overload springs

Blue Cloud · Post by **Blue Cloud** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 2:43 pm

I've been thinking about removing the overload springs from my 71 F250 4x4. When there is no weight in the bed they rattle on almost every bump in the road, when I have a load on they quiet down some but still rattle-slap when I hit a big bump. I don't ever carry alot of weight, sometimes a half a bed of firewood or so, but I'm careful not to load it real full, tho I think it could handle it alright. Is this a good idea or will removing the overload spring cause problems?

19674x4 · Post by **19674x4** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 2:46 pm

ide go ahead and take em off. i constantly load my f250 highboy full of rock and firewood and i dont have overloads. handles it just fine. I do have overloads on my 83 but i have rarelly had a load in the bed heavy enough to make full contact with the overloads. Your ride will soften up to when you take them off.

Post by **FORDification** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 7:01 pm

If you decide to remove them, also grind off the rivets holding the frame brackets and save them as well. I know quite a few folks have been wanting to add the overloads, but they haven't had much luck finding those frame brackets in the junkyards. That way you could sell them as a complete set.

Post by **DuckRyder** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 7:49 pm

FORDification wrote:If you decide to remove them, also grind off the rivets holding the frame brackets and save them as well. I know quite a few folks have been wanting to add the overloads, but they haven't had much luck finding those frame brackets in the junkyards. That way you could sell them as a complete set.

And then send me an E-Mail...I've been thinking of adding them to my truck...

cghstrojan08 · Post by **cghstrojan08** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 8:42 pm

The moron that I bought my 1982 F-250 4x4 from welded a triagle looking peice of medal in between the regular and overload springs. Sorry to ask a question but any idea why?

fordman · Post by **fordman** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 8:44 pm

maybe to stiffen the springs up.

Blue Cloud · Post by **Blue Cloud** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 9:15 pm

I'll probably only remove the spring and see how everything does first, in case I have to put it back on. If it rides OE.KA. I'll take the brackets off.

averagef250 · Post by **averagef250** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 11:26 am

Your springs are very worn or you have a good bit of weight in the bed in those pictures. The overloads aren't supposed to be that close to the brackets unloaded. There are a couple inches in there usually.

I put a lot of miles on these trucks with overloads and never had the overloads slap the frame brackets.

FLATBEDFORD · Post by **FLATBEDFORD** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 11:35 am

averagef250 wrote:Your springs are very worn or you have a good bit of weight in the bed in those pictures. The overloads aren't supposed to be that close to the brackets unloaded. There are a couple inches in there usually.

I put a lot of miles on these trucks with overloads and never had the overloads slap the frame brackets.

If you're getting all that slap running empty, your main springs are probably worn out.

Blue Cloud · Post by **Blue Cloud** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 12:39 pm

Yeah, probably both.

I've got 2 spares, a cross bed (gull-wing) tool box with tools and every spare part I can carry, and a wooden box with a handyman jack and anything else I might possibly need. I go places where the walk out can be a LONG way, so I bring along everything I can think of!

It wouldn't surprise me that after 37 years the springs are a little weak tho.

FLATBEDFORD · Post by **FLATBEDFORD** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 1:24 pm

While we're talking springs. Replace or re-arch?

72hiboy4x4 · Post by **72hiboy4x4** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 6:51 pm

FORDification wrote:If you decide to remove them, also grind off the rivets holding the frame brackets and save them as well. I know quite a few folks have been wanting to add the overloads, but they haven't had much luck finding those frame brackets in the junkyards. That way you could sell them as a complete set.

HMM I wonder whats in that boxed stuff I have here....maybe a full set of brackets? Too bad the overload springs went away yesterday....

FLATBEDFORD · Post by **FLATBEDFORD** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 1:42 pm

At rockauto.com they have the springs for my F350 for $165 each. Shipping is a little steep, but they are heavy. I figure my local guy could get them at the same price for me. I don't know yet how this compares to having them re arched by a spring shop. There is no listing for 1970, but they are the same from '67-'97 for the F350 DRW. I've measured and compared a few trucks. I don't know if the F250 springs are the same too.

72highboy4x4, I scrapped a set of helpers last month too. I didn't bother to cut off the brackets. I already bought a complete setup from ebay for $100 shipped last year.

averagef250 · Post by **averagef250** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 3:09 pm

F-350 2wd standard GVW are the same rear springs as the F-250 4x4. The HD F-350 cab chassis with the 13 leaf pack and monster overloads are obviously different, but fit in the same spot.

I'd get them re-arched by a good shop.

FLATBEDFORD · Post by **FLATBEDFORD** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 4:05 pm

Any idea what re-arch would cost?

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