HOW TO SOFTEN UP THE ROUGH RIDE ON YOUR NEWLY LIFTED TRUCK CUT THE LEAF SPRINGS!

Do not try this at home unless you're a professional Shortening the lower leafs to soften the spring rate fixing the too stiff suspension after a lift kit installation. Mimicking a mini leaf front lift kit by cutting. Yes this is a tad experimental, the effect should be a slightly lower ride height in the front and additional suspension travel.
UPDATE* This worked extremely well. In the video I mention losing 1/2" ride height? I think it was more like a 1/4 " After driving this now for a couple weeks it is such a big difference and I could not be happier with the way it worked out
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Excursion Superduty F250 F350

[@swissarmychainsawadams9541]

Separate springs from axle, remove the center bolt that holds the leaves in place. Remove the short Springs as desired. Replace with a 1 inch lift block from Summit racing. No need to cut your springs.

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

But you see the cut leaves ARE the lift blocks and no disassembly required.

[@Jay-fq8uz]

🤣🤣🤣 dude that pot hole war cry had me dying

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

Best way to explain it!

[@overzealousmaverik]

It was quantitative enough for me to understand lol

[@coyotedes6886]

Cut through all the leafs for max ride quality, am I doing it right?

[@coyotedes6886]

Just messing around, gunna give it a shot on my yj

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

bahah "instructions unclear... axle is now directly on frame and flopping around in 4wd!"

[@RedShreds]

im thinking about doing this to my yj. how’d it go for yours?

[@anthonypazoz4323]

@@buildsomethingstupid1736 do you lose some payload capability when you do this?

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

@@anthonypazoz4323 yes, but I'm losing payload over the massively increased payload of having 8 leafs(superlift spring) instead of 2 leafs(stock). More payload=less travel=hard ride. Lift spring rates are often higher than stock because less wheel travel means bigger tire size can be fitted. If you arent sure I would find out your stock spring rate, then contact the manufacturer of the lift and get their spring rate.... if they say "equal to factory" ask for the actual number because you are likely talking to a random person that has no idea. An example springrate i happen to know off the top of my head is Excursion rear springs are 375lbs/inch.

[@craigcurtis2961]

For others trying this, be sure to wedge a gap with a screwdriver between the top of the leaf you're cutting and the rest of the spring, then put a scrap piece of steel in the gap to protect against damage. It looks like this spring got nicked, which can cause leaf failure due to corrosion and stress concentrating at the cut. The cut leaves should have more stagger in their lengths, with the bottom one so short it's just a spacer. That will make it easier to wedge the scrap piece in, will prevent concentrating too much bend stress over a short area of the remaining leaves as they flex, and will keep a longer "lever" to prevent axle wrap/hop during torque from acceleration or braking. It won't retain much more spring rate than closely spaced cuts, but will control the axle much better. Sure, there's 8 leaves, but for a given amount of spring rate, they aren't individually as thick and resistant to "S curving" as the original 2 probably were.

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

Good idea, I didnt even scratch mine but I was being careful

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

That would be a good idea. Even just a small gap would help.

[@JoJo-js5ft]

Finally , the answer that no shop could/would tell me.

[@ecopsych101]

because they don't want the legal liability of telling you to do something like this.

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

Yeah modifying things are not something shops like to talk about for liability. But in my case my factory leafs are 2 thick and these were a whooping 8 leafs thick... so I felt pretty confident it was fine( and it was)

[@reggraham6789]

I did this 25 years ago on my Suburban diesel 4 by 4. I swear they were 1 ton front springs. Truck was only 1/2 ton. Can't remember how many I cut off but it never made a drop to be concerned with but it actually absorbed a bump or two once in awhile after that. Just did the same to the back springs on a 59 Oldsmobile today. Guy I bought it from put new springs in and it rides like a 3/4 ton International.. just looking on here to see how far I should go. LOL

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

I'm glad someone else has done this! Worked out great for me

[@raylafaver]

Kenny, I can't thank you enough for this video! I upgraded my leaf springs on my Jeep XJ to what 4 wheel parts reamended and it drove just as you described yours. They were eight leaf heavy duty 5.5 inch lift (which is what my jeep already was lifted to) and I took them back and exchanged them for the 4.5 inch lift that is six leaf. This was an improvement but still really disappointing ride for having spent so much money on new springs. So after putting up with them for almost two months I decided to cut the first two leaf's today. The difference is absolutely amazing! It drives like I have suspension again and much improved shock travel. Very happy with the results. Thanks again!

