Power Strokes 1994-1997 Upgrades and AftermarketUpgrading or adding OEM or aftermarket equipment to your 1994-1997 Ford F-Series with Power Stroke engine.
I installed Superlift front add-a-leaf springs in my 97 F250 with the dana 50 TTB front axle. My goal was improved front suspension compliance with out installing a D60 front axle.
Front Fender Height before
Front fender height after
Bump Stop Before
Bump Stop After
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97 F250 HD, 4x4, Ext Cab, Long Bed, 150,000 miles, 4.10 gears, Banks big hoss chip, intercooler, exhaust brake, down pipe, tymar, rebuilt trans, purple t/c, firestone air bags /w compressor, boost and pyro gauges.
I have not aligned the front end yet due to time constraints. I will check toe-in using a tape measure in the drive way method. The additional height caused the steering wheel to turn counterclockwise 1/8 of a turn.
Visually the biggest difference is the front tires. They went from negative camber to positive camber. I do not know what the camber setting is supposed to be or do I know what the stock front height of the truck is supposed to be either.
I drove up to the lakes this weekend and I feel i have achieved my goals of better ride quality. The truck no longer pogo's up and down over bumps and the harshness from bottoming is gone.
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97 F250 HD, 4x4, Ext Cab, Long Bed, 150,000 miles, 4.10 gears, Banks big hoss chip, intercooler, exhaust brake, down pipe, tymar, rebuilt trans, purple t/c, firestone air bags /w compressor, boost and pyro gauges.
thanks for the pics and info fastback I ordered some front add a leafs will be here monday and all new front end poly bushings all going in on wednesday with an alignment hopefully i get the same results.
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2005 KR CC SB Auto 6.0L - 4in straight to the back no muff or kitty, Upfitter High Idle mod, Blue Spring
1996 F250 Crew Cab LBox 5sp "Sold"
1967 Ford Fairlane 2Dr Post factory radio delete non ac, manual brakes, manual steering car. 80% restored working on interior Body and Paint done- 390FE stock oil eater, C6, Starshifter, Micky T Indy Style 60 Series on back. Originaly Black repainted black
1972 Ford Gran Torino Fastback 351 Cobra Sold
1979 F350 Custom Crew Cab Short Box replaced Torino for project vehicle..
I was surprised my factory bushings were in pretty good shape, after inspection I will be leaving them in for now. I figured I would need shocks too, but after inspection I decided to leave them alone as well.
Post up your impressions on the poly bushings, after reading pros and cons I am on the fence whether to install poly or factory bushings when the time comes.
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97 F250 HD, 4x4, Ext Cab, Long Bed, 150,000 miles, 4.10 gears, Banks big hoss chip, intercooler, exhaust brake, down pipe, tymar, rebuilt trans, purple t/c, firestone air bags /w compressor, boost and pyro gauges.
Is your add-a-leaf a full length or a less than full length leaf? I installed a short add-a-leaf, think it was a Tough Country, on my 95 and I was happy with it. My 97 had a full length leaf and the ride was very rough. I changed to a new after market set of springs and air bags. I air the bags until the front is the same height as when it had the add-a-leaf. Ride is much better. Takes a hard bump to bottom out. Have considered reducing the stop height to give a little more travel but that would make the stop harder.
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2010 Ram 3500 Cummins, AT, 4x4, CC, LB, Line-X, B&W Turn Over Ball, RBW Lil Rocker modified to fit B&W, Milemarker hyd. winch. Elkhorn 9VS slide-in, Nomad 24 ft. fifth/w slide, Century topper, old classic Sooner 18' 4 horse stock trailer. StarFlyte by DynaMax 6.8 V10.
Formerly: 97 F-250 SC LB PSD. 4x4, With lots of Goodies. Twas a good truck. If you don't care where you are, you ain't lost.
Larry
my add a leafs will be a set of tough countrys off ebay not full length since there was a longer option for 32 bucks more im guessing. and ill let you know via PM or something 66 give me a week or so to get the feel for them im having all the work done at local shop since i dont have space in my shop to do it at home. damn dodges have a 2000 v10 getting a new transmission/clutch and a 89 or 90 cummins getting new clutch/4x4 shift linkage/front driveshaft damn cardan junk/new rear DS u-joints so my shops little full ;>
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2005 KR CC SB Auto 6.0L - 4in straight to the back no muff or kitty, Upfitter High Idle mod, Blue Spring
1996 F250 Crew Cab LBox 5sp "Sold"
1967 Ford Fairlane 2Dr Post factory radio delete non ac, manual brakes, manual steering car. 80% restored working on interior Body and Paint done- 390FE stock oil eater, C6, Starshifter, Micky T Indy Style 60 Series on back. Originaly Black repainted black
1972 Ford Gran Torino Fastback 351 Cobra Sold
1979 F350 Custom Crew Cab Short Box replaced Torino for project vehicle..
Larry, are you saying you air up the rear air bags to match the height of the front?
I drove 180 miles this weekend and the truck rides a lot better. The front end did not bottom out once, it feels firm but has no harshness in the suspension. The best way for me to describe it is, drinking coffee is not as big of an ordeal as it was previously.
The truck tracks straight, I can take my hands off the steering wheel, but I am concerned with the positive camber the front tires now are exhibiting.
I am debating the front end alignment, whether to have it aligned or not and where to take it. I am considering taking it to the local Ford dealer. Any advice is certainly welcome.
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97 F250 HD, 4x4, Ext Cab, Long Bed, 150,000 miles, 4.10 gears, Banks big hoss chip, intercooler, exhaust brake, down pipe, tymar, rebuilt trans, purple t/c, firestone air bags /w compressor, boost and pyro gauges.
Last edited by 66Fastback; 03-14-2010 at 07:57 PM.
ied take it to a diesel semi alignment shop ;> but thats me and i take it where my paps takes his semi... but they have new sleeves they can put in the top ball joint area make her sit |--| instead of \--/ ;.> i hate mine /--\ ;x
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2005 KR CC SB Auto 6.0L - 4in straight to the back no muff or kitty, Upfitter High Idle mod, Blue Spring
1996 F250 Crew Cab LBox 5sp "Sold"
1967 Ford Fairlane 2Dr Post factory radio delete non ac, manual brakes, manual steering car. 80% restored working on interior Body and Paint done- 390FE stock oil eater, C6, Starshifter, Micky T Indy Style 60 Series on back. Originaly Black repainted black
1972 Ford Gran Torino Fastback 351 Cobra Sold
1979 F350 Custom Crew Cab Short Box replaced Torino for project vehicle..
66FB.. curious as to what you did about the factor clamp that is riveted to the front of the springs.. pictures would be appreciated, not getting anywhere with RC customer service.. Thanks
__________________ 96 F250 CCSB - superchips, 6637, shimmed FPR, 5" DE exhaust SLAPS member
The add a leafs I installed had new bands riveted to them, which allowed me to remove the factory clamps. I believe you can buy the clamps separately from a spring supplier.
Last night I came across Alcan spring in Colorado. They have an interesting design and I might have to check into them in the future.
If you still would like pictures I will take them tomorrow.
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97 F250 HD, 4x4, Ext Cab, Long Bed, 150,000 miles, 4.10 gears, Banks big hoss chip, intercooler, exhaust brake, down pipe, tymar, rebuilt trans, purple t/c, firestone air bags /w compressor, boost and pyro gauges.
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F250 Crew Cab LBox 5sp "Sold"
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