ride when unloaded, but the extra hauling cap. is worth it.

 

I did this to get some extra help with my stock setup.. Now, I have 6 leafs!



Notice the lower stock leaf.. That's what happens when you load a pallet of retaining wall stones and it goes to the bump stop, even before the fork lift is done lowering it!

I've had these on since 2001 and have never been more pleased.. (well, with this mod anyway! ha, ha!)

IMO, these made the ride firmer, but not harsh at all. Get some good aftermarket shocks and that will help in the ride department. I like the firmer ride these provide, as the stock ride was a bit too soft for my taste in general..

These ran me $150 + tax in 2001. I don't know what they go for now, but only took 45 minutes to install from opening the box to lowering the jack. I even installed them with the tires still on.. You use the jack to lift up the rear end from the bumper (trailer hitch in my case) so you can set the tension on the overloads.

I have since gotten another pallet of the same stones and I was able to handle the entire pallet and still have about an 1" of clearance to the bump stop..

Just another thought and idea for you to ponder!

Good luck!

Mitch

 

The F250 LD springs will work http://www.generalspringkc.com/index...parent=78&pg=1

 

I paid $300 for a new set of leaf springs for my old 97. The original spring pack was a 3+1 so I replaced them with a 4+1 pack.

 

Mine has 2+1 springs. I definitely need to do something.

 

I found the springs locally at a driveline shop for $240.