2001 ford f350 front leaf springs

Usually a straight forward job. But with a plow harness, it's a bit of a pain

[@jimmieflood4649]

Jesus man...you did about 10x more work than was needed.

[@fitzsfixes]

Really? What should I have done differently?

[@dylanlaton7809]

@@fitzsfixes you should have just removed the springs. You were basically pulling the frame apart. Nice though, not an easy job👌

[@fitzsfixes]

@@dylanlaton7809 had to. Plow harness was in the way

[@franklinhatchet6077]

@@dylanlaton7809 Any insight on this? I'm about to start the same job on my 250 and the coolant system is in the way of the front bolt so I'll pretty much have to do the same thing and remove the front shackle. Am I missing something?

[@fitzsfixes]

Nope, you're not missing anything. The stupid spring bolt won't come out with the plow harness in the way. Gotta remove either the shackle or the plow harness. I chose what I thought would be easier

[@billramsey8695]

I LOVE THOSE FORD TRUCK !!! I have 2 of them, Diesel 7.3 AWESOME trucks . Thanks for the video.

[@cbjornnes]

Exactly what I needed! Thanks for such a detailed video. I plow in CO and I'm dealing w/ the same issue, blown leaves in the front.

[@jamestingay11]

I have watched this video many times. I have this exact project planned for this weekend. I ordered all new hardware so I can cut anything that gives me trouble. Thank you for the great video.

[@teichholtz]

Good day. I had a broken spring on the passenger side of my 99 F350. As anyone who owns a plow truck will tell you, nothing is ever easy. I have no patience and knew that trying to remove the shackle mount in the front would be an exercise in futility. I installed the plow mounts 9 years ago and it proved not too difficult to remove them. They were extremely rusty and scaly. I brought them to a sand blasting facility to get them cleaned up. The front spring bolt was not moving for love nor money, I used my 7 inch grinder to cut each end of it. And then I hit my nightmare. The frame under the passenger door had a big soft spot and I did not trust it to sit on a jackstand. Well, to sit and then not collapse and kill me. I made sister ribs out of 1/4 steel plate and used a piece of steel channel bolted to the sister rib to strengthen the frame. Bolted together with grade 8 7/16 bolts. Worked like a charm, sits on the stand with nary a creak. Then put my jack under the axle, pulled the rear bolt and used a cutting wheel to cut the Ubolts. Spring dropped out. Any sane individual would have given up on this truck a while back. :-)

[@teichholtz]

I purchased the new spring and the ubolts and a new front bolt. I hit a few snags installing the new spring. I loosened up the bolt holding the rear hanger. This allows one to easily swing it into position when the height is correct. I got the front bolt in, then the rear bolt. I thought aligning the post into the mount on the axle would be simple, but it is not. I could see that even if I pushed the axle forward the post was still about a half inch toward the outboard side of the mount. Aggg. So I did the following: 1. Started over, pulled the front and rear bolts. 2. I went for the harder part to align, the post. Position the spring on the mount while the spring is not bolted in. 3. Install the ubolts. I finger tightened them 4. Jacked up the axle until the front bolt hole was at the correct height of the front bolt holes. 5. Used my $20 Harbor Freight comealong and some rope anchored to a tree to pull the axle forward the 2 inches I needed. Worked like a charm. Got the front bolt in. 6. By adjusting the height of the axle I was able to get the rear bolt in. 7. Ta Da!! I put the wheel back on and was amazed at the height of the truck front end. I now have to do the drivers side since there is a two inch disparity. And hey, who doesn't enjoy pouring dollars into an older rusty truck, right?

[@fegolem]

I am SO glad I don't have to deal with the rust that folks up north deal with. Geez!

[@fitzsfixes]

yes it definitely makes life interesting.....

[@riphaven]

it's not rust, it's just my truck trying to revert back to its natural state. but yeah i have a f250 and anytime i go under i have to wear eye protection just to change the oil filter.

