Topic: Ford 150's vs Mazda 2wd springs for rear of 85 PU

[Volcom]

It seems like lately I've been searching these two topics so much that I keep switching between the two for springs to run on the rear of an 85 PU that hopefully will be running 37's and quite a bit of trimming. 

Which spring is the better choice?  With the Fords, axle wrap is going to be less.  The only negative I've heard maybe a bad rear shackle angle and having to repostion the rear spring hanger.  Anybody run into that problem?

On the Mazdas, good flex but axle wrap will be worse than Fords.  Most seem to run a traction bar of some sorts.  Could I get away with running a small leaf turned upside down  like Roger Brown has done? 

I'm not a big fan of the 63" Chevys.  I don't really like the long shackles length that most have to run.  But if worse comes to worse, I could run them.

Sorry to bring this topic up again but I'm headed to the junkyards this weekend and I need to get started on the rear of the truck so I can steal the rear springs for the front 

[billy hill]

Just my  but. I think the Mazda's would be better because they're designed for a lighter weight truck. And the Ford springs probabally wouldn't flex really well unless you had some weight in the bed. Plus antiwrap bars are cheap and easy to build...

[Skinny_Pedal]

have any of u guys seen firballs first rig. it ran f150s. let him discuss

[IronClad]

buddy o mine  ran  f100's up front and f150s  out back with a drop shackle setup  and no wrap bar. it flexed  VERY  well.




They flex alot better than  most would think  and  do not  need alot of weight.  in the truck above  all he had was the gas tank moved to the rear  and BARELY  had a bed on it for  normal wheeling  .  Id trust the f150s  alot more than the mazdas  strength wise too.

[86yota]

Id go F-150.  They flex just as well.  Its a whole lot easier to move a spring hanger than it is to build a good anti wrap bar that actuall works, is strong, and does not limit your flex.

[Uncle Jesse]

The mazda packs are nice, I set those up on my 84 but sold it before I wheeled it too much.  As for the f150 springs, I am amazed at the amount of wheel travel you can get with these springs, even on a stock f150!  I've hoisted a few up in the air, and they droop real well from just the weight of the axle and wheels.  Also, I think its possible to just run a stock f150 pack, where as with the mazda's I needed four packs to make two.

[94toytruck]

how much lift do f150 packs give you and which years are desirable??? thanks

[1Bad4Runner]

I'm running a modified Mazda pack, works great and flexes well. It is similar to the f-150 I would say.

The 3 top leaves are Mazda and the 3 bottom leaves are chev 1/2 ton. Works very well.

Hope this helps 

[mr4x42u]

mazda springs bend way too easy ..i have seen many bend and snap..Go with the for pack and forget the mazda stuff..

[1Bad4Runner]

My secondary leaf goes almost all the way to each end on the mazda leaf so there are not many places for weaknesses.

But go with whatever you think will be right.

[YOguyDa]

how much lift do f150 packs give you and which years are desirable??? thanks

What he said....Ive been looking into the subject, for my '81. Thanks.

[mr4x42u]

Id go F-150.  They flex just as well.  Its a whole lot easier to move a spring hanger than it is to build a good anti wrap bar that actuall works, is strong, and does not limit your flex.

a good track bar is easy to build..And to build one that won;t limit flex is also easy..Use a slip and twist design..My track bay can rotate 360 degress if my springs would let it..It don;t limit flex at all..I use no heims and all solid bushings and it was cheap to build..I think i have about 40 bucks into my wrap bar..

Problem with duel shackles and buggy leafs is if get into a position where you need to back up on a steep incline like a water fall you run a chance of unloading the buggy leaf or duel shackle and bending it all under your truck..Its a nice concept but not really the way to go..

[83YOTASR5]

GO WITH F-150'S, i have them on my 83 and all i did was add a 2" toyota add-a-leaf and run 38.5 boggers with no rubbing and great flex. refrence year is like 85-91 2wd f-150, im pretty sure I used 89 springs

[Volcom [OP]]

GO WITH F-150'S, i have them on my 83 and all i did was add a 2" toyota add-a-leaf and run 38.5 boggers with no rubbing and great flex. refrence year is like 85-91 2wd f-150, im pretty sure I used 89 springs

Nice 5 year bump bro!!!