Went for a search of the elusive F-150 leaf springs at the junkyard with no luck. I did however find a set of 1974 ford pinto springs. They have a 4 leaf pack and the front/rear eyes are roughly the same length/size as the stock rear fj-40 springs I have set in my cruiser now. (springs reversed, front mounts cut and rewelded in stock position, rear shackle mount in stock place). for now, I placed the pinto spring next to the stock cruiser spring and it looks like it will move the axle back about roughly another 5-7 inchs :) (this is with the add'd length of reversing the stock springs)

Anyone know if the 74 pinto spring is the same length/specs as the F150 spring? I will meausure mine tonite and post the specs tomorrow. I doubt they are as beefy as a f150 spring.

The pinto springs look to be fairly beefy. I guess I would compare them close to the YJ leaf springs that I put into my samari. If they are anything like the yj leafs, they should have some good flex to them.

Also it looks like just the rear hanger would have to be moved back to make them work and gain the add'd wheelbase.

Anyone else try this before, with this type of spring? I know the f-150 spring has been done. Thanks

:smokin: :smokin: :smokin: :smokin:

The Pinto spring will not absorb the load the the FJ40 places on it.
The spring rate is probably one third that of your original springs.

It may be comparable in size, but doubtful that it would hold up for any length of time with the additional weight and cycling of your suspension in an offroad condition.

Plus, you would be vulnerable for rear ended impacts and spontaneous Cruiser combustion!!!!

Hold out for the F150's and leave the Pinto springs on the Pintos!

$.02.

I guess I must be lucky, the guy up the street from me just left a pair of F150 springs outside my front gate
sorry to rub it in!

Found some specs, average pinto weights for 1974 was from
2300 to 2500 pounds.

Just out of curiosity, what does is a cruisers weight, minus hardtop/doors?

well, since I already have them, I am going to put them in and run them to see what they can do....

The sami guys would't be flexing now unless someone tried something new.

Anyone else run a rear spring besides the f150/cruiser type that moves the axle farther back? Any pics?

What about looking at some springs that are going to be more plentiful, maybe older chev cars or wagons
I have a pair of spare leafs from my little sisters 69 SS Nova, they look great, long, military wrap, nicely spaced leafs. I don't know what the weight of the Nova is so they might be a waste of time but my point is pick something more plentiful then a Pinto

I can't remember the last time I ever saw a pinto
There is a very large Cruiser population up here though

If the pinto springs are the same length as the cruiser springs but will add an additional 4-5 inches of wheelbase that would mean that the center pin is WAY off center. Correct?
If it is that much off center then you will have a horrible wrap problem and when your suspension droops the pinion will dive down hard.
But what the heck try it anyway!!

Basically, the junkyard I go to is not, how can one say, uptodate with anything...

The pretty much have a shed, with sections of leafsprings, coils, d-shafts, engines/trannys. The last time a vehicle was actually parted out there was probably the early 80's

I got the springs for $25 bucks, so I am going to try them... If they don't work, I will try something else or find the F-150's

Come awn, ford must of made at least something decent on the PINTO :)

I will meausure them tonite and get the specs on the center pin, basically I want the rear axle/tires as far back as possible without building a 1/4 elp and I want some decent flex.

wagoneer springs or something that might have similar weight applied to it?

Is your rig going Spring Over?????:rasta:

The rig is already spoa F/R, sittin on 38's :D

Didn't get a chance to meausure last nite, too busy at work.

Is there any other spring out there that has the center offset enough to move the axle back without the rear shackles hanging out the ass end to get cought up on?

I plan on having at least 1, possibly 3 trackion bars holding the rear end in place.

If you look at the pics of Jimmys and LeroyII rigs, I thought both where F150, but looking at the pics, the LeroyII spring is alot shorter and there is no shackle out the rear like jimmy's. I want my rear axle to sit like the rear axle on LeroyII :)

If you flip the rear spring hanger around 180 degrees, you would move the pivot point rearward by about 3.5".

Take this measurement (3.5")in addition to the pin to pin measurement on your TLC springs and then you have a the magic number for your new springs.

Any spring shop could build you a set for about 60.00 per side, or try another yard.

I lived in Ripon, Wi where is Stratford??

Rugburn

Stratford, is close to the middle of the state, 10 miles north of Marshfield. Lotsa :beer: :D

I already have my stock crusier springs flipped and the front flipped with the spoa... Personally I am not happy with the wheelbase yet and would like to get more out of it some way/somehow other than building a 1/4 elp

;)

rotating the rear hanger 180 and moving the front mount rearward 3.5 " on the frame is what I did to gain 7" additional wheelbase for the NP205 i am running in my rig.

Look for a write up on it in the TLCA archives.

I guy from Wisconsin, Drake Miller did it to his 40.

HTH:beer: and brats!!!!!!