Author Topic: F-150 rear springs (Read 6186 times)

milla85 · « **on:** Jun 05, 2007, 05:17:40 PM »

I just finshed my f-150 spring swap on the rear of my 85 truck. Before i decided to do the f-150 springs i did a lot of looking around and seeing other people doing the same thing and the flex we really good. So i built the front hanger, rear hanger, 5in shackels, traction bar and all the other stuff. Now its all together it dosnt seem to be woring as good as i had seen in pictures. Is their something wrong with my set up? To anyone who has done this swap could you please post up some pics and tell me about you setup. So as of now i thing i am going to start making some piviot perches and mess around with some leafs. Any help would be greatly apperciated!!!! Thanks a lot - NICK

Side shot of my truck and rear suspension

Shocks and view of rear end(86 ifs with 2000 E-locker)

Anti wrap bar

79coyotefrg · « **Reply #1 on:** Jun 05, 2007, 05:25:41 PM »

let me guess, it dont flex , like at all

lilbuddy · « **Reply #2 on:** Jun 05, 2007, 05:27:57 PM »

Weird....

Mine on my 4runner and on my truck was just about the same. Do you have 2.5" or 3" wide springs?

I have double shackles with a 6inch shackle and the shackle angle is about the same but... thats weird. Ill get some pics of mine in a minute

79coyotefrg · « **Reply #3 on:** Jun 05, 2007, 05:29:56 PM »

pull the bottom bolt on that trac bar, and make one that uses only the top bolt

lilbuddy · « **Reply #4 on:** Jun 05, 2007, 05:33:59 PM »

4runner flex... Rear shocks are limiting it. Has way more potential.

Old truck flex.

Those are the same springs used in each one

milla85 · « **Reply #5 on:** Jun 05, 2007, 05:34:13 PM »

Quote from: LILBUDDY on Jun 05, 2007, 05:27:57 PM

Weird....

Mine on my 4runner and on my truck was just about the same. Do you have 2.5" or 3" wide springs?

I have double shackles with a 6inch shackle and the shackle angle is about the same but... thats weird. Ill get some pics of mine in a minute

My springs are 2.5 wide

Quote from: 79coyotefrg on Jun 05, 2007, 05:29:56 PM

pull the bottom bolt on that trac bar, and make one that uses only the top bolt

Why would making a track bar with only one bar make any difference? The bar now dosnt seem to limit any flex...

milla85 · « **Reply #6 on:** Jun 05, 2007, 05:36:39 PM »

Quote from: LILBUDDY on Jun 05, 2007, 05:33:59 PM

4runner flex... Rear shocks are limiting it. Has way more potential.

Old truck flex.

Those are the same springs used in each one

Yeah yours seems to be flexing a lot more than mine... maby because of the dual shackel??? or the weight of the runner?

79coyotefrg · « **Reply #7 on:** Jun 05, 2007, 05:36:46 PM »

Quote

Why would making a track bar with only one bar make any difference? The bar now dosnt seem to limit any flex...

remove it then go flex

i dont see a way for it to allow flex at all

milla85 · « **Reply #8 on:** Jun 05, 2007, 05:39:45 PM »

Quote from: 79coyotefrg on Jun 05, 2007, 05:36:46 PM

remove it then go flex

i dont see a way for it to allow flex at all

I flexed it before it had the bar on it and after and it didnt make a difference. It has heim joints on all 3 corners of it so i dont under stand how it preventing the suspension from flexing.

lilbuddy · « **Reply #9 on:** Jun 05, 2007, 06:02:37 PM »

I dont know what it could be. My old truck flexed more in the rear than the runner so i dont htink its weight. Do you have spring clamps on yours? how many leafs?

Mine dont have any clamps and its a 4 leaf pack.

milla85 · « **Reply #10 on:** Jun 05, 2007, 06:08:19 PM »

Mine have the strap style clamps on them(looks like the ones that hold stacks of lumber together) only on the front tho. They are 3 leafs right now. I took the over load out. The only thing that i can think it is would be that when i ordered the springs from the junk yard i asked for the 2wd and maby the gave me 4wd? i realy dont know.