[@samroesch]

Came here with a stiff XJ as well haha

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

Awesome man!

[@jthetunes1]

I can't wait to try this! I have a lifted 89 k2500 with humvee body on it. Truck is super cool but it rides like a lumber wagon. I live in Rhode Island and our roads are absolutely trashed. Pot holes everywhere. Thank you so much for the video!! I know what I'll be doing this week👌👍👍

[@KelvinFPV]

My last truck had stock springs and 37s. The bumper and fenders were cut by the previous owner. Still scrubbed a little on hard turns on bumps so I put those leafs from Amazon you were talking about on it. Best damn riding truck I've ever had. It got stolen :(. My replacement has a 6inch lift with 35s. Of pavement is miserable. I will be doing this. Thanks.

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

Oh yeah those mini leafs are great. Factory ride just taller

[@upnorthyooper1196]

Try just buying a Quilty spring. I put a set of 6" skyjacker soft ride springs on the front of a big block suburban and was very happy with the ride. Those springs you have there look like mounsters.

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

Or save $800 bucks... and spend 1hr of labor... and just use the springs I have. All I'm doing to decreasing the spring rate. Many lift kits(even some skyjacker kits) use a higher spring rate for maximum clearance. Example 6" lift will clear 37s with a hard spring rate, but will rub over bumps with a soft spring rate. Also as a side note, skyjacker softrides do not specify whether or not they shift the front axle forward. On Excursions and 250/350s the alignment pin has to be shifted about an inch forward or else you can never fit bigger than 36" The tire will rub into the front fender. Big issue with lift kits that few people think about, Superlifts specify that they shift it forward. Obviously superlift is a value brand not a "yeti" style brand, however that doesn't mean skyjacker is the best it just means they charge more to support their advanced marketing strategies, nice website, and endorsements.

[@thebakery3996]

@@buildsomethingstupid1736 800 for rear springs? No one is charging that much for a leaf pack unless you want to pay that. I got a 6 lift for 900 and that included front and back and all the hardware to make it work. I respect saving money but damn.

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

@@thebakery3996 the original comment specifically mentions skyjacker soft rides which are $400 each spring so $800 for just the front 2 springs.

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

Sure. You spend hundreds per spring and they are way too stiff. The seller laughs and says you got what you paid for. Less toss those and buy another set and see how those do. Money is never an issue

[@upnorthyooper1196]

@@buildsomethingstupid1736 I got them for just under $400 a PAIR.

[@chuckplainview4085]

Would've probably been better off doing blocks on stock springs at that point. You essentially cut all of the tension out of the bottom packs. Same ultimate principle and achieves the same thing. Would be smart to wedge some steel in between the leaf your cutting and the next so you don't nick your leaf

[@gernblanstien4968]

Ummmmm, now the axle wrap will be scary. Off road tire hop will be brutal. Show us the springs in a year or 2... You can soften the ride by taking the stack apart and re-arcing (less arc) at the ends

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

So you believe that the spring stack is being twice as thick as OEM with a much harder spring rate will cause axle wrap?

[@tarzan30809]

Thanks Kenny, I will try this in my 1974 jeep J10 with a 4 9nch lift that rides very hard

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

Did it work

[@The77lubos77]

Amazing video man ❤️ I am building Nissan k260 and also lifted it by switching leafs from under the axle to top of the axle . But control rod is blocked by bottom leafes so this maybe could help i need to check it up

[@Truther00]

Will probably need to add a traction bar for the axle wrapping if don’t already have one

[@sadboycali]

I'm planning on doing this to my truck. The rear has heavy duty springs as it was used as a towing work truck. The rear is a little taller than the front so I don't mind losing an inch of height. Did you lift the truck up while cutting the springs or just on the floor? Also, over time how did they do? Did they start to sag or anything ?

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

Still rides great, no sagging, no body roll, no issues at all. I'm considering taking a little more out.... to make it even softer, then adding a plate to the bottom of the leaf stack (to add 1/2") to make sure the extra suspension travel doesn't allow the bumper to rub my tires.

