Leaf Spring Question

[MAS Tequila]

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http://www.generalspringkc.com/Leaf_...eer_s/1883.htm


At the above site they have two different springs for the ex/mounty.

One has a capacity of 877lbs, the other 1100lbs.

My truck has the tank/battery/driver sag. I'm looking at the 1100lb set with an add a leaf.

Would this give me 1 1/2 -2" of lift over stock?

And the 91-94 has the same dimensions and is rated at 1250lbs.

What would you use?

MT

 

[SoNic67]

Look on the door sticker for the leaf code.

http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/ford-spring-code-listings

My 5.0 AWD has code 1F, so rear spring code will be "F": 1,100lbs, 4(3+1) leafs, two stage, 2-1/2" width, 6-1/2 arch.
I think this is the more comfortable spring, especially when riding with an empty rear.

 

[jremington59]

I have the extra leaf on my 2000 and it makes for a much stiffer ride then my other one. But it does sit up higher.

 

[masospaghetti]

Have you considered the Monroe load leveling shocks? It may be a cheaper/easier route, especially if you need new shocks anyway.

 

[MAS Tequila]

Have you considered the Monroe load leveling shocks? It may be a cheaper/easier route, especially if you need new shocks anyway.

I can get new springs for $200 or less. Why would I want to dick around with shocks or any other Band-Aid approach?

Fix it right the first time.

MT

 

[masospaghetti]

The load leveling shocks (aka, dicking around) are about $30 more than a set of regular shocks. Good luck getting help with an attitude like that.

 

[colintrax]

The load leveling shocks (aka, dicking around) are about $30 more than a set of regular shocks. Good luck getting help with an attitude like that.

That's what I was thinking haha

 

[MAS Tequila]

The load leveling shocks (aka, dicking around) are about $30 more than a set of regular shocks. Good luck getting help with an attitude like that.

Explain to me why spend around $100 for shocks would be better than spending $160 to fix it correctly?

And yes, throwing a Band-Aid on it would be dicking around.

And if you think that's attitude, you are very mistaken.

I don't NEED help. I was looking for honest opinions within the parameters I set, not other options.

I've been building 1/4 mile cars, street cars, motorcycles, and trucks since circa 1980 .

MT

 

[delexploder]

What kills me is the fact that these trucks when brand new had way too soft rear, we have what is basically an overloaded ranger, with a few factory bandaids, the Monroe coilover " load levelers" will pick it up and stop the rocking boat motion, it will handle better ,tow better and yes it will ride a bit stiffer but not harsh, it will not break the mounts or buckle the cross member unless your ride is super rusty or maybe if you are jumping like the Dukes of Hazard, that said yea go ahead and put new leafs on with new bushings and shackles and sway bar links and bushings, then see what ya got after that, you may like it and be happy, if not or you notice it is still low or squishy then look into the monroes

 

[swshawaii]

Best reply yet, delexploder. True, the only correct fix for sagging leafs are new replacements. Too many band-aid "solutions" of swapping sides, dearching, add-a-leafs, that are all temporary short term "fixes". Regarding the OP's
877 lb. vs. 1100 lb. dilemma, that may be best answered by the seller since I doubt anyone here has tested both. GL

 

[masospaghetti]

Explain to me why spend around $100 for shocks would be better than spending $160 to fix it correctly?

And yes, throwing a Band-Aid on it would be dicking around.

And if you think that's attitude, you are very mistaken.

I don't NEED help. I was looking for honest opinions within the parameters I set, not other options.

I've been building 1/4 mile cars, street cars, motorcycles, and trucks since circa 1980 .

MT

The new springs you linked to were $100-140 each without shipping. Now you can get a set for $160?

If you need new shocks, the load levelers are about $30 more than set of regulars. Which is what I said. The load levelers are as much as a "band aid" than an add a leaf and will ride better. That's why I suggested it, and a lot of members on the forum (including me) have used these with good results. They provide about 1.5" of lift.

But good to know you don't need anyone's help. Not sure how building a motorcycle will help you pick a leaf spring.

 

[SoNic67]

Load levelers will ride harsher, not better. Anything that "raises" the vehicle adds stiffness. Why not add a CMU block to make it even more "not sagging"?
They (load levelers) also overload the mounting points of the shocks with some extra 400 pounds.

New two-stage leafs with new shocks (monotubes) are a way better (and safer) option. Sure, not cheaper.

 

[delexploder]

Its a truck! A ladder frame leaf sprung live axle truck, like I said its a ranger with a bunch of extra weight added to it, that's why it sags because its already overloaded, and your correct in a sense, it will ride rough, because its a truck, not a car, and as far as the mounts go, if you jump it like a stunt car or its very very rusty then it might break but so will everything else at those points, if the pressure of the monroes could cause harm then so could a load of fat people or any other heavy load, but go ahead and keep preaching how bad they are because you are the only one, I have yet to see a bad post on here from anyone who has used them

 

[MAS Tequila]

Go back and look at the springs for the 91-94 models. They have the same dimensions from bushing to center and use the same bushings, meaning they'll bolt right in. They are rated at 1250lbs and are $79.00 each which comes to $156.00 for the pair.

So tell me again how much money will be saved by not fixing it correctly.

My truck has been a Florida truck from delivery until now, so no rust. It just went over 70000 miles. It is going to be around for a long time to come. I just can't see half assing the repair.

My original question was which spring rating 1250, 877, or 1100lbs made more sense.

With weight of these trucks it looks like 1250lb springs will work nicely without sacrificing ride quality.

MT

The new springs you linked to were $100-140 each without shipping. Now you can get a set for $160?

If you need new shocks, the load levelers are about $30 more than set of regulars. Which is what I said. The load levelers are as much as a "band aid" than an add a leaf and will ride better. That's why I suggested it, and a lot of members on the forum (including me) have used these with good results. They provide about 1.5" of lift.

But good to know you don't need anyone's help. Not sure how building a motorcycle will help you pick a leaf spring.

 

[masospaghetti]

Load levelers will ride harsher, not better. Anything that "raises" the vehicle adds stiffness. Why not add a CMU block to make it even more "not sagging"?
They (load levelers) also overload the mounting points of the shocks with some extra 400 pounds.

New two-stage leafs with new shocks (monotubes) are a way better (and safer) option. Sure, not cheaper.

The OP said he wanted to add a leaf. Between AAL and load levelers, the load levelers will probably ride better.

The mounting points were designed for air shocks. I would bet you a beer that Monroe designed the load levelers never to exceed the load of the air shocks, otherwise they would be exposing themselves to extreme liability.

 

[SoNic67]

Well, right, springs will work better than add a leaf.
But still, I doubt Monroe calculated the load of mounts.

PS: Do the air shocks raise the vehicle at start-up?

 

[masospaghetti]

I'm not sure. I thought the air shocks were to keep the rear from sagging under heavy loads, not sure what the default is.

 

[SoNic67]

Well, IMO a shock by itself cannot raise anything. It will resist the movement, but eventually it comes to rest where the springs/leafs are. It doesn't add a constant load on the mounts.
Unless is load leveling and has a spring in parallel with the shock.

 

[colintrax]

Explorers did come with factory air shocks that raised it in 4 low and lowered when placed in park. It also held the height when attached to a trailer. The stock shock mounts can handle it....

I don't see how load leveling shocks are a bad aid and new leafs aren't? Either way you're bumping up the spring rate. Only difference I see is preventing body roll. Where yes, new leaves will help more. I wouldn't buy from that company considering they list different springs for the 1st gen with a higher load capacity.