[@bones9720]

yea holy shit haha i live in Louisiana and i thought that my truck was bad but it looks new next to that haha and love the video btw! ;)

[@teichholtz]

I seem to have more problems with rust than other people, I can install a new brake caliper, drive around the block, and it will look like it has been on the truck since 1942. Or at least it feels that way..

[@SakimasRidgeHomestead]

Just put the three leaf replacements on my '99 F250 over the weekend. Your video came in as handy reference. I did not remove the rear shackles when I did mine, not sure if that made it easier or harder. I also just removed the bolt from the front. My plow undercarriage mount was brand new so I felt it was easier to remove it than mess with the spring hanger bolts. The heat and PB Blaster trick seems to work well. Drivers side seemed more difficult than the passenger side for me, not sure if removing the sway bar would have made it any easier. Seven leaf replacements for the rear are next, not looking forward to the job, but there is a broken leaf on the right side so not much choice. Thanks again.

[@strokinbaby965]

Sakima's Ridge Homestead how much higher did brand new leafs and the extra leaf raise the truck?

[@SakimasRidgeHomestead]

Not positive, but at least a couple inches. I'm putting new springs all around on my 2000 F350 soon and will do a better job noting the height change, as well as uploading a video.

[@scottbrittingham3901]

That's my life every winter here in PA. Wrenching on Broken, rusty, seized plow trucks and H.D. salt spreaders. Every year I say is my last....but...I find myself covered in PB Blaster and hydraulic fluid once again.

[@xV10EXCURSIONx]

I like these videos especially these repair vids on plow trucks nice job!

[@geraldhawkins2643]

Awesome video I've gotta tackle this job also mine are sagging really bad thank you very much sir!!

[@squeaky61]

Thanks for the vid. I love how you show reality! If I wasn't trying to do it myself, I wouldn't have to watch these videos. That being said, being a DIYer, I don't have every special tool, or the best shop environment. If you can do it in the driveway so can I. Thanks for the motivation! I think the swearing, helps more than anything too! ha

[@bradf9168]

Very nice job , I would and I speak from experience always revisit the U bolts in about a week for a re tighten as you'll find after the springs have seated you can snug them up tighter ...............Nice tackle on an a ugly job !

[@sirkingdra]

Would it be possible to leave the shackles in (without having to remove them) and just take both the eye bolts out of each end of the leaf spring and then remove the U Bolts and pop the spring out that way? Without having to undo all the shackle bolts & removing the shackles? It would more than likely involve using a big hammer and or a long pry bar to pop the old leafs out of the shackles as well as to install the new leafs into the shackles etc, but would that be possible to do it that way? Just curious.

[@zertway2]

I see that this comment was made 1 yr. ago, but I'll reply anyway. There is no problem in leaving the rear shackles in place and removing the mounting bolts... on my 2000 F350. The front bolt removal is a lot more difficult. The Ford company had the Front mounting bolts, put in from the inside of the chase. They are so long, that they would run into the Transmission cooling system/radiator. I've decided to purchase 2 New mounting bolts, for the Front, remove the front mounting bolt Nuts and then drive the bolt out as far as I can and then cut the extending section off. Then drive it out the rest of the way. I think that I will have to cut the bolts twice to completely remove them, but it will be FAR easier than going to all of the trouble of removing the Shackles!!!

[@SteveRobReviews]

Good job buddy , ha it never goes easy does it.

[@Itisteej]

Thankyou, great video. I took off my bumper, made it soo much easier, only 6 bolts. Just pull spring right out the front. I had a hell of a time to get mine all lined back up, but worked great. Did you have to do an alignment at all?

[@buckshot5123]

Awesome video man. I'm doing the same thing Replacing the stock 2 leaf (1 broke) with a 3 leaf on my 03 f350 drw. Is there anything else I need to replace because I can't seem to get the axle to go where I need it which I about an inch max to the passenger side. I've tried lifting everything together, to bolting the leaf springs on 1st then lifting the axle to the leaf springs. Nothings seems to work or I'm just holding my mouth wrong. Hope this finds you well. Thanks for any help. Never mind, I got it. Straps worked better than Jack's.