[@sr_customs8154]

Yeah but also add airbags too it that will help with the lose of height

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

I was guessing on the video. I think I lost a maximum of 1/4"

[@Ahbabullah1]

Hello kenny 👋 , I have toyota hilux with 4 stock leaf springs, it rides like hell Can I remove one from the stack Waiting for your reply

[@mohammadmahdiahmadi1075]

If you cut leafs then can't standard load on the truck

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

1) this is the front and 2) this springs aren't oem springs they have double the spring rate

[@hrdcoreme]

I quite understood that quantifiable Grauel

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

Haha

[@StevenLNew]

I can definitely see this softening the ride for sure, but it will also not allow you to haul as much weight in your bed. It's a toss up I guess... Softer ride or don't haul anything heavy.

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

Not really, the lift springs are stiffer than factory. So even cutting these away like in the video I would still technically have more payload than factory. All that being said, these are the front springs not rear, factory setup has 2 leaves full length, these lift springs have 8 leaves, I simply shortened the bottom 4, leaving 4 full length leaves, still double factory. Your last sentence summed it up perfectly, if you have ever drove an f350 with no load you know they ride rough but they ride great once a heavy load is applied. The spring rate has to be matched to the load and purpose which is all I did here. Everything in life is a compromise to find balance.

[@StevenLNew]

@@buildsomethingstupid1736 I get that, but it will still effect the pay load of whatever spring you are cutting obviously. Each of the lower spring help support the upper springs... You lost a 1/2" of your lift... Because it can't hold the weight as well now... ( which is why you get a softer ride ) Not saying it's a good or bad idea. I am still thinking about doing it still as well. Just maybe not taking as much off because I do still haul things and tow heavy stuff. BUT I could go air bag while towing or hauling as well I am guessing. It's a compromise for sure and I like having that option as well.

[@scottrosenke8705]

Im glad I found this video. I just put on a new leaf pack for my Nissan Frontier and they said they were 3-4 lift, well once in it turned out to be 6". I am going to ask the self supplier if I can do this mod. Its a pain taking off the leafs. this would be good. Once you did this I assume the lift went down?

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

The supplier will probably say no for liability reasons, a true custom shop would understand though. Each leaf you shorten will reduce the spring rate. For example stock excursion rear leafs are 375lb/in (it takes 375lbs to squat the spring 1 inch). Without a very big custom rigged jig it would be impossible to accurately gauge the new spring rate however i would be sensible with your adjustments. For example my truck stock only had 2 leaves, the liftkit leaf had 8! so i reduced mine to 4 main leaves and 4 stubbys which is definitely safe IMHO. my suspension is stiffer than stock but much smoother than the 8 leaves were.

[@riotman1683]

So in a way it’s the same as blocking it up?

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

Block it up, chop it down, you do you man

[@hugavet3049]

I'm going to give this a shot before buying new springs

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

Did it work? I would also say if you have a lift that uses helper springs the helper spring itself is probably the cause! I had a helper on the back and replaced it with regular complete lifted springs.

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

As am I.

[@thedirtyneck]

Did you notice any increase in body roll or does your antisway bar take care of that? Thanks for the video.

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

None. It used to be a super hard hit over bumps now it feels like a normal f250

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

honestly the biggest thing is keeping your sway bar. Removing it is best for true "offroading" but for normal driving i 100% like my sway bar. when i go around a tight on ramp the excursion feels just like a normal modern truck, no roll at all. I had a jacked up 88 bronco that hard front and rear sway bars and that cornered great too and i know those roll like crazy with no bar.

[@johnathonkelp3587]

I tried this, def took most of the firmness out of the front end but now my steering is extremely loose with 0 resistance. Almost had a couple wrecks. Front end floats and its hard to control. I now have almost 12 inches of free play in the steering wheel. I need a new lift kit for the front now.

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

If you have 12 inches of free play in your steering wheel, It aint the leaf springs. I highly recommend checking your steering and track bar for problems as well as ensuring your sway bar is hooked up correctly.

[@johnathonkelp3587]

Only change I made, was cutting the leafs back. Everything was intact. Ordered new front lift springs, fixed the problem. Almost died trying to travel the interstate with my daughter in the truck. Made the wise decision to spend $600 all over again.

[@vmaxmuscle5612]

Thank you this helped me a lot ! Im going to put sliders on mine also , it should ride like a caddy then !

