What year did Ford stop using front leaf springs?
There isn’t a single year that applies to all Ford models. The shift away from front leaf springs happened at different times depending on the vehicle line. For most Ford passenger cars, the change occurred during the 1930s, while many trucks and heavy-duty configurations retained front leaf springs well into the late 20th century.
How Ford's front suspension evolved
Ford’s suspension evolution moved from a traditional solid front axle with transverse leaf springs to more modern independent front suspensions. This progression varied by vehicle type, driven by ride quality, load demands, and manufacturing practicality.
Passenger cars: the move away from front leaf springs
In Ford’s passenger car lineup, the trend was toward independent front suspension designs introduced in the 1930s. As these designs matured, front leaf springs became progressively less common on new passenger-car models, giving way to coil-sprung or other independent arrangements.
Trucks and heavy‑duty vehicles: leaf springs lingered longer
Front leaf springs persisted longer in Ford’s trucks and commercial vehicles, where the load-bearing and durability advantages were valued. Some configurations continued to use leaf-sprung fronts into the latter part of the 20th century, with a broader shift to independent suspensions occurring later in that era.
Timeline highlights (by vehicle family)
The following is a high-level overview to illustrate the general pattern, not a model-by-model catalog.
- Passenger cars generally moved away from front leaf springs during the 1930s as independent suspension became more common.
- Light-duty and heavy-duty trucks retained front leaf springs longer, with variations by model and market.
- By the late 20th century, Ford broadly adopted independent front suspension for most mainstream pickups, while some heavy‑duty configurations retained leaf-sprung fronts for specific applications.
Concluding: The exact year a specific Ford model stopped using front leaf springs depends on the model line and market segment. The overall trend shows a move away from front leaf springs in passenger cars during the 1930s and a longer persistence in trucks and heavy-duty variants into the late 20th century.
Summary
The question does not have a single universal answer. Ford’s shift away from front leaf springs occurred at different times across its lineup: passenger cars largely phased them out in the 1930s, while some trucks and heavy-duty models retained front leaf springs into the late 20th century before modern independent front suspensions became standard.
Does Ford use leaf springs?
Popular models like the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, Nissan Navara, Volkswagen Amarok, Ford F150, Isuzu D-Max, Toyota Tundra, and Toyota Tacoma still rely on leaf springs.
When did Ford switch to IFS?
Ford Motor Co.'s new twin traction beam suspension for its 1980 four-wheel drive vehicles uses stamped support arms and a third U-joint in the front axle to achieve independent front suspension (IFS). The new suspension was specially developed for the front drive axle.
What year to stay away from F250?
Years to avoid for the Ford F-250 include 2002, 2006, and 2017 due to major issues like steering problems, engine failures, and the "death wobble". Other problematic years are 2008 and 2011, which also have significant reports of death wobble, and 2005, which had a high number of recalls. The 2017 model year is frequently cited as the worst due to a high volume of complaints.
Specific years to avoid
- 2002: Dangerous steering failures and spark plugs ejecting from the engine.
- 2005: Has a high number of recalls.
- 2006: Unexpected stalling, steering issues, and potential throttle body problems.
- 2008: Known for brake failure and the "death wobble".
- 2011: Suffers from the "death wobble" and transmission issues with abrupt shifts.
- 2017: Widely considered one of the worst years, with numerous complaints about steering and suspension, including the "death wobble".
- 2018: Also part of the 2017-2022 generation with issues related to steering and suspension.
Other years to be cautious about
- 2019: While often cited as a good year for the F-350, the F-250 in this year had reported issues with its 10-speed transmission.
- 2020: Had problems with its 10-speed transmission.
- 2015-2017: Had issues with the first-year aluminum body and the 10-speed transmission.
Important note
- Be aware of which engines are in the model years you are considering. For example, the 5.4-liter Triton engine from 2002-2008 is particularly problematic.
When did they stop using leaf springs?
Leaf springs were very common on automobiles until the 1970s when automobile manufacturers shifted primarily to front-wheel drive, and more sophisticated suspension designs were developed using coil springs instead.
