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[caryt]

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Adding a rear block was a thought... but I really don't want to make the truck any taller. I was looking at it, and I can cut about 4" off of the front spring mount (caster will be fubar, but I can shim it...)

[/ QUOTE ] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] <font color="blue"> Do it right [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img] </font>

<font color="blue"> Well, I finally got sick of the kidney jarring ride of my '96 F350 CC PSD 4X4. I had a '00 F350 over a couple of weeks ago and I laid up under it for 30 minutes or so. The only difference I could see between the two front ends was the reversed shackles. I have driven jeeps with the front shackles and with the shackles reversed and have experienced the improved ride.
I looked into the ORU kit, but did not want the added 2 inches of height and a few people I know that did the ORU conversion did not like the still semi harsh ride.

What I did...I ordered front spring hangers, leaf springs, shackles, and rear spring mounts from Ford for a '00 F350 PSD. Get two of the stamped steel front spring hangers. Stock, one is stamped steel and one is cast iron.

Took off the old stuff from the '96. Cut off the rear spring mounts. Boxed the frame where the shackles mounted on the front. Bolted and welded the new front spring mounts as far forward as possible on the frame. Measured 53.25 inches from the front spring mount (center of hole) back to the frame. This becomes center of hole for the rear spring mount (as measured off a '00 F350). Cut a hole in the frame a little bigger than the rear spring mount (at first we thought we were going to have to build some offset into the rear mount, but the rear mounts already have offset built into them and they bolted into the hole fine). Mounted the rear spring mounts, bolted up the springs and shackles with all new hardware (BTW, the bolts for the new springs are twice the size of the bolts for the old springs). Mounted the springs to the axle using the existing plates and u-bolts.

Then went for a ride. WOW!! what a difference! This mod alone made me decide to keep this truck instead of getting a new one. I'm going to dual it instead and keep it.

This mod did move the axle back about 1 inch. Ironic because I had spaced my bumper out one inch to compensate for bigger tires. It also lowered the truck about 1-1.25 inches in the front, which was perfect to match the velvet ride shackles in the rear.

Cost: 2 front spring mounts: BRKT F4541, $46@
2 '00 front shackles, SHKL-960, $10@
1 set '00 front springs, SPG AS 13310, $135@
2 rear spring mounts, $35 @

Total parts: $475 (with bolts and stuff)
Total labor: 14 hours
Total increased ride comfort: priceless!

Yup, it costs more than the ORU kit, but I lowered the ride height and got much nicer riding springs.

Big thanks to my buddy Charlie for doing all the work. He said if he were to do it for someone, probably about $1k with parts and labor.

HTH,
Shannon

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Shannon
'68 Bronco "LOCKMUP"
'96 F350 Crew Cab PowerStroke


[This message has been edited by Shannon (edited 07-15-2000).]
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Cary