Author Topic: Any know if large ford truck rear leafs are close to 65 F100 rear leafs ??  (Read 4239 times)

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RustyCrankshaft

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Re: Any know if large ford truck rear leafs are close to 65 F100 rear leafs ??
« Reply #15 on: November 14, 2018, 04:19:08 AM »
Another option that seems to be a good compromise between performance and looks are CalTracs, or if you don't have over-loads (or do have them and are willing to do some extra fab work) I've built a shortie traction bar that bolts to the top of the spring pack with a new upper ubolt and lower u bolt plate. They can also be fairly short and not restrict spring travel if you built the frame end with a shackle. The axle still can't rotate because it's held at 2 points, but the shackle at the frame end allows the bar to "grow" and the leaf compresses. This has the benefit of not having to adjust for track vs street like a CalTrac.

Clamping the rear leafs also really helps. And if you put sliders in doesn't seem to bother the ride any either.

My427stang

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Re: Any know if large ford truck rear leafs are close to 65 F100 rear leafs ??
« Reply #16 on: November 14, 2018, 08:31:19 AM »
Not so much with my truck.  The rear part of the pack would try to come apart(like a Mopar SS spring pack).  Thus clamping them together kept the rear end from rotating and hopping.


Mine does the same
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Ross
Bullock's Power Service, LLC
- 70 Fastback Mustang, 489 cid FE, Victor, SEFI, Erson SFT cam, TKO-600 5 speed, 4.11 9 inch.
- 71 F100 shortbed 4x4, 461 cid FE, headers, Victor Pro-flo EFI, Comp Custom HFT cam, 3.50 9 inch

BattlestarGalactic

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Re: Any know if large ford truck rear leafs are close to 65 F100 rear leafs ??
« Reply #17 on: November 14, 2018, 11:48:54 AM »
I've thought of Caltracs also, but with as flimsy as the stock, old springs on my truck I think Caltracs would not help much.  They need something solid to push on at the front of the leaf.  If the spring just flexes, it would just bend the leaf.  I think I've seen pictures of that issue before, thus I never went that route.

Larry

RustyCrankshaft

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Re: Any know if large ford truck rear leafs are close to 65 F100 rear leafs ??
« Reply #18 on: November 15, 2018, 03:37:51 AM »
The CalTracs will help, but you're right the weak spring swill still bend where the CalTracs push on them so they just won't help as much as they should. With a healthy stock replacement spring they do seem to work pretty well. I've run them on a lot of leaf sprung cars, especially if they saw any track time at all. I like the "backwards" traction bar ontop of the spring or the eye to eye thick leaf with clamps the best for a truck.

Like most of this stuff, there is more than 1 way to end up with a good solution and it's nice to have options!