And here is some "trying to flex" pics

When the rear suspensionstarts to flex out it feels like it gets tippy. Like the suspension dosnt conform to the terrain.

All_Set · « **Reply #11 on:** Jun 06, 2007, 04:38:52 PM »

I think you need something better to drive up on!

It appears you have both tires on the same ramp? (And the pass. front is further up the ramp than the pass. rear?) Remember those are 1/2 ton FULL size springs. Depending on how old they are, may requires some serious breaking in.

milla85 · « **Reply #12 on:** Jun 06, 2007, 05:52:01 PM »

About the breaking in of the spring.... When i got the they where very new looking, bushings looked new and shiney black paint. So maby i need to abuse them their springs a lil!!!. What would you all recomend for breaking the springs in? More weight in the back? Jump it? Flex it out more? Thanks - Nick

lilbuddy · « **Reply #13 on:** Jun 06, 2007, 07:39:29 PM »

Looking at those springs more they have a LOT more arch then mine so that could be your problem. I think if you put a bunch of weight in the back and just left it it should settle them more.

milla85 · « **Reply #14 on:** Jun 06, 2007, 08:16:13 PM »

Yeah i think i am going to put a lot of weight in the rear and go wheel around. Maby it will ease up the springs or something. I also plan on making some piviot perches. It seems like the springs are in a large bind when flexing and maby the perches would let it flex with more ease.

yotadork83 · « **Reply #15 on:** Jun 07, 2007, 10:02:12 AM »

how hard were the bushings? it looks like you need some more weight in the rear also your tires are small and weight next to nothin. i used the only the main leafs and the rest were waggys and the were awsone.

milla85 · « **Reply #16 on:** Jun 07, 2007, 03:52:18 PM »

The bushings where hard and cracked. The 31's on it now are till my 35s show up, so that should help with the weight issue. yotadork83 are the waggies the same width as the fords(2.5 in)?

yotadork83 · « **Reply #17 on:** Jun 08, 2007, 06:14:46 AM »

close to it.

Jordan7118 · « **Reply #18 on:** Oct 30, 2007, 07:48:44 AM »

Back from the dead for possibly some updates

Bs85 · « **Reply #19 on:** Oct 30, 2007, 06:50:29 PM »

yea i wouyldnt mind seeing an update either since i have these springs sitting in the bed of my truck waiting to be installed...

Jordan7118 · « **Reply #20 on:** Oct 31, 2007, 09:01:10 AM »

Still nothing??? Anybody???

YotaJosh · « **Reply #21 on:** Oct 31, 2007, 02:45:48 PM »

I'd like to know:

1. What years of Ford trucks to pull these from
2. How far to move the front hanger and shackle hanger
3. More pics from others

I'm seriously thinking about running these vs 63" chevys, and want to hammer out the details before I go junkyarding.

Bs85 · « **Reply #22 on:** Oct 31, 2007, 04:50:13 PM »

mine are off of a 90 2wd f150 but i havent installed them yet so i cant answer your other question yet

lilbuddy · « **Reply #23 on:** Oct 31, 2007, 08:05:55 PM »

Quote from: YotaJosh on Oct 31, 2007, 02:45:48 PM

I'd like to know:

1. What years of Ford trucks to pull these from
2. How far to move the front hanger and shackle hanger
3. More pics from others

I'm seriously thinking about running these vs 63" chevys, and want to hammer out the details before I go junkyarding.

1. Late 80s to early 90s ford F150 2wd. The 4wds have a 3" version nthat still flex well but are not as good.
2. I moved mine 5.5inches forward
3. I can get some more pics if wanted but the 4runner and the 81 longbed truck are both mine.

Mine are pretty bent up now after quite a bit of wheelin and they sagged a lot. I broke a lift block and ubolt on one side so it twisted the crap out of my driver side spring so I need to get new ones

I love the springs though. I recommend them to almost everyone I talk to that are on a budget build.

