F250 Rear Spring Flip

[87 Ford]

I'm in the process of putting a flat bed on my truck (meaning i have the bed off ! ) In order to bob the frame to it's fullest , I'm considering flipping the rear leaf springs,
( ie: long side of spring forward and short side to the back). My question is , What does this do to flex ? Better, worse the same ??? I'm sure someones done it to their fullsize....(I just couldn't find the thread). If so....enlighten me if ya would. I want the 6 inches shorter bed this would give me but not at the cost of screwing up my rig.

Thanks

[AZFord4x4]

I'm not 100% sure, but I think it will point your pinion down a bit, & give you a bit more axle wrap... that's the only things I can think of. I'm not sure how it would effect wheel travel.

[87 Ford]

Hey ...thanks for the response, actually I thought that flipping the springs might have bean an easy thing to do but the more I look at it the more of a hassle it seems to be! It sounded real good in theory, but Id have to move all 4 spring hangers 6" forward, move my air tank, relocate the e brake brackets, find a new home for the rear gas tank, re route the exhaust........Geez all for 6" less bed. To top it off I was hoping Id get 100 replys telling me it would flex way better....I had tried to envision how it would affect wheel travel, but I kept getting brain freeze (something I picked up in the late 60's i think )! Looks like reality is hitting home hard. Might be time to put the stock bed back on and keep nerfing off tree's........Unless ,
oh nevermind, :shaking:
AGAIN..... thanks for your thoughts. :cool2:

[muddinmike]

I did it on my bronco to strech the weelbase out. I like it. Didn't seem to make flex any diferent and I dont have a noticable problem with axle wrap but I made the spring perches longer. And as far as pinion angle I had to weld new perches on that 14 bolt anyway so I just set it at what I wanted at the same time.

Mike

[87 Ford]

I did it on my bronco to strech the weelbase out. I like it. Didn't seem to make flex any diferent and I dont have a noticable problem with axle wrap but I made the spring perches longer. And as far as pinion angle I had to weld new perches on that 14 bolt anyway so I just set it at what I wanted at the same time.

Mike


Soooo you flipped the spring but didn't move the mounts if I understand.....right ? ANd flex is the same , Hmmm...
would love to get about 99 more replys like yours, there might be hope yet.....Thanks

[muddinmike]

yep. I haven't hit the ramp yet. most likely it would go farther up the ramp beacuse it has a longer wheelbase but the rti number would stay the same...................