F250 Springs On An F100 Will It Work?

[FordTruck]

I've got a question before I start tracking down parts, can I put F250 leaf springs on my 70 F100. Is there certian years that'll fit so I don't get the wrong ones. Also can I use BB springs in place of my SB ones. I want to stiffen up the suspension and also I thought that 250 stuff would make it sit up a little higher. Any help or advice would be appreciated

[fordman]

i think if they are both flexomatic types they will interchange.

[FORDification]

The eyelets on the F250 springs are larger than the ones on the F100 springs, thus a larger diameter bolt is needed....and of course a larger hole in the frame brackets. You'll either need to use the F250 frame brackets or drill out the existing brackets to accomodate the larger bolt. Don't just ream out the hole with a file or die grinder, since the hole needs to fit the bolt exactly.

[saidyene]

Will it raise the vehicle though and how much? I would like mine to sit just a couple inches higher but i dont want to pay alot for a lift kit.

[FordTruck]

Dang Keith you know it all

What about 4x4 rear springs and front springs will they fit or will it make the front sit so high I wouldn't be able to get it aligned? Also one more thing does it have to be the flex-o-matic to work and did 4x4's use flex-o-matic?? Sorry for all the questions at once but will 250 stuff stiffen up my suspension and maby make it sit a little higher??

[FORDification]

Unless your current springs are worn out and sagging, the F250 springs aren't going to lift the truck much, aside from the added height of the additional leaves that the F250 springs have...they'll just give you added payload and make the truck ride much stiffer. For lift, you're either going to need to get your springs rearched or use lift blocks between the springs and the rearend. You can get factory lift blocks from a 4WD in several different heights.

If you alter the spring height on the front you're just going to be messing with the camber, which might/might not be able to be corrected by cold-bending the I-beams (by a qualified truck suspension shop). I'd suggest against it.

Or you can get the AutoFab 2WD lift kit, but it's $$$.

[FordTruck]

Yeah my leaf springs are shot one sides almost flat. But I hate how the passenger side sags also the suspension dosen't seem stiff like a truck should like if you bounce around in the bed the hole truck shakes and it just dosen't seem right. Do the lift block just go btween the springs and the axle and are they something that could be made? I guess I'll try and find some big block springs for the front and see what happens.

[FORDification]

Here's a comparison shot of some springs I removed from parts trucks.



You can see that the F100 springs actually have more arch, but since there are fewer leaves, they'll settle down quite a bit more when installed, due to the weight of the truck. You'll also notice how the F250 spring plate is located under the axle tube instead of up on top of the leaves like an F100, thus requiring different size and shape U-bolts.

Here's a shot of the eyelets...you can see how the F250 springs are much thicker.


Yes, the lift blocks go between the leaves and the rearend. This will also require longer U-bolts, obviously. The blocks have a dowel on one side to fit down into the spring pad on the rearend, and a hole on the other side to accept the spring pack bolt. These probably aren't something you should try to fabricate yourself...not that it couldn't be done, I would just recommend against it. The factory blocks also contain eyelets for the U-bolts, to keep them in place. These can be found in several different heights, depending on the truck model.

[FordTruck]

Thanks for the pictures Keith!!
Atleast now I have an idea about what I need to find now the hunt begins Just to make shure the springs will have to be off of a flex-o-matic rear suspension right?

[FORDification]

No, not at all. The frame brackets are the same for both. As long as you get the matching shackles with whatever springs you get, they'll work. That is, regular springs/shackles or Flex-o-matic springs/shackles will both fit the frame brackets. You just can't put regular shackles on Flex-o-Matic springs, or vice-versa.

[FordTruck]

No, not at all. The frame brackets are the same for both. As long as you get the matching shackles with whatever springs you get, they'll work. That is, regular springs/shackles or Flex-o-matic springs/shackles will both fit the frame brackets. You just can't put regular shackles on Flex-o-Matic springs, or vice-versa.

Oooh ok that helps alot is it just 67-72 springs that'll fit or can I use dent ones too? Thanks for all your help with this little project Keith
Thease ones will work right??
also just something I've been wondering have you shipped any of the fordification decals yet because my mom said the payment had been cashed so I was just wondering.

[FORDification]

The dentside leaf springs are wider, so they won't fit the bumpside frame mounts...but that doesn't mean you couldn't also use the dentside mounts if you had to. It would just mean grinding off some rivets and bolting them on with Grade 8 hardware.

Be patient....the decals are coming.