front springs

[big_r101]

what is the width of the front leaf springs? i was curious if they were 3 inch wide ones, cause i might swap over a ford 3 inch wide 4 leaf stack (not off a junkyard truck but new ones from NPD) i would go with new chevy ones but there only 2.5 inches wide and get an add-a-leaf kit but i want wider leafs up front

[big_r101]

and ive kept reading up on some sites and it they keep saying stock ones are 3 inches wide, but all aftermarkets are 2.5 inches wide

[jltait]

I do not know about the aftermarket springs but the OEM springs are 3" or at least very close...maybe 2 15/16. I have looked at using the ford springs and they will work if you do some fab work. The OBS (?-1996 or 1997 for F250HD or F350) are about the same from the center pin forward to the front mount. They are longer however from the spring center pin to the rear mount, therefore the rear spring shackle will need to be move. CK5 site has alot of good information on shackle location and optimum angles. The other spring option is the super duty springs...These should offer an abundant range of spring rates but on the downside require both the front and rear mount locations to move and the front will be right on the very edge of the front of the frame. I still think it is doable but it requires careful planning. Keep in mind the old OBS trucks often use Twin Traction Beam...DO NOT USE THESE SPRINGS. I had an OBS F250 that was TTB, I converted it to solid axle with a F350 Dana 60.....IT rode HORRIBLE. The twin traction beam requires a very stiff spring compared to a solid axle. F350 springs on the solid axle are actually softer than the F250 springs (by far) on the TTB setup. My recommendation is to use either OBS F350 2 leaf pack or the Super Duty Leaf pack...
Here is a link with the super duty and excursion spring information http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/61...0-springs.html

Good luck with your project..sounds cool.
JLT

[bbc71]

front springs are tapered. from 2.5 inches at the center to 3" at the ends

[bbc71]

I bought a 2" lift spring for the front and added it to the 2 stock negative arch springs. It rode so stiff that I bounced in the seat 3 times for each bump in the road. I am taking it out to soften it back up. I called all of the lift kit manufacturers and no one makes a tapered spring that goes from 2.5-3". they sell a 2.5" spring and require a bushing to make up the gap at the shackles. I have 33" tires and need about 2" of lift. The only springs I found online are positive arched springs.