97 E350 Crestline Ambo Build/Mod
- Thread starter Bikersmurf
- Start date
Bikersmurf
Expedition Leader
Thanks, Looking forward to it. Unfortunately I had to cancel tomorrow's appointment to finish the A/C repair. 
Oh well, doesn't really matter when it's sidelined. Glad it's not my DD at the moment.
Oh well, doesn't really matter when it's sidelined. Glad it's not my DD at the moment.
Bikersmurf
Expedition Leader
Well, the rig is sidelined for about a week... D/S rear main leaf is broken
FYI, there are two options for Ford Ambos 92-200?
Standard 9 Leaf Pack
HD 10 Leaf Pack
So... if you need to order them, just call the spring shop. I waited till they were out so I could bring them in, and could've ordered them sooner.
Also, with a broken main and one other, it is more cost effective than having the pack repaired. At least that was the case here.
FYI, there are two options for Ford Ambos 92-200?
Standard 9 Leaf Pack
HD 10 Leaf Pack
So... if you need to order them, just call the spring shop. I waited till they were out so I could bring them in, and could've ordered them sooner.
Also, with a broken main and one other, it is more cost effective than having the pack repaired. At least that was the case here.
Well, the rig is sidelined for about a week... D/S rear main leaf is broken
FYI, there are two options for Ford Ambos 92-200?
Standard 9 Leaf Pack
HD 10 Leaf Pack
So... if you need to order them, just call the spring shop. I waited till they were out so I could bring them in, and could've ordered them sooner.
Also, with a broken main and one other, it is more cost effective than having the pack repaired. At least that was the case here.
If you haven't and you still have time have your new ones ordered with a military wrap. If you bust a main again it's still a bugger, but it won't be as big a bugger.
Bikersmurf
Expedition Leader
They are already ordered... and the spring shop only had one option.
I agree the Military Wrap is a very good idea. The rear springs I built for my Fj40 have full military wraps on both ends. (the Stock front only on the fixed end)
The Ambo main leaf broke inline with the rear end of the U-Bolts... It wasn't visible... and was even overlooked by several mechanics who inspected the spring pack. Rust and wear indicate that it has been broken for many, many years (kinda Scary in fact). The one plus side was that it was the shackle end that broke. I suspect it failed because the shackle bolt fused to the shackle bushing. No amount of hammering with a BFH could break if free.
The moral: Very closely inspect those main leafs when looking over the springs. Fortunately, this problem only revealed itself when I cut through the second U-Bolt with the angle grinder.
Hopefully it'll settle & sit level when the new pack goes in... if not, I'll likely have the second pack replaced sooner than later making for new springs on all four corners... may end up adding lift blocks in the front so it sits more level and has more space before it hits the stops. For now the 245/75 front vs 225/75 rear help to reduce the Ambo rake.
Last edited:
IdaSHO
IDACAMPER
Leaf breakage on a ford full-size is pretty rare.
I wouldnt bother hunting for a set of "military wrap" leafs with the correct load rating.
Im not even sure if they exist, as Ive never looked. Simply because I do not feel they are needed.
As long as the spring shop has its ducks in a row, and have the packs built to support the load, you should be good to go.
I wouldnt bother hunting for a set of "military wrap" leafs with the correct load rating.
Im not even sure if they exist, as Ive never looked. Simply because I do not feel they are needed.
As long as the spring shop has its ducks in a row, and have the packs built to support the load, you should be good to go.
Bikersmurf
Expedition Leader
I've been dealing with this shop for about 20 years, so I'm confident they'll get me the right ones.
I Believe it was 92-2011 (or something like that) all used the same standard 9 leaf packs or 10 leaf HD packs (less common). New pack was cheaper than having one built/rebuilt.
I Believe it was 92-2011 (or something like that) all used the same standard 9 leaf packs or 10 leaf HD packs (less common). New pack was cheaper than having one built/rebuilt.
Bikersmurf
Expedition Leader
I'll get the PNs.
Regular 350 pack $379/side
HD $429
From Westshore Spring here.
Prices looked somewhat better after shipping from the US, but for a few $, I'd rather support the local shop, and have support if there is a problem. If there's a problem they can make what I need vs having to ship stuff back etc.
Regular 350 pack $379/side
HD $429
From Westshore Spring here.
Prices looked somewhat better after shipping from the US, but for a few $, I'd rather support the local shop, and have support if there is a problem. If there's a problem they can make what I need vs having to ship stuff back etc.
Bikersmurf
Expedition Leader
9 leaf standard Ambo Pack (and others)
P/N 43-1085
$379 CAD here on the Island
Got lucky and bought some U-bolts that the Ambulance Service service sold to the Spring Shop... $15/pair... Not worth undoing them for that price.
P/N 43-1085
$379 CAD here on the Island
Got lucky and bought some U-bolts that the Ambulance Service service sold to the Spring Shop... $15/pair... Not worth undoing them for that price.
Bikersmurf
Expedition Leader
Oddly enough, the new side sits lower than the worn in side... Hopefully that'll improve after a few miles.
Bikersmurf
Expedition Leader
New pack is 2" lower than the old side. The "empty" rig now has flat or possibly even a reverse arch on the new pack. In fact, the new pack sits at the same height as the pack with 2 cracked leaves... Will be taking it in to the spring shop to get an explanation. I'll likely weigh both sides to be sure weight isn't why the new pack is 2" lower than the old. I could possibly live with it being lower on both sides... But I'd be afraid it'll settle and be on the bumpstops... Or dragging its rear every time I turn around.
I'm not entirely surprised. I don't know much about making springs. Is there some kind of spec book they use in order to recreate springs for a specific vehicle type? How exactly do they know what to make?
When I got my springs in for my ujoint conversion the rear end sat a good 3" low from being level with the front. I weighed it like required prior to ordering, and weighed it again when the problem popped up. Spring shop tried to say it was because I was 500 lbs heavier in the rear. Uh, no. I mean the bulk of the 1200# total additional couldn't have had anything to do with a D60, transfer case, extra steel driveshaft, and a wheel/tire package that weighs a good 400# more than the ones taken off.
And mine has a lean to it as well.
It's good that you can drive it right in there, point, and say "whatdafu"? Pretty hard for them to dance around that I'd think.