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New take on leaf springs

96ex5.0

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City, State
canyon tx
Year, Model & Trim Level
96 explorer 5.0 4x4 5spd
OK so I decided to try a different route on getting lift from my springs by adding a spring and so far the results are great. I will get some pics and do a write up here in a bit, but I will say it involves using a f250/350 overload spring.
 



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IMG_20160530_220250564_zps9oyptqmc.jpg

IMG_20160530_220242294_zpszcg58yxu.jpg


So some quick pick,Hard to see much.
 






OK so it's late here and I'll try to remember what I can, you need a 3/8 x 21/2 grade 8 bolt 4 nuts and 2 flat washers. Only spring you need to remove is the bottom flat spring. You will be replacing it with a f250/f350 factory overload spring(this spring usually sits on top of the pack) . So remove the flat spring and put your new bolt in with a nut to tighten the 3 springs left, then position the new spring under that. It will fit over the nut, hold it in place with a washer and second nut. Tq everything and bolt it all back together as if factory, it will do 11/2-2 inches of lift with old worn springs. I went from aftermarket overloads to fix my spring sag to these and gained 11/2 inches of lift over what I had.

IMG_20160530_220338201_zpsyatkdz8v.jpg
 






That's with 2" body 2" suspension and these springs. I'll get better picks in morning. I am also running 2012 f150 rear shocks.
 






I don't know about it being a new take or anything, add a leaf kits have been around for decades.

You just did it like I did on my Bronco about 10 years ago by using other factory leafs.

Looks good though.
 






Well I say new take since everyone said only f150 springs would work, just like my m5 from a 89 f150 wasn't supposed to work.
 






what year or range of years F150, F250, &350 leaf springs fit without having to notch the edges of the spring where they saddle in the U-bolts? I would think that smaller body F150s like 80s-90s may be direct fit-in, but Id think newer springs from big bodied trucks would be over sized or too wide to use.

What year F250 spring did you use?
 






Well I say new take since everyone said only f150 springs would work, just like my m5 from a 89 f150 wasn't supposed to work.
Anything can be made to work with enough cutting and welding
 






what year or range of years F150, F250, &350 leaf springs fit without having to notch the edges of the spring where they saddle in the U-bolts? I would think that smaller body F150s like 80s-90s may be direct fit-in, but Id think newer springs from big bodied trucks would be over sized or too wide to use.

What year F250 spring did you use?


I owned an 83 F-150 and it had 3'' wide springs so I would guess they would have to be newer then 1983.
 






I owned an 83 F-150 and it had 3'' wide springs so I would guess they would have to be newer then 1983.
I just know they fit without any problems or modifications.
 












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