95 F-150 front end question

[IHI]

LOL, I know it's not the ideal plow truck, but this thing has provided yrs of faithful service for my construction business and I want to try and make the front end live a little longer. I got by the first yr with no parts replaced. Second yr had to install new manual lockers. Next yr ball joints. This yr I installed new everything from u-joints, ball joints, all new steering components, tie rod ends, etc...

Now question: I used to run timbrens the first few yrs and they finally "blew out" and got lost on some lot somewhere. I'm thinking if I were to install air bags in the front coils to keep the factory ride heigth with plow installed this will take some of the stress off the front end componets when pow is attached during the winter? I know the weight will still be an issue, but it will just be the weight not compounded by excessive angle of parts if the bags are installed.

Anybody have any thoughts on this theory? LOL All parts installed this summer were Moog so I'm not worried about failure, just trying to nip it in the butt so I'm not in the shop paying emeregency fix it fees and freezing my tail off this winter:)

Was always a chevy man growing up, but this Ford has really changed my opinion and we just bought the wife a new Ford car so I think I'm forever changed. If wife could keep a car longer than a yr without getting into wrecks I would've had my SD by now:(

[wyldman]

The airbags inside the springs will work OK,but they aren't the best solution.

I prefer to add stiffer coils (yours are probably beat),and a set of Timbrens.The coils will ride better,and the Timbrens help bottoming when plowing.

[IHI]

Hey Wylman, I gave serious thought about different coils, but the truck is working it's way into "back-up" and employee truck so I dont want to put too much into it;) The shop here priced out new coils at $122.40 plus tax and said they'd work without bags, but I figured for $62.80 for bags and what I got it would work.

If you think the stronger coils would be the way to go, I'll do it since these are easily changed in these models. I'm just tryin to stay away from spending twice as much as I need to. wheather it be new timbrens or air bags with what I got, or plain and simply new coils and no other load booster.

Since this is my personal truck ( I used to plow for a company I worked for and know what a truck CAN be subjected too) plowing is babied at most, basically I plow for fun-no time frame pressure-so it's not like the truck is subjected to a huge amount of stress.

[wyldman]

My vote would still be for the coils.If it comes down to just money,then go with the bags.

You've got so much tied up in the front end now,what's $60 more to do it right ?

[IHI]

Point well taken, if I have to buy extra load booster on top of coils I'll split the bill with ya;) :p :D

Get'em comin Monday!!:cool:

[Pickering Snow]

IHI

Dont bother with the bags coils are the way to go the shop probley didnt bother to tell you that you will have has much labor into installing bags has if you were to change out the coils. My f150 is more than durable what i did was install coils for a F350 they will fit no problem and are very easy to install if you are even half handy you could install them yourself no problem make sure the retainer clip at the top of the spring hasnt rusted off do one side at a time jack up truck remove retainer clip and bolt remove lower shock bolt and let the jack down install your new spring use the old ride marks of the old spring to get the new ones close to were the old ones were jack back up install shock bolt and spring clip and bolt and away ya go if you do it yourself the springs would be way cheaper to like moogs would cost you around 90 bucks easy job

[IHI]

How is the ride with the 1 ton springs with no plow? What did it do to the stance of the truck when unloaded. Right now my ladder rack and tools on the bed are...real heavy, so it sits level right now. Dont wanna get it so the truck is all jacked up in the front while the back bumper is draggin:)

[Pickering Snow]

The truck doesnt really set that high after a season with the plow on the springs will settle just the same its not increasing the hieght its the load capiblity the springs are not that diff in over all length you will be fine i have timbrens on the rear of my 150 has well not to lift but for hauling wieght trust me i have done this and the results you will like

[wyldman]

Fred's right,the ride won't be bad at all.The 3/4 or 1 ton coils don't ride like the 1 ton leaf 4x4 setups.Way better,but will carry the weight better too.

[BOUNDS-ELECTRIC]

I saw a first last year! I saw a f-150 lifted with rubber bushings like used in nascar! He put them in with plow on takes them out for every day use! I saw him jack the truck up push them in!

[IHI]

Sounds like this will be the ideal fix then. Would I be better off going to a bone yard and getting the springs, I could probably get them for free since a friend of the family runs it, or just go to the parts store and get some new ones?

Out back I tried the timbrens first (had them at all 4 corners at that time) and the ride was making a lumber wagon look like a cadillac:) Took off the rear timbrens went to Friestone air bags, I liked them for pulling my car to the track and towing the skid loader, but even then the ride was kinda harsh. Took them out and went with the el-cheapo coil over springs add-ons out back. They worked great with load capacity and ride quality, but I installed them using the factory mounts and after 2 months of hauling 1 had fallen out somewhere and now the truck sits lop sided, LOL.

With the 150's you guys have been running, how's the drivetrain been holding up? I've got the 302 and AODE tranny with 148K on them. So far they seem to be in great working order (I keep having issues with the transfer case pulling away from the tranny every couple yrs and tranny shop said this is common) other than that seems to work great, I did' add the B&M shift improver yrs ago so I think that helped. I've got alot of experience with bowties and they're known problems, but I'm kinda on my own around here being about the only Ford guy in my group:)

[wyldman]

Scrapyard 1 ton springs will work,and you can't beat the price if they are free. :D

Probably the reason you had so much trouble with the Timbrens is they were doing all the work.When you have soft springs (1/2 ton),or they are beat,the Timbrens get overworked.It will ride like a tank,and eventually ruin the Timbrens.Quite common on F150's with plows.

