Can anyone tell me what the difference is between the front leaf springs of a 78-79 F-250 from the springs for anything above a 1980. I want to get my truck up on 8" springs and Superlift only lists them for 1980 on up. Most other companies only go as high as a 6" lift for my year. However they all list the rear springs to work from like 73-99. What's up with that?

I'm not too familiar with the late 70s stuff, but as long as they're 3" wide springs, you should be able to get later model ones to work. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong. Otherwise you could go with custom springs, but then you're looking to spend more $$$.

You could also do some junkyard scrounging. 90s 2wd F-Super Duty(I think that's what they're called), had front springs with a good amount of arch to them....You can kinda tell from this pic:
http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/254748/fullsize/arch.jpg

Goodluck finding those f450 super duty springs in a junkyard. I tried with no luck.

Goodluck finding those f450 super duty springs in a junkyard. I tried with no luck.


Well, I dont like buying stuff blindly from wrecking yards, but http://car-part.com/ has 10 pages of springs listed for late 80s-90s F450s. It'd be worth a phone call to some of the yards, if you were REALLY interested.

78-79' use a 56-57 inch spring, 80 and up use soemthing a good bit shorter, 99 and up superduty springs work

another difference is that the center pin location is totaly different for the 78 79 compaired to the 80 and up springs. i put a set of 80 and up springs on my 79 once to see if they would work and it pushed the axle way forward.

another difference is that the center pin location is totaly different for the 78 79 compaired to the 80 and up springs. i put a set of 80 and up springs on my 79 once to see if they would work and it pushed the axle way forward.

Like how far forward. Like no chance of getting a tire under there without contacting the fender? Because I am thinking that the 70's wheelwell's had more space in that area than the 80's trucks did. I am only thinking of running 35" to maybe, possibly.... well who am I kidding .... probably a 40" tire, and they probably would fit now (with minimal clearance) and the truck sits only two inches above stock.

78-79' use a 56-57 inch spring, 80 and up use soemthing a good bit shorter, 99 and up superduty springs work


So 99 and up superduty springs are a bolt on for 78-78 fords? Do the front and rear both fit?

My 67' had 2 1/2" wide springs... I got the rear 85' F350 3" wide springs on and working on the front.. of course the frame on the 85' is wider/bent different in the front so having some issues there. I have the front of the 85' frame also for drill templates so will be trying to match that up to the 67' frame and see if it will even match up at all? Dont have the 85' frame cut up yet to put up next to the 67' but in a few days I hope...I also have the front clip of a 78' F250 for back up but would need the new springs but they are also 3" wide just looks like a week shackle deal in the rear though, couple pieces of flat steel...

Todd

I used rear leaf springs for '80-96 F150/Bronco/250/350 up front in my truck. This will push your axle forward a bit and keep bigger meats out of your body mounts, you may also have to do some mods to your steering. 4" rear springs will give 6" of lift up front.

WHy not do some drop hangars? Or do you want lifted leaf springs for a front?

My backup plan was dropping the hangers which when you sit and stare at it long enough you can think of many different ways to do it. But I am not sure I like how that rear shackle would look. They are just 2 pieces of flat stock. I've also looked at the heavy duty extended shackles used by jeepers. But first choice is I would rather use a spring for the lifting.