Jordan7118 · « **Reply #24 on:** Nov 01, 2007, 12:39:13 AM »

Quote from: YotaJosh on Oct 31, 2007, 02:45:48 PM

I'd like to know:

1. What years of Ford trucks to pull these from
2. How far to move the front hanger and shackle hanger
3. More pics from others

I'm seriously thinking about running these vs 63" chevys, and want to hammer out the details before I go junkyarding.

Josh, I pulled mine from an early 90's ext. cab 2wd. Make sure you get the u-bolts and plates, as these are a great way to do a u-bolt flip on the cheap. I pulled mine from the U-Pull It in Cabot, and they didn't charge extra for the u-bolts or plates. Not sure if that's protocol or if I was sneaky about it.

I moved my front hanger forward 8.5" to get the best shackle angle on my 4Runner, and that also stretched out my wheelbase a little. Mock it up, put weight on it, then see if you like it. I started out by moving it 10" forward eye-to-eye from the existing front hanger, but that gave me an almost vertical shackle angle. I'm much happier with the 72 degree rake of the shackles as it currently sits.

I'm still working on figuring out which bushings I'd like to use. I'm using Marlin's sloped hangers, and the Ford bushing use a metal sleeve inside the bushings that you might have to grind down on the outside to make work like I did.

You can find more pictures here http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7421614&postcount=62

One more thing - I'm running the springs "backwards" in comparison to how Fords are set up from the factory with them. They have a 25" front to center measurement and a 32" center to rear measurement (same as Chevy's 32"-32" setup). So, you gain a little length without all the overhang of the Chevy's. I'm told they flex well, too, but I'm still waiting on pictures.

Josh, call me if you need more help - 501/617-3282 c.

Jordan

Jordan7118 · « **Reply #25 on:** Nov 01, 2007, 12:40:59 AM »

Quote from: LILBUDDY on Oct 31, 2007, 08:05:55 PM

3. I can get some more pics if wanted but the 4runner and the 81 longbed truck are both mine.

Hey, would you mind posting up some pics of both of these? I would like to see the pictures of the 4Runner, and I bet Josh would like to see the pictures of the longbed. Thanks!

YotaJosh · « **Reply #26 on:** Nov 01, 2007, 07:10:11 AM »

Quote from: Jordan7118 on Nov 01, 2007, 12:40:59 AM

Hey, would you mind posting up some pics of both of these? I would like to see the pictures of the 4Runner, and I bet Josh would like to see the pictures of the longbed. Thanks!

Yes, please. And did you have to move the shackle hanger as well, or just the front hanger?

The U-Pull-It on Baseline has a few of these Fords, and they are open on Sundays now

Jordan7118 · « **Reply #27 on:** Nov 01, 2007, 08:36:41 AM »

For me, I just moved the front hanger. The rear should be good. It should work for you as well, as I believe we share the same length springs.

Yep, went to the Baseline one on a Sunday and saw several Fords. Make darn sure you get them from an F150 and not an Explorer or Ranger. You may even want to measure them to make sure they are 32" - 25" or about that along the spring. Good luck!

Steve97TJ · « **Reply #28 on:** Nov 01, 2007, 08:55:32 AM »

Just curious as to why yall chose these over the chevy's? I know the chevys are longer but are there any more advantage to running these as opposed to the chevys? Trying to decide what springs to run in the rear of my truck.

YotaJosh · « **Reply #29 on:** Nov 01, 2007, 09:21:04 AM »

Quote from: Steve97TJ on Nov 01, 2007, 08:55:32 AM

Just curious as to why yall chose these over the chevy's? I know the chevys are longer but are there any more advantage to running these as opposed to the chevys? Trying to decide what springs to run in the rear of my truck.

For me, the length. And I believe that once the hangers are moved, you can pick up Marlin springs (or other similar) and they will bolt in without having to re-move the hangers (I can't confirm this, but I heard it somewhere).

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