[Garagekeeper]

I sure agee, do the coils.
But don't waste your time with "used" springs have the shop that did your front end work install a set of Moog Cargo Coils and be done with it.
They are a varible rate coil spring so they will hold the extra load and still give you a quality ride.
I do look to see if there is a spring available for an larger engine option as they will normally hold up better with plow usage.

:rolleyes: John...........................

[wyldman]

I would have to disagree with you on this on John.The "cargo coils" are almost the same as the original F150 coils,but they are progressive rate,and get stiffer as they compress.While this does keep the ride smooth,and improve load handling,it's not the best choice for a plow truck.

You need to keep the front end up at normal ride height,with the plow attached.This requires a much stiffer linear spring rate.This is even more crucial with TTB or IFS front end,as everything gets out of whack as the suspension compresses.The cargo coils do not get stiff enough soon enough to keep the front suspension geometry intact,and tire\component wear is greatly increased.The truck will also not plow very well with a nose heavy attitude.

I have tried numerous aftermarket springs,including the cargo coils in these F series applications.The 3/4 or 1 ton coil are a much better choice.They have the stiffer spring rate required.Even a used set would still be more than strong enough.

I would still add the Timbrens too,as the weight of stacking will still load the front end down pretty hard.The Timbrens really come into play here,and help keep the front end up.

[IHI]

Wyldman, you seem to know your stuff with this. My biggest fear is that once I install the 1ton springs the front end will be noticibly higher than the rear when the plow is not installed which will be 90% of the time unless the good lord blesses us with gobs of white stuff this yr.

A friend of mine jacked up his torsion springs in his light duty 3/4T chevy and it worked great wiht the plow installed and leveled the truck when plow was off the truck. Only down side we noticed with the front end rate jacked up, when we'd load up his race car it really exagerated the way the rear end went down. Looked like you had 10 tons of tounge weight since the front end reached for the sky. I've already got a ladder rack/tool boxes with both sides full of tools that brings the trucks weight in at just over 6100lbs after I unload at the land fill, so the rear end is squated already.

I know the perfect soultion is a 3/4-1 ton truck, but that's not happening till next yr, so I have to make due. How much would you guess the front end "jacks up" over the stock 1/2 ton coils when switching to the 1ton springs? Do youhappen to know off hand if the 3/4 tons leafs will bolt up directly in place of my current 1/2 ton rear leafs. I could easily handle swapping out all the springs on the truck if it's a unbolt/reattache type deal.

[Garagekeeper]

Yes Cargo Coils are a progressive rate spring, and that's how they work extra tight wound coils for the extra load carring and the extended coils so you still have a good ride
They work great!
And still give you a good ride and hold the load.
I have 1995 F-150 in the shop right now that has a new set on it and the plow's going on tomorrow
Have been installing them for many years and everyone has been please with the way they handle the load.
I do go to the next engine size listing if I have that option, plus the truck can be alighed generally without the extra expense of major offset cam bushings.

:rolleyes: John.........................

[SIPLOWGUY]

My 93 F150 with F250 Coil springs:

[SIPLOWGUY]

It deflects 1/4"

[SIPLOWGUY]

Sorry I meant to post this one:

[SIPLOWGUY]

I had to re-arc the rear springs to level the truck.

[SIPLOWGUY]

It rides a little firm and handles much better!

[SIPLOWGUY]

I'm sorry I did it again. I am obviously stupid.

[IHI]

Excellent pics!! heck if 3/4 ton springs do that, I'll stick with them instead of 1ton's, gotta be a little softer. What'd it cost you to rearch the rear springs? I wonder if just a helper under the spring pack would give me enough.

Sorry for all the questions guys, more a car guy then a truck guy-especially here in our area-not too many truck type events to really warrant modifying your rig in any shape or form-lots a farm trucks:)

[SIPLOWGUY]

Those are TRW CC844S springs. The application is an F250 2WD. The "S" at the end of the part number IS A MUST. That "S" designated a 600 LB. extra capacity specifically designed for a snowplow. Funny that the F250 coil spring suspension is a 2WD but the spring is for snow plow use. Don't waste your time, use this spring. I changed my springs three times before finally getting it right. They work PERFECT! The ony thing is you have to boost your rear springs to level the truck. I went to a spring shop and added 1 ton boosters and had the springs redone. It cost me $200 plus I threw the guy $20. You can use boosters or hellawigs. You will probubly achieve the same resukt. Good luck and don't forget the "S"!!! :)

[SIPLOWGUY]

PS: I think Mcquay-Norris makes that spring too, but I preferred the TRW's. Just my 2 cents! :burnout

[IHI]

Thanks for the pics and part numbers. Now if I remember to, I'll get some "before" and "after" shots in case anybody else wants to know what to expect...although I have a feeling F-150 "plow" trucks are not the worlds most popular choice;) :D

[SIPLOWGUY]

My F150 suits me fine!

[wyldman]

You can also cross reference the springs over to a Rockwell number.I find the pricing is much better on the Rockwell stuff,and it's still a top notch product.

[IHI]

I've got a buddy that runs the local Mutal Wheel store, I'll probably fax over the part numbers from here and see what he can come up with. Once I know, I'll post back for all to see and ya'll can give me a heads up if it's a fair price or not. He treats me really good on trailer parts since they stock them, but alot of times the items they dont stock in any of the stores there's little room to fudge.