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

It made a huge difference. Could not be happier with the result.

[@thebakery3996]

Not trying to be rude but why not just adjust your shackle angle or adjust shackle location? Cutting your springs is crazy. You could have just bought the pack made for your vehicle weight.🤕

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

This pack is made for the vehicle. The vast majority of lift kits stiffen your suspension on purpose to allow clearance for bigger tires. Cutting leafs is not crazy and as pointed out in the video the stock leaf springs only have 2 leaves, this still has 4 full leafs(thats twice as strong as factory) your fear is from lack of understanding these are just big pieces of spring steel.

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

The industry is full of sellers who will sell you over-stiff springs for an Excursion. They come with reverse arch springs so it can fit in a regular garage and are 1980 lbs rated when new. After a few years, you have 1-2 inches of travel and a mushy ride. Ford really screwed the pooch on Excursion suspension. Not sure what they were thinking. Really kinda sad.

[@manaaalsuwaidi3643]

Interesting.... My 8 inch lifted F150 is starting to ride very VERY stiff.. adding a sand bag in the rear does help, but I think cutting it just like here is the way to go!

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

If it rides better with weight on it then yes the spring rate is probably too high. I bet your lift has a lot more leafs than factory. I have seen 12" lift kits with 10+ leafs... Can't ride good with 10+ leafs. Just remember you cant put it back on once you take it off so go conservatively.

[@adamcantryn4951]

I should probably do this as my truck shakes so darn bad with the 4” lift on my 91 f350 when going over pot holes that the stick shift starts freaking out bouncing around then the whole truck just keeps shaking until I come to a stop

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

That sounds like death wobble. Usually thats worn track bar brackets, steering and steering stabilizer

[@DuneMoose5]

Can you provide and update one year later?

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

Its still fantastic. No issues, no sagging, no body roll. Really one of the best ideas I have ever had because before I did this it was literally a teeth clicking brick on 4 wheels.

[@rickcarroll90]

Just got my Ironman heavy duty leafs in 8 of them and yeah it’s a box truck now definitely doing this do you have a lot more flex now?

[@DanneyTanner]

Looks like you have 1 ton spring set up the 2 leavs half ton set up

[@dekaOsiris]

Hi mate, any reason why you didn't take out some of the leafs out of the pack instead of shortening?

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

Yeah because that would take away the lift. If I removed the bottom 4 springs I'd lose 1.5 inches

[@dekaOsiris]

@@buildsomethingstupid1736 Ah that's fair. Was just thinking that you already have a substantial lift, compromising a little lift for ride comfort could also be a solution?

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

@@dekaOsiris If you bought a 6" lift but only want 4" I guess.

[@danielsmith7935]

Sulastics shackles seem to be the new way to gain ride qaulity

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

I just looked those up, they are making some bold claims... 60-80% vibration reduction? I don't see how that's possible especially since you're only replacing one side of the leaf spring mount. I also have practically zero vibration in my truck, the suspension was just stiff. That being said they don't affect the spring rate at all so it could be less vibration(if you had a vibration problem) but it can't make it softer over bumps

[@danielsmith7935]

@@buildsomethingstupid1736 I almost want to buy a pair to see how they are making them! Need new leafs on the rear of my 2001 Supercrew so maybe that's a good test point

[@inmuse7272]

Did this affect stability at highway speeds, by any chance?

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

Not on mine at all. This is mostly geared at lift springs which have much higher than stock spring rate. My factory springs had 2 leafs, these had 8!

[@gregking9728]

I can't wrap my head around wanting to lift any vehicle that stays on the highway?

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

Try meditation or something

[@carsonzhang5014]

Hope it won't crack out there

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

Still good so far

[@dkrawk8309]

i got dizzy counting the leaves lol. i have 3 in my f150, and im getting rid of one, i just want it to be comfortable

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

If you only have 3 to start with I wouldn't start cutting that! F150s usually ride really good from the start, maybe there's and issue with your suspension somewhere else.

[@darrenwmills8139]

I bet you have axle wrap now

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

Zero and this is the front axle by the way, would be rare to have that on a front axle anyway. The stock leaf spring is only 2 leaves, it now has 4 long leaves and 4 stubbys.