[@lamarrstar2175]

Great job

[@phantomwalker8251]

i use ratchet straps to pull diff in place,with a crow bar sideways.

[@westside98]

My 350 dually leans a little bit to the left in the rear great video might be doing the same thing

[@fitzsfixes]

The rear was a breeze. I made a video a few years ago on it. The front was difficult because my plow frame was in the way of the front bolt. I had to remove the entire hanger.

[@patrickwhelan5703]

Fitz, I have 43-818 up front and see that you are installing 43-818HD. Was it a good move for you? Is your truck Diesel or gas? I have a 2002 F-250 v-8 4X4 XLT and was looking for a bit more lift. How much higher did it make the truck? Did you change rear leaves at the same time?

[@redgreenblue998]

Revisiting a comment another person wrote... Would you have left the shackles on the truck if you didn't have the plow harness? Also are you using the frame rail behind the axle for jack points? Great video Brother!

[@P4INCOMM4NDO]

On the front you dont have to take the shackle off unless you have a plow hitch. On the 7.3 you have to remove one of the intercooler supports on the front.

[@fitzsfixes]

Sorry for the late response. I didn't get the comment till now..... Yes, I would've left the shackles in for sure. It's a pita to take them out. I think I used a jack stand under the frame. And the I used a jack to move the axle where I needed it. Thanks for watching.

[@wickedstang2003]

I have an 01 7.3 and going to replace my front leafs... I don't have a plow set up, do I really need to remove the shackles to take the leaf out? Great video by the way!

[@fitzsfixes]

No, yours will be a lot easier. You just need to remove the bolt from the loop on the leafspring

[@anthonymaffie8247]

if im just replacing with stock front springs do i need to replace the shackels or can i just unbolt from the bushings?

[@adambaier9313]

[⁸9⁹

[@FatBoy7.3Powerstroke]

Hey Bud, I have an 02' F350 SD 4x4 DRW, and a 3" block lift kit for the front and rear. Put on a new set of 315/60/R20 (basically 35x12.50, 34.9x12.8 actual size) and the damn thing is rubbing up front. I seen the springs are sagging a bit so I've looked at a few sets of leaf springs now, but I like that you went with the Heavy Duty springs so I'm definitely taking those into consideration now. Pro Comp has great deals on Ebay for sets with variances in height, and those will probably work to fix the rubbing issue, but I plan on keeping this truck till the end, so I want it done right. It's what I use to pull my 5th wheel Toy Hauler so it's pretty much my dedicated tool for that purpose. Do the Heavy Duty Springs add any height above the stock springs? I'm thinking anything above sagging would add height, Just don't wanna end up with 7 or 8 inches of lift or that Way Too High look in the front end

[@JimmyTheProstitute]

Yes they will add height they pretty much bring it to level

[@supernovaa313]

Great video 👍🏽👌🏾

[@jwbii9833]

Thanks for the video.

[@justinlyons9966]

I dont understand why he cut the bolt for the hanger when he had the leaf loss from hanger already waste of time and the money to buy new bolt

[@phantomwalker8251]

here in aus,my 2001 s/d,still looks liek new under neath,with paint,#s,paper id,s./

[@adamrocklin9942]

Hey brother, thanks for this video. Where do you get the heavier springs g go or the 2001

[@fitzsfixes]

A local spring shop. "Falls Auto Spring"

[@ShitFixer]

May i ask why didn’t you just take the leaf out? Why did you take the bracket aswell?

[@fitzsfixes]

The plow harness is blocking the bolt for the spring. I had to either remove the plow harness to get to it, or take off the shackle. I chose the easier route

[@samuelyi9189]

Hey. Any idea where I can find that bushing that's on the frame? It's where you had to grind down a little bit of the body mount bolt. Trying to do 4x4 conversion.

