After trying to swap my smoked 8.8" for a 9" rear and discovering that my rear leaf spring was hosed, I figured out a way to fix it with out spending $150 on a new leaf spring. And, no, it doesn't involve welding.

Starting out- only the top leaf was snapped- not an easy replacement since it has the spring eyes on it.

I did have a spare set of F250HD leaves; however, getting them off, and back onto the F150 would be a challenge, because after 20 years of salt and rust, some or all of the bolts would be seized. I matched & measured the top leaf of the F250, and to my delight, it was a match.

I managed to get the driver's side leaf without major trouble- the shackle was toast and the rear bolt was seized, so with a a MAPP gas torch and a little patience, I melted the bushing out and hammered the metal sleave out with a punch.

$7.39 and a trip to my friend's hydraulic press gets me a top leaf ready to roll.

After removing the rest of the broken leaf on the F150, I discovered that the next leaf down was broken as well.. So, now I am out of luck, right?

Nope. After glancing at my leaf springs with that 'special look' in my eyes, I discovered that the only differences between the F250 and F150 pack that the F250 has a bigger overload and 4th regular spring.

A trip to my buddy's workplace (a spring and driveshaft shop) netted me a center bolt and two spring clips for $10.00.

So, for under $20, I have a working leaf for a truck that is worth $50. It is possible that the spring rated are different, but I don't really think so after working with them..

the finished product (sans spring clips):




Not pretty but should work for a little while..

 

Sweet Bremen! I snapped one last summer and just replaced both of them with new Skyjacker springs but that's awesome you were able to salvage your springs for very little coin.

 

Skyjacker springs would be the way to go. Unfortionatly, I don't have the $400 for skyjackers.

The main purpose of this rig is serve as my truck for a little while, and it'll probably get 33s to go out and thrash a little bit. after i'm done, I want to get a bronco for my rig..

 

I had a few broken leafs on the DS when I first got my truck. I went to the local spring shop with the pieces and the guy matched 'em up & cut 'em down in about 10 minutes. Cost me $20 for two leafs, but I'm sure it'd be more for the main leaf.

Nonetheless, Good work on gettin' 'er done.

K.

 

bremen, theres a guy selling a 78\9 bronco in white oak. hes asking 400, he claims to have gone through the whole drivetrain in the past 10 yrs and claims only a couple hundred miles since it was his lot truck. hes askin 400 for it, which is what he claims to have spent on the 9" alone rebuilding it. its ugly, but just tossin it at you. rick's auto service is the name of the place i think. its a 1 mechanic owner vehicle supposedly.