2008 F-250 vs F-350 Ride Quality

[drirby]

How much stiffer is the unloaded ride of the '08 F-350 vs the '08 F-250? I have an '08 F-250 and am thinking about having leaf springs added to essentially have an F-350 (I understand the axle, brakes, etc are exactly the same, the only difference being the leaf springs - sound right?) My F-250 FX4 has a payload rating of only 1836 lbs. while an F-350 4x4 with the same 20" wheels is about 3,100. I'm looking to pull a 12,000 pound 5th wheel RV with about 1,900 pound dry hitch pin weight and need more payload. I thought about a Timbren SES kit on the rear but their FAQ's say their rubber spring does not add any additional weight carrying capacity. The Timbren dealer said it would increase payload, but I tend to believe Timbren's website. If the ride isn't too much rougher I thought I would go the leaf spring route.


Thanks!

[lilredpowerstroke]

I know in my sisters truck the ride is so smooth you almost forget youre in a 1-ton dually.

[pierre3737]

I have the 08 f-350 with the camper package etc, the leafs and coils are the same as the 250 but without the helper springs bolted on top. The helpers don't touch unless it is loaded. The 350 has a 4 inch spacer between the axle housing and the leaf package thus the 3 inch difference in ride height. The ride is the same but you do notice the effect that the increased ride height has. The rear axles and diff are not the same as the 250 that's why the carrying capacity is not the same.

Hope this helps

[fordsfinest]

i have 2 friends with '08 f450's, they ride like champs... extremely smooth

[99gt]

i think the axle blocks are also taller on the 350's

[aRibelin]

I have a F250 whereas my brother has a F350, we have both lifted our trucks but with different methods (me-lift kit; him-leveling kit). We spent a good amount of time measuring things before we modified the stock trucks; our findings: the F350 has a heavier spring pack in the rear, both had the same number of springs (excluding the overload spring in the F350) but the F350 spring pack is about 1/2" thicker. The axles appeared to be the same. The F250 had 1 3/4" blocks where the F350 had 3 3/4" blocks.

Our results don't add up though: I installed a ProComp 6" lift kit with replacement radius arms and he installed a Donaho Racing 2 1/2" leveling kit (springs only). We both have 35" tires. Now my truck is only 2" taller than his and now my truck is slightly lower in the rear and his is slightly higher in the rear.

The ride quality was great on both trucks stock and is still very good. My brother says his rides better but it may just be the tires with so much more sidewall.

[drirby]

Thanks for all the replies! Still not sure what I will do - leaf, Timbren, or air.

[Heat]

I'm not sure which specs you've been looking at but the F250 should have no less then 2400 lb payload... If my '06 FX4 didn't have the 10k GVWR it's rated at 2800 lbs in the bed... I tow my 5th wheel, which can weigh 13,880 with no problems... With the 10k GVRW it's closer to 3500 lbs and all that is is the helper spring.... The rear end dips about 1 1/2 to 2 inches when my kingpin weight is about 1900 - 2000 lbs.....

Ken....

[Pukeballs]

Originally Posted by aRibelin

I have a F250 whereas my brother has a F350, we have both lifted our trucks but with different methods (me-lift kit; him-leveling kit). We spent a good amount of time measuring things before we modified the stock trucks; our findings: the F350 has a heavier spring pack in the rear, both had the same number of springs (excluding the overload spring in the F350) but the F350 spring pack is about 1/2" thicker. The axles appeared to be the same. The F250 had 1 3/4" blocks where the F350 had 3 3/4" blocks.

Our results don't add up though: I installed a ProComp 6" lift kit with replacement radius arms and he installed a Donaho Racing 2 1/2" leveling kit (springs only). We both have 35" tires. Now my truck is only 2" taller than his and now my truck is slightly lower in the rear and his is slightly higher in the rear.

The ride quality was great on both trucks stock and is still very good. My brother says his rides better but it may just be the tires with so much more sidewall.

I also have the procomp 6" llift on my '08 f250. I have a question for you though. Does your truck have the stock rear sway bar? Mine does and it hangs down below the rear differential. It looks like it can snag on something if I take it offroad. Is there a way around this, possibly like flipping it around, or do I have to take it off? Any help is appreciated. Heres a pic, you can see the rear sway underneath the truck.

[pierre3737]

That bar is just part of the truck camper package and can be easily removed