Leaf Springs vs. Coil Springs

[R.E.Lee]

Guys,

I posted this in the 6.0 section, but also wanted to get feedback from the leaf spring crowd.

I am in the process of looking for another Powerstroke truck and am a bit on the fence about what I want in terms of looks/driveability. Ideally I want the 2005-2006 front look though the pricing on the 2005 trucks makes me shy away a bit.

Important fact to mention is that whatever truck I buy will already have an 8-10" lift and 37"+ tires (that has been the criteria for most trucks I have taken interest in).

My last truck (1997 F250) had a 9" lift via leaf springs. It rode pretty rough, primarily as the previous owner used add-a-leafs to accomplish most of the front lift. As well, the 38.5" boggers rubbed the springs alot when making a sharp parking lot turn (even when nowhere near full lock). The crappy turning radius is something I REALLY want to avoid this time around.

The 2005 truck I looked at recently had a 10" lift and the coil springs made both the ride and turning radius substantially better than my 97.

My question is, if the lift is done correctly with leaf springs on an '01 truck will 37" tires rub on the leaf springs no matter what and will the leaf springs never ride as well as a truck on coil springs?

Thanks!

[Zaairman]

The coil spring truck will ride better and turn sharper.

[R.E.Lee]

Originally Posted by Zaairman

The coil spring truck will ride better and turn sharper.

But enough to justify the cost difference (figure its a $6k difference between an '01 and an '05 even after factoring in the '05 front end conversion) and having a 6.0 motor?

[Zaairman]

Originally Posted by R.E.Lee

But enough to justify the cost difference (figure its a $6k difference between an '01 and an '05 even after factoring in the '05 front end conversion) and having a 6.0 motor?

That's personal preference.

[JSchuricht]

You could also swap in the axles and suspension from a 05+ truck.

[R.E.Lee]

Originally Posted by Zaairman

That's personal preference.

I hear you. I was just looking for the opinion of someone who has ridden/owned both a leaf spring and coil spring superduty and can give an honest side by side comparison.

Originally Posted by JSchuricht

You could also swap in the axles and suspension from a 05+ truck.

True...but at some point it makes more sense to have the newer truck and value that comes with it (should I need to sell it).

[choctaw]

Some food for thought...If I were you I would NOT buy a truck that is already lifted, I feel they will have more of a propensity for problems.

I would buy a truck and put the lift of my own choice. JMHO

[Goose350]

Buy a 7.3l and then put the 05 front end on

[R.E.Lee]

Originally Posted by Goose350

Buy a 7.3l and then put the 05 front end on

That's what my wallet wants me to do, but if I have the same crappy turning radius and ride as I had on my '97 with leaf springs (granted they were add-a-leafs in front), I would be unhappy.

My last trip into lifted trucks was awesome, but the truck was just too rough and impractical for daily usage...I had to really want to drive the truck to deal with the little issues (rough ride, GF hated it, hard to park, crazy bogger noise). I want the new truck to be equally high, but a little more comfortable.

My OBS that I sold in October:

[PolarBear]

I would ride around on stiff leaf springs all day long before I would ever buy another 6.0.