Does Ford still use leaf springs?
Yes. Ford still uses leaf-sprung rear suspensions in certain vehicles—primarily the heavy-duty and commercial lineup—while most of its passenger cars and light-duty trucks have shifted toward coil springs or independent suspension.
Current landscape of Ford suspension technology
Across Ford’s lineup, suspension design varies by application. Leaf springs remain a staple where payload, durability, and simple service are most important, particularly on heavy-duty and fleet-focused models. In contrast, Ford’s consumer vehicles emphasize ride quality and handling with coil springs, multi-link rear suspensions, and even air suspension in some trims.
Where leaf springs still appear
Leaf-sprung rear axles are still used in specific Ford segments to maximize load-bearing capability. The following examples illustrate the current practice:
- Ford Super Duty trucks (F-250, F-350, F-450) commonly use leaf-spring rear suspensions to support high payloads and stability during heavy towing.
- Some Ford commercial vans and chassis cab configurations rely on leaf-sprung rear axles to handle heavy equipment and service bodies.
- Certain legacy or specialty Ford trucks may offer leaf springs as standard or optional equipment depending on market and configuration.
Leaf-spring setups remain a practical choice in these areas, where durability and load-carrying capability overshadow ride finesse typically provided by coil or air suspensions.
Why Ford keeps leaf springs in these segments
Rationale for continuing to offer leaf-sprung rear suspensions in these segments:
- Payload and towing capacity: Leaf springs distribute heavy loads along a solid axle, aiding stability when fully loaded.
- Durability and serviceability: The design is robust and relatively straightforward to repair in fleet settings or remote service conditions.
- Cost efficiency: Leaf-spring components tend to be cheaper to manufacture and replace for high-mileage, work-oriented applications.
- Compatibility with body-on-frame architecture: Heavy-duty, body-on-frame designs align well with leaf-spring suspensions.
Taken together, leaf springs offer concrete advantages for workhorse applications despite advances in suspension technology elsewhere.
Impact on consumers and maintenance considerations
For everyday drivers, the shift toward coil or independent suspensions generally translates to smoother rides and more predictable handling, especially on uneven roads. If you’re shopping for a Ford for personal use and occasionally towing, understanding the suspension setup can help you balance comfort, payload needs, and maintenance expectations.
In many cases, you’ll find leaf-sprung suspensions on the Super Duty line, while the F-150 and most SUVs lean toward coil or independent designs. Always check the specific model, trim, and configuration to confirm the suspension type and its trade-offs.
Future outlook
Ford continues to expand independent rear suspension and air-suspension options across its mainstream lineup to improve ride, handling, and efficiency. Leaf springs are unlikely to vanish entirely, but they will remain confined to the segments where durability and payload remain paramount—chiefly heavy-duty trucks and certain commercial configurations.
Summary
Leaf springs remain part of Ford's toolbox. They continue to play a vital role in heavy-duty and commercial applications, where payload, durability, and cost are critical. In passenger cars and light-duty trucks, Ford increasingly relies on coil springs, multi-link configurations, and air suspension to deliver a smoother ride and better handling. Buyers should verify the suspension setup of a given model and trim to understand ride characteristics and capabilities.