[@rowdyinxs7546]

Thanks for the video. Do you have a link for the heavy duty front leaf springs?

[@fitzsfixes]

My local spring shop made them for me.

[@danis0benz]

What springs did you use to replace the old ones. I have the same issue, and I want to upgrade them. My truck is 2000 F350

[@fitzsfixes]

Went to my local spring shop. They built them for me. $500

[@nonagreeable]

Do you have to take the shackles off to replace the leaf springs or can you do it with the shackles still in place?

[@fitzsfixes]

I had to mine off because the plow harness was in the way. But if you don't plow, it's way easier to change out springs

[@zekehernandez4064]

Hey bro I got 5 leaf springs on the front f250 2002 4x4 . What size of shocks do I need ?

[@ronwest7930]

It would suck spending so much on a vehicle and having it rust away.

[@badsanta69]

the barnacle.

[@F250-expedition]

I don’t understand why you are taking out the shackle and not just the spring bolts

[@fitzsfixes]

The plow harness is in the way. There's way more labor in removing it then the shackle.

[@F250-expedition]

@@fitzsfixes sorry i didn’t notice about the plow bracket

[@fitzsfixes]

@@F250-expedition yeah, they're a pain in the ass to remove. Especially with the rust we get here

[@phantomwalker8251]

was that a crack in your chassis,

[@mikemoore2692]

Do you have the part # for the HD leaf springs?

[@tjs_welding_and_fabrication]

Do you have a part number for those springs. I have stock x code springs but they are 2 leaf. Thanks.

[@fitzsfixes]

No sorry. I went to my local spring shop and asked for stock springs. they up sold me on the HD ones.

[@SakimasRidgeHomestead]

Michigan Truck Spring 43-818HD Ford Pickup Replacement Leaf Spring (3 Leaves, Front)

[@JuanPerez-cj9cv]

HELP please , where can I find HD front leaf spring for my 2003 f-350 7.3 please help , 3 or more leafs

[@alanbeatty7410]

Juan Pérez www.sdtrucksprings.com

[@westside98]

Why can't you just leave the shackle in and put the leafs together and bolt the assembly in after

[@fitzsfixes]

Plow harness was in the way. No other way to do it without pulling either the harness (Royal pita) or the shackle.

[@westside98]

+Fitz's Fixes oh I c I C

[@lightnfly]

About how much did those springs run ya?

[@fitzsfixes]

$400 or so. not too bad

[@Doubletap6996]

Leave the damn shackle on take the f****** spring out and be done

[@fitzsfixes]

The damn plow harness was in the way so the f****** shackle had to come out. That was the point of the whole fricking video.

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

"Woulda, coulda ,shoulda" doesnt look good on anyone. There is always a reason to do it the hard way...

[@justinhamlin3829]

hows the ride quality with the heavy duty leafs?

[@fitzsfixes]

I've only driven it a few miles. but it seems to ride the same. it is much higher though

[@jamesclark7630]

It's been a few months now, just curious if you have noticed a rougher ride quality? Folks on forums project the HD springs would ride like a dump truck, but I'm tired of my 7.3 bending springs over backwards and X codes are hard to come by.

[@MrJbryant517]

remove the bumper to access front bolts? thx

[@fitzsfixes]

JBryant517 Bryant plow harness was in the way mostly. removing the bumper probably would have helped a little. but still a PITA!

[@MrJbryant517]

Fitz's Fixes thanks, mine leans and pops. havent decided to do it myself or pay someone else to do it.

[@fitzsfixes]

JBryant517 Bryant well it depends. if you don't have a plow and don't live in the rust belt, the job is cake. but because I have a plow, the shackle bolt is impossible to take out unless you drop the harness

[@BobTheBreaker9]

Obi wan is a ford guy??

[@adriankling4115]

This is what happens if you don’t fluid film your undercarriage

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

Wouldnt matter...NOTHING can withstand road salt in much of the USA. Fluid film looks good for a few years though.