leaf spring questions

The springs in the front of my 63 van don't match from side to side (One has more leafs in it)
Also the front suspension beats and bangs on bumps rather violently. How many leafs should the springs have in them? and what should the stock arch on the springs be?

Factory they should be the same, but I have heard of people adding a leaf if one side starts to sag. If i had to guess its your drivers side that has more leafs.

5 leafs standard van, 6 or 7 heavy duty. I just went through all of this and put all new leaf springs front and back. Mine had 6 or 7 and a few pieces. Over the years, guys try and balance them out and jury rig it because they get weak.

I put in new leaf springs, new shocks, king pins, tie rod ends, just about everything. Rides like a dream. Just need to get the doors to stop rattling.

NoBiggie wrote:5 leafs standard van, 6 or 7 heavy duty. I just went through all of this and put all new leaf springs front and back. Mine had 6 or 7 and a few pieces. Over the years, guys try and balance them out and jury rig it because they get weak.

I put in new leaf springs, new shocks, king pins, tie rod ends, just about everything. Rides like a dream. Just need to get the doors to stop rattling.

Where did you get your new leaf springs? Custom made, or off the shelf?

My new leaf springs came from Eaton springs.

iambeninla wrote:My new leaf springs came from Eaton springs.

Do they make them specifically for the Econoline, or did you have to send them specs?

Yes they are specifically for Econolines.

iambeninla wrote:Yes they are specifically for Econolines.

Awesome, thanks.

thanks. that is some great info. how much did a pair of front springs cost?

I bought the truck and they were already on there. Eaton Spring's number is 313-963-3839. Mine was sitting a little high so I had the springs dearched 2". Tell them what motor you are running that should get you the correct springs.

Eaton Springs for me also. They know what you need. The only issue I had on mine was on the rear springs. The new bushing they put in for the front end of the rear spring is about 1/8" too wide, and it is metal. So I had to grind them down on the grinder to get them to fit into the pocket that is built into the frame of the van.

I had the normal spring in the front, and added 1" of arc in the rear to get some 'rake' to the van. That and larger rear tires gave me about 2" of rake.