'96 E-350 rear leafs for a '67 F-350 ?

[nytreeman]

I was wondering if the leaf springs from a late 90's 1 ton dually van would fit my '67 F-350 dually if I swapped the mounts/shackles/springs? I saw a nice heavy pair at the junkyard but didn't have a tape to measure the length.I assume if they do work they are a wider spring so I'd at least have to widen my spring perches?

[FLATBEDFORD]

I think they are much wider. You can use the rears from up to '97 F350s. They are the same size. I went to a spring shop and they said they would remove, re-arch, add a leaf, replace bushings, and reinstall with new U-bolts for about $450. With all the work involved, it seems a better way to go than with junk yard stuff.

[AlleyCat]

Steve's right.Vans use 3" wide springs.I don't think they will clear the inside dual.

[FLATBEDFORD]

I actually meant to say that they are much longer. They have a totally different shape too. They have much less arch.

[nytreeman]

Yes they are a longer flatter spring but my springs don't have to much arch left to them anyhow,they are 10 leaf springs with a single really thick leaf above as a helper.It has only 1" gap between the helper and its stop when it's empty

[FLATBEDFORD]

You need to visit your local spring shop. I have 11 leaves main, and my helpers are 3 leaves from a mid 80's F350. One of my rear springs has sagged much more than the other. Almost 2" difference.

[nytreeman]

Yes but the guy at my local spring shop is an ahole I hate to even call there he makes you feel like your bothering him just to talk to you

[FLATBEDFORD]

Too bad. The guy who runs Danbury Auto Spring in Danbury, Ct. is a good guy. Too bad he's about 35 miles from me. Or about 235 miles from you.

[nytreeman]

Yes that 200 miles extra makes a big difference

[nytreeman]

Yes the guy at the spring shop near here would huff and puff and say "what year??? probably have to send em out,I don't know when we'd have a chance,but youd have to pull em yourself,should just buy new," I ask how much for new he huffs and puffs then the phone rings he swears at it,answers phone,I stand there looking stupid 10 -15 mins finally gets done stares at me like he forgot everything I said I say "can you get new?" huff puff "i don't know I'd have to look it up"I say "can you?" He says "what year??? Idon't know probably have to custom make them"
Phone rings again I just leave all pissed off and no farther ahead then I was. I know because my '73 high-boy broke its springs ended up going with used=easier in the end

[FLATBEDFORD]

My guy does all the work in his shop. He would rather re-arch than replace mine. I broke a rear leaf on my '83 F250 about 15 years ago in New York City. I brought it to him and he took it apart, made a new leaf and put it all back together while I waited.

[nytreeman]

Thats very cool,nice to know shop or parts people that like to help you out

[FLATBEDFORD]

I'm lucky. I have a few real good guys around me. I also have an independent parts store. Only the owner is behind the counter and he has or will get just about anything I've needed. His prices are fair and cash always gets a discount. He's old enough to have a huge amount of information, and young enough that he should be around for a while. He'll even leave stuff outside his shop when I can't get there before closing time. I just pay him next time I see him.

[nytreeman]

My local parts place is good too he owns his own shop but is a NAPA supplier but he'll get parts from anywhere he can,really has helped me out alot of times too going out of his way to find parts that no one else could or would and the machine shop I go to the is great really nice guy and will try to rush things through if your in a bind etc. The spring guy is.........a prick,

[AlleyCat]

I have a good spring shop nearby too.I pass it every day on the way to work. It doesn't matter to them if I'm working on an F100 or a Mack with 55,000 lb rear suspension.Service is great and the price is fair.