Coil Spring Height Difference

[Chasbod]

I remember reading sometime back that the front end coils are different heights. I just yanked my front end and the driver side was taller than the passenger side. I thought it was supposed to be the other way around?

If the engine is closer to the passenger side of the truck it would make sense that the passenger side is supposed to get the taller spring. But then w/ the twin I-beam geometry, who knows.

Hope someone on the forum does!

Thanks. CB

[fordman]

i cant remember myself but it was in a post that boots wrote were he was talking about lengthing his radius arms. i searched a couple of weeks ago and found it but i don't remeber what was said about it now. i forgot.

[Chasbod]

I dug into my parts manual this morning and found out that Ford used a color coding system for designating the left and right springs. For year model 71, there is a major split at truck serial #M00,001 before and after.

The parts designation after M00-001 are more specific and are listed by engine type, F class, wheelbase and w/ or w/o A/C.

But mine is an "L" series so the only break down is by 8 cyls vs 6. The difference between springs at this point is based on the "Average Capacity at Pad" which could be either 1250, 1175 or 1300.

I'll have to see what NAPA has to say about it.

I did read where coil springs can have a big impact on the alignment so I guess it pays to be a bit careful on them.

[FORDification]

The taller spring is on the passenger side.