85 front springs

coainpaso

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I'm fairly new to Ford but not a stranger to leaf springs. These springs look pretty worn out and the truck sits pretty close to the bump stops. Everybody I talk to says 'that's the way fords are'.
Rear half of front spring-
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Front half of front spring-
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Bad pic of the bump stop-
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Need new? Or is this the way they are? Truck sits mostly level, a little rake.


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coainpaso

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85 6.9
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hce

So can i....
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They never had much space between the bumpstop, but yours does look to be on the low side. Other thing to note is your tires appear to have slight positive camber, if it has the original camber/caster bushings its sitting correct. How is that for an ambiguous answer?
 

8gitmusik1

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Leaf spring info

I'm no pro but have dealt with my share of spring issues over the years.

To me, IMO, your springs, from the pics, look like they need rebuilding/re-arching, just from what can be seen from the deflection.

The front and rear leaf springs were adaquate from Ford, for that year model but many have since upgraded, rebuilt or added an additional leaf or two.

It will depend on what your ride quality needs are and what you use the truck for primarily.

Some suggestions:

1. Go to SRI and read.

The Spring Research Institute is the gold standard which the entire leaf spring industry is based upon.

SRI compliant manufacturers use these standards to make sure that their springs and components conform to the high quality and accuracy.

http://www.springresearch.org/_english/home.aspx

NOTE: update, I hadn't been to the SRI site in about 8-10 years. It used to be free and had just about all the specs you could ever want regarding leaf and coil suspension springs, but, alas, NOW, they are charging a subscription cost to use their knowledgebase. SORRY- unless you know someone in the industry or a suspension shop that has access, your options are searching the web and asking folks on sites like this one.

2. Also, go follow the website link below and update your knowledge on leaf springs which may help you and answer your questions. Hope some of this helps.

https://infogalactic.com/info/Leaf_spring
 
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coainpaso

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Excellent. Thank you. I’ll read up. Truck rides decent on paved roads, but I’m fairly certain that it bottoms out frequently as soon as I get to the ranch. Bushings on these springs are worn as well.

Shocks are new [emoji106]
 

u2slow

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Don't know why the 3-leaf TTB springs weren't used under all the diesels. Dayton 43498HD or have a spring shop cook you up something similar.

My Dad had this sag problem with poor alignment and tire wear on his '84 F350 crew (gas/TTB) until he got the beefed up springs.
 

8gitmusik1

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Nice truck. I had a similar xtracab in 1990. Liked that truck and miss the simplicity. Hope you sort out your front spring issues

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Clb

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mine looked just li!e yours...
I put new ats (I think???) (not impressed!)Springs under the 93 new shackles\bushes thruout...
Nuthing changed.

It's getting ttb bushes this week, then aligned.
 

coainpaso

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Every one I've seen in the last couple days looks more or less the same. I don't want new springs because I don't want it taller. But I want to at least get new bushings, right side seems worse than the left.
 

Clb

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There is a post here about doing the bushes..
Try energy suspension, in a search.
It may be a stickie or in the tech section...

Heads up.
Ya cannot get up travel without gaining height tho.
 

coainpaso

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Thanks for the bushing info. As far as height goes, completely agree and understand. But I know that if I replace the front and it brings it up then I will probably want to bring the rear up too. Looking at the springs mentioned earlier and I'll probably get to it soon. I'll TRY to remember to post results.
 

u2slow

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With TTB, there is a sweet-spot for height that gives the best alignment. Find that spot, and you don't need funky offset camber bushings for your balljoints.
 

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