Old truck and broken springs, new truck, betterer springs...

[pcoplin]

I had my lance Lite 915 on a 2001 F250. It had add-a-leaf springs in the rear and a front leveling kit. I added an upper overload, rear sway bar, upper and lower Stable loads, and took an inch out of the front leveling kit. Ran it for a year like that. Handled great, especially after the sway bar.







I bought a new truck, a 2005 F350 Crew Cab. Went on one last camping trip to the Deschutes in March. I went to transfer over the rear Stableloads, and found this:





I got the old truck all cleaned up, broken AALs removed, camper tie downs, Stableloads, and Superhitch moved over to the new truck. The Crew Cab suits the extended cabover better. Also, the F350 springs are rated higher than the F250 springs, and with the Stabeloads hooked up it only sagged 1.5 inches.

[pcoplin]

jefe 4x4 wrote:
Coplin,
The add-a-leaf is what broke. I have similar only they haven't broken.......yet.
jefe

Yeah, the whole load was placed on one half of the add-a-leaf, because the back of the spring was lifted too high. I think a setup more like yours would have much more longevity. I like you setup. Do you find it too stiff, though? My new F350 springs ride fantastic with upper and lower Stableoads only.

DOITHARD wrote:

Nice set up! I like the light bar on your older, what brand?

Thanks! I had a friend fab it up for me. He does the LED light bar mounts for Powerstrokes.

http://www.kdfabworks.com/

[pcoplin]

Bedlam wrote:
Axle rating is based on the wheels offered with that model truck. The F250 came with 17" wheels and tires rated over 3000 lbs and the F350 came 18" wheels and tires over 3500 lbs. It's the same axle for the F250 and SRW F350 - It does not change until you go to the DRW F350. The difference in codes on your 2001 springs probably spec'ed it as with or without upper overload since you added your upper later.

What you are saying is true for your truck (and my new 2005). However, my old truck was a 2001, and your info is wrong. They come with 16s, and F250s and F350s were specced with different rating main packs. Different axle codes, different part numbers.

[DOITHARD]

pcoplin wrote:
I had my lance Lite 915 on a 2001 F250. It had add-a-leaf springs in the rear and a front leveling kit. I added an upper overload, rear sway bar, upper and lower Stable loads, and took an inch out of the front leveling kit. Ran it for a year like that. Handled great, especially after the sway bar.




Nice set up! I like the light bar on your older, what brand?



I bought a new truck, a 2005 F350 Crew Cab. Went on one last camping trip to the Deschutes in March. I went to transfer over the rear Stableloads, and found this:





I got the old truck all cleaned up, broken AALs removed, camper tie downs, Stableloads, and Superhitch moved over to the new truck. The Crew Cab suits the extended cabover better. Also, the F350 springs are rated higher than the F250 springs, and with the Stabeloads hooked up it only sagged 1.5 inches.

[jefe_4x4]

Coplin,
The add-a-leaf is what broke. I have similar only they haven't broken.......yet.

These slightly thicker and way bent leaves are taking most of the load, are stiff, and don't have a reputation for longevity. I think mine has survived because of the 3 upper secondaries (overloads) which take a lot of the load when there is a load. But I got the most bang for the buck with 8 leaves on each side plus Stable Loads. The lower, actual overload spring will never get bottomed out with all those leaves above. I was thinking of just cutting most of it off and use it for the current usage which is as a spacer. The TC handles and rides well when loaded up. Unloaded...not so good. Now-o-days the TC is mostly on the T.
Beautiful new truck and camper matchup.
jefe

[Bedlam]

Axle rating is based on the wheels offered with that model truck. The F250 came with 17" wheels and tires rated over 3000 lbs and the F350 came 18" wheels and tires over 3500 lbs. It's the same axle for the F250 and SRW F350 - It does not change until you go to the DRW F350. The difference in codes on your 2001 springs probably spec'ed it as with or without upper overload since you added your upper later.

Here is my 2005 F250 with OEM camper package giving me rear upper overloads and stabilizer bar. I also used the upper and lower StableLoads which allowed me to haul 4000 lbs of camper without excessive droop.

[pcoplin]

Bedlam wrote:
pcoplin:

The F250 and F350 springs are the same other than the upper overload. What you see is the upgrades Ford did in 2005 verses your previous generation truck. The chassis and springs are actually stronger, the front end went to coil allowing tighter turning and the brakes are larger.

That's not fully correct. My 2001 F250 had A Code rear springs, F350s of the same year had B code springs. A codes were rated around 6k, B codes were 6800 or so.

This 2005 F350 has a rear spring code of CC, not sure what that is. I do know Ford rates the rear axle higher at 7k lbs total.

[Bedlam]

pcoplin:

The F250 and F350 springs are the same other than the upper overload. What you see is the upgrades Ford did in 2005 verses your previous generation truck. The chassis and springs are actually stronger, the front end went to coil allowing tighter turning and the brakes are larger.

[zcookiemonstar]

When I had some spring work done last year the guy at the spring show said you would be surprised how many people are driving around with broken springs and don't even know it. He said a lot of the time they crack at the center pin and you can't even see it until you take the spring pack apart.

[Vinsil]

pcoplin wrote:

Vinsil wrote:
Nice upgrade. 🙂


Specs on the 6.0? Still love those!!!!


I like the crew cab look too.

Thanks. 🙂 I was looking for a Dually Lariat 05-07 6.0/5R110, but only found two duallys, neither worked for me.

Got his one locally. It;'s in great shape. 2005 F350 XLT, 6.0/5R110. Engine stock, oil cooler slightly clogged though. I backflushed it a couple times and got it under spec, but I'm going to have to replace it. I'll do the EGR delete at the same time.

Heading out tomorrow for some camping! I'll call you for a tow if I blow head gaskets. Haha!

got my trailer, you have my number. lol I like the dually's too but it'll work. 😉


Are going to tune it as well? Don't have to go crazy..but it wakes it up and better mileage...you know this. Co worker bought one new...keep an eye on the FICM voltage as well...he lost two in 50k...left him stranded.

Local place down here specilizes in bullet proofing those, I believe they charge $1800, its been a while since I talked to them but that is new motorcraft cooler, egr delete, headgaskets and studs. I know you turn your own wrenches but they blow the cab off and do it in a day...

[pcoplin]

I'm not surprised it broke, the Stableload was only in contact with one half of the leaf. I'm not looking for any compensation, I'm pretty sure the AAL leaf was being used outside it's purpose.

I removed both leafs when I sold the truck anyhow. It rode was better empty, and if he ever installs lower Stableloads, they'll be in proper contact with the main leaf pack.

[gbopp]

Your new one is a nice looking rig. :C

[dave17352]

Torklift keeps a close eye on this forum. Wouldn't be surprised if they comment. All though springs break with or without Torklift's now and then. Interesting subject though.

[Kayteg1]

I would send the picture to Stableload and ask them about opinion.

[pcoplin]

No, the broken leaf happened after many miles with the camper on. The problem was is that the Add-a-leaf arched up the stock pack so that the rear Stableload was never in contact with the AAL, and made it flex too much it seems. It broke where there was a second hole for a centering pin. I'm unsure with the brand.

Moral is: no AAL with lower Stableloads.