Doug T (7/26/2009)
Hi Charlie,
I would be interested to hear about your experience with monoleaf springs and I thinksome others would be also. If youhave a momentcould you please open anew topic and let us know what you did; buy a kit, have a good instruction article from a mag or other source another guy did it on a similar truck, problems benefits etc etc.?
Also are you coming to Columbus this year?
Carried over from the FRONT SUSPENSION QUESTION ABOUT DROPPING TRUCK thread.
I purchased a pair of front monoleafs from Sacramento Vintage Ford. They came with bushings installed. I also ordered a shackle kit. The installation was as simple as removing the old springs and installing these. I referred to my truck's shop manual for torque specs and such. The particular springs I purchased were advertised to drop it 3." The actual drop came to 2 1/2" but the bushings of the old springs were shot, and essentially lowering the truck slightly already. There's a good chance that the bushing slop made the 1/2" difference. They were worn bad enough that in a turn the whole truck would slide on the bushings; the axle actually moved side to side.
I don't know much about the technical aspect of the monoleaf or multileaf springs.
Opinions seemed to be split about 50/50 as it seems to be with most anything. The #1 reason I heard not to get them as I recall is that if the spring breaks, you are not going to have a good day. I thought about that for a while and wondered what's the difference between a the main leaf of a multileaf breaking and the mono leaf breaking. I thought either way, it's not going to be a good day. I also found that some production cars came with monoleaf springs. I believe, don't quote me, that one was a Corvette. If a big auto maker can use them for a production car, they must be alright for my truck which doesn't do much truck work anyway.
The truck seemed to handle slightly better but it probably had more to do with good bushings than the springs. It was neither more nor less bouncy. It's been at least 7 years that I've had them on there and so far I have no reason to regret it.
I will be at Columbus. I have photo duty. If my truck is in a good mood, it will be there, too.