rear sag but leaf springs + hardware + shock absorbers intact

[jyoozy]

Hey guys,
My 2003 Sport XLT is sagging in the rear and I'm definitely experiencing the symptoms - loss of handling/sliding over potholes/gravel + lots of rattling when going over bumps

I checked the leaf springs, the shackles, the mounts, etc and they all look old and rusty but largely intact. The shock absorbers are fairly new.

What needs to be done here? New leaf springs? replace the shackles? Lift? What are your thoughts?

Thanks

 

[J_C]

You can get a lift with shackles but the springs are worn. Shackles may eventually need replaced due to weakening from rust but the springs are the way to get lift back and gain handling while raising the body with shackles but not doing springs, only makes center of gravity higher so handling slightly worse.

Some people use monroe coil-over shocks, myself included and it has extended the time I'm going on the stock springs but eventually it caused my lower shock mounts to fail. If you're putting new springs on anyway and the shock mount plates are pretty rusty, I'd go ahead and replace them while you're at it. I got mine from White Bear Lake Ford, on their website. I'm not 100% sure for your '03 but for my '98 they were part # F57Z5798AE and F57Z5798AD

 

[jyoozy]

You can get a lift with shackles but the springs are worn. Shackles may eventually need replaced due to weakening from rust but the springs are the way to get lift back and gain handling while raising the body with shackles but not doing springs, only makes center of gravity higher so handling slightly worse.

Some people use monroe coil-over shocks, myself included and it has extended the time I'm going on the stock springs but eventually it caused my lower shock mounts to fail. If you're putting new springs on anyway and the shock mount plates are pretty rusty, I'd go ahead and replace them while you're at it. I got mine from White Bear Lake Ford, on their website. I'm not 100% sure for your '03 but for my '98 they were part # F57Z5798AE and F57Z5798

You can get a lift with shackles but the springs are worn. Shackles may eventually need replaced due to weakening from rust but the springs are the way to get lift back and gain handling while raising the body with shackles but not doing springs, only makes center of gravity higher so handling slightly worse.

Some people use monroe coil-over shocks, myself included and it has extended the time I'm going on the stock springs but eventually it caused my lower shock mounts to fail. If you're putting new springs on anyway and the shock mount plates are pretty rusty, I'd go ahead and replace them while you're at it. I got mine from White Bear Lake Ford, on their website. I'm not 100% sure for your '03 but for my '98 they were part # F57Z5798AE and F57Z5798AD

Thanks, what are your thoughts on Add a leafs?

 

[Mbrooks420]

You need new springs.

 

[jyoozy]

You need new springs.

Any ideas where I can get some? I’m in Vancouver BC

 

[C420sailor]

I got mine from Michigan Truck Spring. Fixed my saggy butt.

 

[Mbrooks420]

https://www.canadaspring.com/