Automobiles have changed a lot since the very first one was conceived eons ago, receiving loads of new and updated technology over that time span. This includes suspension components, which have changed quite a bit over the years – albeit, not in every area. Rather, every Ford F-150 model – save for the Raptor and Raptor R, as well as the all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning – still uses leaf springs out back, which is a somewhat ancient piece of technology that has thus far beaten the odds to stick around. That raises an important question – is it time for Ford to finally abandon leaf springs in the F-150 for something a bit more modern?
The very first leaf springs actually date back to the Romans, who used them to cushion the ride of their chariots somewhat, and didn’t change much until the Ford Model A introduced the first mass-produced shock absorber in 1927. The leaf spring is a simple creation, consisting of layers of steel that are sandwiched on top of each other, held together by metal clamps and bolted into place with u-joints.
Leaf springs offer several benefits, including the fact that they’re quite beefy – which is precisely why they’re still used in many new trucks today. They can handle a lot in terms of vertical loads, and those loads are distributed throughout the length of the leaf spring, rather than being concentrated in one specific area, as is the case with coilovers. They’re also cheap to produce and simple in nature, but they aren’t adjustable like coilovers, nor do they provide the same levels of ride comfort, depending on the application.
Leaf springs are also really designed only to move vertically, and when combined with a live rear axle, can lead to a rather bouncy, unsettling ride over less than perfect surfaces. Regardless, their benefits – particularly in truck applications – are hard to ignore, which is precisely why many manufacturers continue to utilize them there. However, many new truck owners aren’t exactly using them to haul or tow heavy loads on a regular basis, and may prefer to trade some of that capability for better ride comfort. Thus, that begs the question – should Ford ditch leaf springs in the F-150 for coilovers, as it has already done with the Raptor? Let us know what you think in the poll below!
Comments
time to bring back the F150/250 from the late 90s/early 00s back as the F150 HD with leaf springs and F150 with coil. boom, done.
The F-150 Lightning also has ditched leaf springs in favor of an independent coil spring rear suspension.
Splitting hairs here, but the Lightning also runs coils in the rear
I had a Ram 1500 for 10 years on coil springs all over front and rear. It drove ok when new but as it aged the ride got worse. It as well just like the GM twins is not as capable as a ford. Got rid of it and have a 2021 f150 xlt. It has leafs. It is a better ride and more capable.
Rear coil springs is one of the reasons I purchased a Ram 1500 over a F150. I have owned many Ford trucks and it was time to leave the leaf springs behind.
Give the owners choices. Leaf springs for those who haul/tow. Trucks with other forms of suspension for those who just want to look cozy and cute. Some people use them for work and livelihood.
I drive a lot of rental trucks, The Ram trucks ride the best. I think if Ford would change over to coil springs. They would ride so much better.
The F150 Lightning does not use leaf springs. It gets a fully independent rear suspension setup
If you actually use a truck as a truck, leaf springs make all the difference under load, especially when towing.
Yep I didn’t buy a truck for the ride so I haul stuff and tow stuff. And leaf springs are by far still the best.. plus are super easy to modify..no special tools . Once loaded the ride is better than soft car Springs .
Leave the truck a truck. If citiots want the look of rugged they can have the feel too.
Why ruin a perfectly good thing?
So the argument is potentially less performance in the area that trucks are meant to perform, so that some dude who doesn’t need a truck but thinks they make him a man can experience a smoother ride?? Why not just get a different vehicle???
Lighter leaf with airbags is ideal. Like a semi.
I have a 21 F150 STX. Great ride with leaf springs that has helper springs when adding weight. Dont change a good thing.
Keep the leaf springs. I just got a new F150 XLT and it rides great.
Ford was slow to change live axel of Explorer and totally sleepy about leaf springs. Technologies from yesterday but hey, it’s a truck they manufacture from late 1940s.
How they intend to compete with real ev trucks?
Why fix what ain’t broke ?
Using the logic I’ve already seen, Ford should still be using ONE I-beam front axle in front as it did until the 1965 models…keep in mind Ford didn’t update their transverse buggy-leaf front end in passenger cars until 1949…
I bought a 2016 F150 4×4 when it was one year old. It’s been perfect for me, including when I pull my trailer with a skid steer on it. Consumer reports said its ride was “jittery”
On rough roads. I agree but I didn’t buy it for comfort. CR gave the Ram high marks for its smooth coil springs ride. This was not a concern for me.
Until I was diagnosed with arthritis in my back. Every bump is literally a sharp pain for me now. Now I wish I had coils.
If changing to coils results in a ride like the Ram 2500 we just got for work with the SpaceCap, then no thanks! Its like piloting a sailing a ship in rough seas. Literally get motion sick from even the shortest rides and fear fory safety on linger ones. Now, if it’s a set up like on the Expedition, then a resounding yes. Great load carrying capability and awesome ride both loaded and empty. Just my 2c.
And it you want both, bring back the F100 and make it a coil spring set up.
I agree with Steve. If you want a comfy ride and heated leather seats buy a Lincoln or a Caddy. Leave the pickup truck alone so it can do what it was designed for, hard work and hauling things. I have two F-150’s a 2003 and a 2016 both rcsb XL trim strippers and they fill my needs perfectly. And that 2016 with the 2.7 Ecoboost is FAST!
Leave well enough alone
If rethinking the rear suspension improves ride and lowers cost, do it. If it increases cost, don’t do it. The F150 needs to be affordable.
Real EV trucks….I just snarfed….lol.
Leaf springs are not held in place by u-joints (universal joints) as stated. They are held in place against the spring perch and axle tube by u-bolts. I program the controls and robots that weld these frames together. I can say with authority that replacing the leaf springs with coil over springs adds complexity and cost to the suspension geometry and lowers the load carrying and towing capacites.
In one paragraph Mr foote thinks leaf springs are cheap and not complex, in another paragraph he says coil springs are cheap and not complex. Needs to make up his mind
Man can’t make up his mind about which technology is cheaper or less complicated
At least change Ranger to coil spring rear end. While I’m at it on mid size trucks, the Jeep Gladiator should change to independent coil front suspension.
Maybe it time for a suspension option to choose either leaf springs or coil springs depending upon the buyers need.
How did shock absorbers change leaf springs on the model A? Is a “coilover” a shock absorber with a small coil spring around it?
Make coil-overs an option on the higher trim levels (Lariat / King Ranch / Platinum) and we can all be happy!
It’s a truck isn’t it?… you could always give the option of swapping out the leaf for coil for a bit extra on any of the better model variants. That would solve all issues…. while we are at it though, what have you done with the V8? Bring the V8 back asap…. it is king… there is now engine that can match it, and yes, I’ve driven them all!!!!
A truck has leaf springs anything else is a sales gimmick esp air ride junk You wana tow or haul leafs only way to go You want a pavement princess waistin your$$
If Ford had bought Packard Motor Co. in 1955 , they would have owned the Torsion Bar Suspension. This breakthrough in suspension systems would have made their ride in autos , and trucks a better suspension . The ride was so improved through the twisting of spring torsion bars to keep the truck on a level ride ,and stopped the dive on stopping of the truck and pulling any load .
If you take the leaf springs out of the F150, I would not consider it a real truck anymore. If want a vehicle that drives more like a car, buy a car.
Rear coil with airbags?!
If its still a solid axle then leave leaf spring. Independent rear then coil