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

Have you seen the stock two-leaf reverse arch springs on a stock Ford Excursion? They are scary when new...much worse when sacked out.

[@pmd3211]

You did the lift wrong. Just use stock springs and longer shackles

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

You may want to do some research, you can't lift 8" on shackles... even if you made ridiculously long shackles that could provide 8" of lift... it would be incredibly unstable.

[@gorgonbazil2652]

LOL, you are going to break your leafs doing this, especially if you really start working your suspension!

[@tomhahn6077]

Well, you just destroyed the integrity of those leaf springs being able to hold the capacity load at its rated for. But I'm sure you already know that because I'm sure a lot of people already posted that

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

The factory springs are only 2 leafs and rated much lower. This new stack still has 4 leafs and still has a higher spring rate. Lift springs are often massively overrated because less flex makes it easier to clear larger tires,

[@tomhahn6077]

@@buildsomethingstupid1736 but you have those leaf springs that are arched to support the arch of the leaf spring above and if you cut that away with time, you're going to snap those springs. Because the top spring doesn't have the support that it needs to be at that Arch. There's reasons why they do what they do

[@tomhahn6077]

I wish I could send you a picture on this but I can't. I have one where I didn't even cut the springs and all nine of them. Racked. With time they will crack. Hopefully in your case it doesn't. But in my case they cracked right in the middle

[@tomhahn6077]

And I didn't even cut them. Because the arch is 8 in they said what time that happens. And I have the same vehicle.

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

@@tomhahn6077 If yours cracked in the middle then your spring wasnt tightened properly and it was flexing at the narrow area on the sides of the center bolt hole. That is an entirely different issue

[@jchrg2336]

Haha..yup, a not to do action, but most would want it to look cool...halleluja

[@dannyboyrides4507]

why not?

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

I'm just really confused by your words... how does cutting something no one sees.... "want it to look cool"

[@clittle1559]

I can see the concept alittle sketchy.. I guess if you measure and cut each side 10000% exact or you be unevenly daunting around

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

Its not quite that sensitive, mine rides so much better and is very even.... I mean if you wanted to get technical you would actual want to remove slightly more from the passenger side, that way the drivers weight would make it even more even. Just like the best practice for alignment... even tho no one does it

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

The springs themselves on my excursion are "offset". I think I may measure the percentage fore and aft and cut accordingly

[@dragonton4455]

Could this still work for the stock rear?

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

Try it at your own risk! If you don't tow anything heavy and you don't mind losing a slight amount of height in exchange for softer suspension it could work out! I'd only cut one leaf back at a time and retest it, you can always take more off but you cant put it back on! I think stock rear leafs have 6 springs, I would only cut the bottom 2 at max.

[@dragonton4455]

@@buildsomethingstupid1736 shoot! I cut the top leaf first and the truck must have dropped 6"! Iv only did one side so far... but it's not riding good at all. It's like it's not connected right or something. Update. .. truck is not taking corners well. I think the heat from the cutting torch did somthing to the springs.

[@averyalexander2303]

@@dragonton4455 Please replace the springs you cut before you cause an accident!

[@lk6912]

@@dragonton4455 this has to be a joke

[@dragonton4455]

@@lk6912 it was my attempt 😉

[@smalltown6424]

My name is Kenneth Redlin ...lol 😆 two Kenny R s

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

Haha nice

[@pmd3211]

If you cut them it will lower the truck

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

Yeah it lowered the truck about a 1/4" and made a huge difference in ride quality. Definitely a great outcome. If the 1/4" bothers you just add a 1/4 plate to the bottom of the spring stack.

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

Watch the video again my friend.

[@KiyaWarrior]

This is definitely not fucking dangerous. Lmao.

[@buildsomethingstupid1736]

lol the stock springs are only 2 leafs, I cut 4 and still have 4 left now. you can look up a front axle "mini leaf lift kit" its essentially the same thing... check out the springs of some trucks lifted 20" or so, some of them have about 20 leaf springs. So basically the truck rides like a giant brick all so they can say "no block lift kit". In reality the best lift would be to cut the spring mounts out and make huge triangle shaped frame reinforcements that relocated the spring mounts and shock mounts down the desired amount for the lift... then you could have "stock" suspension components and it would ride great. Pretty much every lifted truck on the road has rock hard suspension and little to no travel