Leaf Spring Questions

[grs44310]

1. How many leaves are in a stock leaf pack?
2. Is there a difference front to back with the leaf pack?
3. Should urethane bushings for the spring ends press in or fit easily with my hand?

I bought a 3.5" lift kit from JBG and got the add a leaf for the rear and urethane bushings. The problem is that I'm not sure that I have a stock set of leaf springs. I remember the PO telling me that he used a set of springs off a F150 pickup. I installed the add a leaf in one pack and knocked out the stock rubber bushings. When I went to install the urethane ones they didn't seem to fit right.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Greg

 

[73stallion]

stock is 4 leafs with a 1/2" overload leaf.

there is a diference which way they go in. the center pin should be farther from the back than the front.

when i put urethane bushings in mine, they were a little tight going in. use a bit of white grease, they'll go in a little easier.

good luck!

 

[grs44310]

73,
My spring packs have 6 including the overload, so I guess I'm not dealing with an OE set of springs here.

Did you have to use a press to get your urethane bushings to fit? No matter how much grease I put on these they aren't going in without some serious force.

I think I might be better off finding an OE set of springs as a baseline and install the add a leaf and bushings. Does anyone near Akron, OH have a pair of good OE springs they are interested in parting with?

Thanks,
Greg

 

[broncnaz]

1. 5 or 6 leafs base models would have the 5 leaf while most sports and all rangers will have 6 leafs due to the HD suspension required whith the rear seat option.
2. Not sure
3. poly bushings usually slide in without too much hassle

 

[73stallion]

no, i didn't have to use a press. you should be able to put them in by hand, but the sleeves might have to be tapped in. like i said, religious grease!

 

[grs44310]

Well something is deffinetly "different" about my leaf springs because the urethane bushings won't go in period.

 

[Landshark]

73,
My spring packs have 6 including the overload, so I guess I'm not dealing with an OE set of springs here.

Did you have to use a press to get your urethane bushings to fit? No matter how much grease I put on these they aren't going in without some serious force.

I think I might be better off finding an OE set of springs as a baseline and install the add a leaf and bushings. Does anyone near Akron, OH have a pair of good OE springs they are interested in parting with?

Thanks,
Greg

On you bushings, it sounds like the original metal sleeve is
still in place.

 

[Broncobowsher]

1: small bearing low GVW rating is 5 leaf. Big bearing high GVW is 6 leaf
2: yes there is a difference. If you have newer springs with the double wrap, that goes to the front. Not completely sure about stock springs.
I just had a friend who had custom springs made. The did some internial tricks like adding some preload to the front of the packs to try and caontrol axle wrap. So I expect the stockers to have some of the same tricks in them.

 

[grs44310]

I have removed the outer metal sleeve and they just don't fit. I'm 99% sure that these aren't Bronco application springs. I'm going to call the PO today and see if I can't figure out what they are from.

 

[grs44310]

Well I was able to snag a true "Bronco" set of leaf springs off Ebay for $10 ($60 shipping OUCH). I figured that was the easiest way to solve my problems. Thanks for all your help guys.

Greg