Truck leaning (kinda long)

[iamthewreckingcrew]

I did the front disc brake swap last spring. All went well. I stayed with a manual setup and the brakes work great.

Well, I used my original springs (240 I-6 springs). The truck has a 302 in it now. After my front end swap, the truck leaned to the passenger front and the passenger front tire leaned in slightly at the top. I found out here that the passenger side spring is longer and could cause this problem.

Today, I took the springs out and I did have the longer spring on the driver's side, so I swapped them. I got it all back together and it still leans the same way it did before. I thought it was just in the front before too. Well, I got out the tape measure and the truck leans to the passenger side front and back. The measurements were 1 1/4 inch lower on passenger front and 1 inch lower on passenger rear. Dangit. Now what?

So I decided to jack the front corner under the frame to see what would happen. I jacked it up until I got an even measurement from side to side in front and that got the rear within 1/4 inch side to side in the rear.

What do you guys think the problem is?

I put the front springs side to side when I had them both out, and one was taller, but only by about 3/4 of an inch. Are my springs bad?

Now, one more monkey wrench in the equation...I'm swapping in a 460 this summer, so should I just get new springs?

Thanks for any help on this subject.

[19674x4]

new springs would be the best bet. they are probably losing thair arch. they arent that expensive and after 40 years it would prolly improve your ride

[ford4x4fun]

new springs would be the best bet. they are probably losing thair arch. they arent that expensive and after 40 years it would prolly improve your ride

[iamthewreckingcrew]

I'm just wondering if that is really my problem. Does anyone know about how much taller the passenger spring is supposed to be?

I already had new springs in the plans, but I want to make sure I don't have another worse problem. The donor truck did not lean, but I didn't use the springs from that truck.

[ford4x4fun]

I don't know what else could be the problem, maybe a bad shock, or a combination week spring bad shock. But other than that, if nothing is blantently hanging, I would say try that. But than again it is easy to spend someone else's Money!

[wt4speed#2]

Did you drive it at and let it shake down?

[iamthewreckingcrew]

It has brand new shocks. I only pulled it out of the garage and back in to let the tires settle. I thought about going for a spin around the block, but it isn't insured right now and I don't want to tempt fate.

I'm betting and hoping that it's the spring. Everything else looks good. And when I jacked the passenger front corner, it sure looked a whole bunch better.

[fordman]

let the air out the the drivers side tires. seriously. you said the front tire leans in at the top. did you replace the king pins when you did your swap. maybe that king pin is bad. maybe the i beam was bent when you got it.. replacing the sprimgs could ebe what you need to do all the way around. as far as factory springs being longer or shorter i have never seen that true yet. i have parted three bumps down and removed the springs all of them were the sa,e size and thickmess. the dentside i parted out i thought wre the same size springs also. spartman could tell you i think he got the sprimgs with the front end i sold him.

[old_mare]

I agree with Fordman. I measured my springs (just had them out yesterday afternoon) and they are the same. The older trucks do have a 'sag' after several years. In fact I learned that on this site .

I would replace springs all around and see if that helps. Short of something being bent, I can't see what else might be the problem.

hth,
-JT-

[basketcase0302]

Iam,

I'd first cycle the suspension for a good ride like Tony said above.
Then, coils are'nt really that expensive. Just a pain sometime to get out without kaos happening!

Basketcase

[FLATBEDFORD]

I'd say replace the coils and find a good spring shop to re-arch the rears. A good shop will know what to do to get it leveled out.