yeah im aware of that.... and i assumed that mine was a H145... however a couple of people have thought it might have been changed.... thats why i want to know how to tell visually

Early utes had the H145. It's unknown exactly when they switched to the H165.

There is only 2 visual differences i know.

(1) size, if you see them side by side then its obvious or if you spend lots of time playing with both.

(2) I have noticed (just recently) that the H145 has studs with nuts holding the head/centre in, where as the H165 has bolts holding the head/centre in.

I've been lead to believe that all utes came out with the H165, if yours has a H145 then someone has flogged/robbed it out and replaced it with a H145.

Can't help with the spring question sorry

anyone know how to tell the difference between a H145 and H165 visually?

i have a 76 model ute and a couple of people have said "gee that looks like a 165" or "thats a pretty big diff"

i understand the later model utes had them, although it looks like mine may have been changed as it also has a 4 leaf rear end which isnt standard i believe?