F250 CS springs in a SWB F100?

[FORDification]

Hey, I just need some recommendations on a spring swap.

I'm planning on using my F100 for towing a loaded car trailer, in addition to it's duty as a daily driver. The stock 5-leaf setup was shot so it got tossed out and replaced with those from a '68 F100 Ranger and include the Flexomatic setup, but the springs are slightly worn....that is, on each leaf you can see a wear spot caused from the leaf immediately under it.
Here's a pic of my current setup

I'm kinda thinking that this setup isn't going to be enough for my needs, so I'm thinking about an upgrade from one (or more) of my parts trucks.

I have a '68 F100 with a 6-leaf setup and a factory helper spring. The springs on this truck are also worn about the same amount.
Here's a pic of the '68 F100's spring pack and helper spring

The '67 F250 I recently bought has a very nice (almost new) 7-leaf setup, though I realize that those Camper Special springs would rattle an empty SWB truck to pieces, so I'm thinking that I could just remove a leaf or two to soften it up a bit....so that it's stiffer than the F100 springs, but tolerable for daily use when the truck is unloaded.
Here's a pic of the F250's spring pack

So here are my options:

1) Remove a couple leafs from the F250 springs and use them. If I go this route, how many would I remove, and should I use the Flexomatic shackles and/or helper spring?
2) Just add the '68 helper spring to my current 5-leaf setup. I'd have to drill some holes in the frame to mount the brackets, but I guess that's do-able. But I'd still have worn springs.
3) Use the '68's 6-leaf setup w/helper spring. They're worn the same as my current 5-leaf setup, but it's still one extra leaf plus the helper spring.

So what do you think? Considering it's going to be a daily driver but will see semi-frequent use hauling a heavy trailer, I'm leaning towards option 1 and using the helper spring, but I'll welcome all insights and opinions.

[68F250]

Ok, I'm confused by the choices (just had dinner, can't think) but let me tell you, I like the spring pack on my F250 Camper Special. The ride is not that bad at all empty and I know I can abuse it with a couple tons in the back if need be.

[MudinMan4x4]

i agree the f-250 ride isnt that bad "BUT" your's is a SWB , Get some air bags sorry i wasent much help

[68F250]

Oh yeah, you got a SWB. Then the F250 springs might be a little rough.

Do you think the springs already on there are too weak? What kind of tongue weight are we talking here? Will it have trailer brakes? I think the Flex-O-Matic does a decent job with an empty load, too bad your '68 springs don't have 'em.

['75-4x4guy]

IF it was me, I would just add the overload spring and call it good .
Are you hesitant to do some drilling due to the powder coating?
Are the f250 and F100 springs the same width , I know that on the '73-'79 trucks the F100 springs are 2 and one half inches wide where as the F250 springs are 3 inches wide , ( on the 2 wheel drive trucks that is )maybe something to check ?

[FORDification]

I BELIEVE all the springs are the same width, so they'll interchange, but I will definitely hit them with a tape measure to verify that. I'm not against drilling holes in the frame's powdercoating, so that's no problem either.

The 7-leaf '67 F250 springs are rated at 6900 lbs, according to the door tag. The 6-leaf setup in the '68 F100 with the helper spring is rated at 5000 lbs, which surprisingly enough is what the current 5-leaf setup with the Flexomatic on my chassis is rated at, according to the door tag. (However, I know the '68 has had a bunch of othe parts replaced, so the 6-leaf setup COULD have been swapped in by a previous owner. How else would you explain the fact that a 5-leaf with Flexomatic would be rated the same as a 6-leaf AND helper spring?)

I guess I just wanted a nice ride when it's empty, but have the ability to haul heavy loads....like more parts trucks! I just know that with my wife's bowtie 3/4-ton pickup, when we're hauling a complete '67-'72 truck home, the back end will still squat down a bit. I guess what I should do is find out what her truck is rated at, and then try to come close to duplicating that.

I don't suppose anybody has any factory info on how the Flexomatic affects GVW capacity?

Here's what I'm thinking I'll be doing: I'm going to use the F250 springs, but remove one (or maybe two) leafs, but then add the helper spring. I'll have to measure to make sure of this, but I believe I can use the F250 springs in conjunction with the '68's Flexomatic. If so, I'll remove two leafs from the F250 spring pack to bring the total to 5 leafs, then add the Flexomatic AND the helper spring. The 5-leaf should give me a nice ride when the truck is empty, and the combination of the Flexomatic and the helper spring should kick in whenever I load the truck down.

[72hiboy4x4]

How about air ride springs? nice ride and adjustable for any load you want. I have a set on my f150 and they work great for those occasional heavy loads.
use a set of springs to have a nice ride when empty, then air up the airbags when you go to load the trailer on.

[FORDification]

Yeah, I was thinking about that too. I guess I was just thinking I'd try this with parts I already had on hand first....and see if I can't save a few bucks that might be applied to other areas of the truck. But I AM considering the airbag route.