truck sag. Air bag questions

[bunique]

new to everything. Have had a 2003 f250 6.0 for about 4 months now. Bought from Ford dealership ( hate the techs where I live, MN ) bought with 98,xxx on it, curently have 111,xxx. Long story short. Found out my truck use to a cement truck, and I use it for plowing/towing lawn equip. The other day i noticed my truck was leaningto the left and the back was sagging, Whenever I put any sort of load on my trailor package ( 800 lbs or heavier it sags bad ). Thinking about buying Firestone Airbags to fix the problem. My question is do I need to replace the leaf springs in the rear before I install the airbags? And will the bags fix the lean I have?

[Karls03]

Sounds like it was riden pretty hard. If you had independent schrader valves for air, bags should straighten you out.

However, I have to say that bags would only be a band aid. You either need new bushings in the leafs and shackles and/or new leaf springs. Since bushings should be the least money, I'd start there.

sent from a dumb guy with a smart phone

[bunique]

I forgot to say... I've checked the springs out numerous of times ( not knowing anything about them ) no broken/missing springs nothing seems to be missing... Friends are saying truck has leveling kit? but I see nothing beside stock suspension. Dumb question but how many springs come on stock f250? front and back, and is it worth the 95 dollar inspection from ford, for them to give me their two sense on whats going on? Or just replace the whole thing. Getting really sick of my truck looking like a low rider!

thanks kollin

[1BADTON]

Not sure how many are in your packs? But if you have a spring shop around they can COLD roll the arch right back in them and a bit more too level out the truck. BUT if the truck was used hard and put away loaded, then your springs have definetly lost there memory. New ones would be in order/can you say small lift Do NOT! i repeat DO NOT! go back to the dealership they will try and sell you overpriced stock springs. And they all probably get there spring from National spring company.Hope this info helps.

[bunique]

sweet thanks for the info guys! Once I find a shop, will the air bags help with future problems?

[1BADTON]

Yes but like Karls03 said separate schrader valves for sure.

[Karls03]

Up front, a stock 03 should only have 2 leafs on each side. While re-arching is an option, I don't know how long it would last. As in how long before it flattens out again. It would certainly be something to ask whoever is rearching them.

sent from a dumb guy with a smart phone

[JSchuricht]

If you do replace the springs, get them from a Ford dealer. The aftermarket ones arn't progressive like the factory ones and your ride will suffer.