Forum Discussion

landlordy's avatar
landlordy
Explorer
Nov 13, 2017

Axel Weight/ suspension question

I have a 97 20' born free on a ford e-350 dually and I would like the rear end to sit a little higher. The spring pack on it looks a bit tired, saggy and rusted so that is where i was planning to start. I was chatting with a member on another thread who told me to get my rig weighed which I have now done. My rear axel has a max weight of 7500 pounds and weighed in at 6000 which is good, but the largest capacity spring set I can find is a 10 leaf pack w a capacity of 5000. The current spring pack on it has 8 springs. My gut tells me this 5000 pound heavy duty set will be good enough. Do I need to make sure the springs are speced exactly for the weight of my rig? Any help is appreciated
  • DrewE's avatar
    DrewE
    Explorer II
    Nov 14, 2017
    Do be aware that the rear springs on the E series for this year are basically flat by design. If they're reverse bent ("frowny") that would tend to indicate wear or overloading or sagging for whatever reason. Measuring the ride height is, of course, also a reasonable check. But assuming they ought to be a typical semi-elliptical shape will lead one astray.
  • BFL13's avatar
    BFL13
    Explorer II
    Nov 14, 2017
    landlordy wrote:
    thanks so much guys I have it at a shop now to see what he thinks also. Apparently the ford e350 springs come stock flat at 3750 per side and it is normal for them to "frown" a bit. So im not sure i need em. Maybe add a leaf or a super spring or even some air bags is the better call. Still not sure, anyone know the average life span of a leaf?


    IMO question the spring shop guy some more. Perhaps all E350s are not the same?

    The spring links seem to say that E350 duallies are the same from the 80s to 1997. The OP's is a 97 mine is a 91. The RGAWR on mine is 7672 lbs and half that is 3836. So stock springs for mine can't be 3750 lbs.

    I don't know how many leafs mine has or whether they are flat.

    My door weight ratings are for the "incomplete truck" Ford supplies to MH, ambulance, etc makers.
  • RLS7201's avatar
    RLS7201
    Explorer II
    Nov 14, 2017
    landlordy wrote:
    anyone know the average life span of a leaf?


    Any one beside me thinking "about 6 months" groooooooon.

    Richard
  • landlordy's avatar
    landlordy
    Explorer
    Nov 14, 2017
    thanks so much guys I have it at a shop now to see what he thinks also. Apparently the ford e350 springs come stock flat at 3750 per side and it is normal for them to "frown" a bit. So im not sure i need em. Maybe add a leaf or a super spring or even some air bags is the better call. Still not sure, anyone know the average life span of a leaf?
  • Ski_Pro_3's avatar
    Ski_Pro_3
    Explorer
    Nov 13, 2017
    Hellwig makes leaf pack add-ons. Maybe they have something that will fit your truck.
    As the big U bolts tighten, they will pull up the sagging springs plus add extra carry capacity. Just tighten 'em up until you achieve the ride height or load capacity you are looking for.

  • CJW8's avatar
    CJW8
    Explorer
    Nov 13, 2017
    A good spring shop can re-spring your old tired springs.
  • azrving's avatar
    azrving
    Explorer
    Nov 13, 2017
    Some truck or spring shops will make anything needed in house. The can get the exact height that you want. I dont know if you intend to diy but it's usually ugly work.
  • Huntindog's avatar
    Huntindog
    Explorer
    Nov 13, 2017
    landlordy wrote:
    I have a 97 20' born free on a ford e-350 dually and I would like the rear end to sit a little higher. The spring pack on it looks a bit tired, saggy and rusted so that is where i was planning to start. I was chatting with a member on another thread who told me to get my rig weighed which I have now done. My rear axel has a max weight of 7500 pounds and weighed in at 6000 which is good, but the largest capacity spring set I can find is a 10 leaf pack w a capacity of 5000. The current spring pack on it has 8 springs. My gut tells me this 5000 pound heavy duty set will be good enough. Do I need to make sure the springs are speced exactly for the weight of my rig? Any help is appreciated
    Springs are usually speced individually.
    So your 10 pack of leafs would be good for 5000 X 2= 10000#.
    And they do not need to be matched perfectly.

    If you are concerned, it is not too hare to remove one leaf from the 10 pack. That should be very close to a perfect match.

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