stolenphot0

Hey guys I'm new here, but have had trucks most of my life. First was a 1978 F150 Custom with full time 4x4 & a 351M, snow plow. I was a 3rd generation owner.

Now I have a 1995 F150 XL with a 302 5-speed and the previous owner installed a 3" body lift kit and 33" tires - this is where my question lies.

I know I have to replace the spring tower (see attached image), but since I am going to have the spring and shock off I want to replace them too, as I know the shocks are ready. My question is with the 3" body lift can I use stock springs and shocks, or do I have to look for ones made for a 3" lift? I have never dealt with a lifted anything before, so this is all new to me.

If you need anymore info I'll try to give the best I can, and thank you in advance for the help

I found a thread from earlier discussing the replacement procedure

This isn't my everyday driver, more of toy for hauling firewood and lumber for home projects

flareside_thunder

No, the spring/shock towers have nothing to do with the bodylift.... The bodylift is mounted between the body and the frame, you're good.

stolenphot0

thanks. I was thinking that was the case, but am thankful you verified. now to start pricing it all out and try not to freak my wife out too much.

flareside_thunder

If you really wanna freak her out, tell her you'll be half-way there anyways so you might as well put a lift kit on it.

stolenphot0

lol, my kids already have a hard enough time getting in with the body lift... I'm thinking of going with the Rancho 9000XL shocks (RS999029 & RS999116) all around and the Moog CC824 Coil Springs which places me near $500 before the towers.

stolenphot0

since money is tight right now it looks like I am just doing the one tower, and when I get the rest saved up, I can replace the shocks and springs. I need to have this truck drivable by next week.

stolenphot0

one more quick question before I start this on Saturday - will i need to compress the coil spring before removal and for replacement?

flareside_thunder

Not if you can get the truck jacked up high enough....I have never compressed the coil spring.....

HOUSEDIVIDED

I had to replace my coil springs on my '94 when one broke. It is easy to get the springs out with a spring compressor. They can be rented from most autopart stores. On another note, keep an eye on your rear shackle bracket. The stock ones like to hold dirt and water and then rust out. I found out the hard way when one of mine broke. I got a nice ghetto lean though when one side broke.

stolenphot0

thanks guys. i started the process today since the new tower came in, i actually have to replace the shocks now since the upper bolt broke on removal. i believe they were the original shocks. its a little ahead of schedule (money wise) but not much i can do about it now.

spring removal was actually easier than i was expecting

anyways i am at the point where i need to remove the brake line from the back of the tower, but am going to do that after work tomorrow when i can swing by the store and get some hose to plug the line.