replacement springs?

[hahn_rossman]

As I was gazing fondly at the undercarraige of my truck, it occurred to me that the front axel was about an inch from the bumpstop!

I can't imagine that the wheel is only suppossed to travel that much, and wondered how much those springs had sagged over the years...

Does any one have a good source for a replacement set? I'm not terribly interested in lifting the truck higher than stock, but if necessary I would consider a moderate lift.

Does any one have any idea what the stock ride height was?

 

[RedTruck]

Click

Good respectable reputation.

 

[Agnem]

An inch IS about the correct factory height. But like you, I'd want a little more.

 

[dancrowley]

Springs

Mel. I bought a 88 F350 for the ZF trans and Dana 60, but now I am thinking of swarping the 350 springs over to my 84 f250HD. Do you think it is worth it? Thank's. Dan

 

[Agnem]

Dan, Hard to say. I know the Dana 60 trucks rode on different springs than the IFS models. Unfortunately, I've never had an opportunity to study one. I imagine they would fit, but it would be hard to guess what would become of your camber angle.

 

[dancrowley]

Springs

Mel, I should have said that I wanted to put both the Dana 60 and the springs from the f350 on my 84. I just need to change the ratio on the Dana 60 from 410 to 354's. There is about 3 1/4" between the bump stop and the top of the spring on the F350 truck and only about 1" on the F250. I am also planing on doing away with the rear springs and replacing them with a airbag suspension, that way I should be able to level out the truck and get a better ride with or without my camper on. What do you think?
Thank's Dan

 

[sle2115]

I put 85 F350 springs with a helper spring on the front of my 87 F250, they were and exact fit but had about 3 inches of clearance versus the 3/4" or so the stock ones had. With the Dana 60, mine actually rides better, even with the helper springs. I am sure it was bouncing off the bump stops before as well.

 

[dancrowley]

Springs

sle2115, That's good to hear. My slide in camper is a little on the heavy side. I think with the 350 springs and a well designed airbag rear suspension I should be OK. Thank's. Dan

 

[93turbo_animal]

You may also want to look at your spring and axle pivot bushings as these were out and let the front end sag pretty bad

 

[dancrowley]

Springs

Aric, Before I took my 84 off the road to do a total restoration and before I found the Diesel site and this site I did a complete rebuild of the front end. Had I known then what I know now I chould have taken the $1500 I spent on it and put it into a Dana 60 in the first place. I am hoping that someone might need the old front end, ether that or I can always stick it back in the parts truck. Thank's for the info. Dan