2012 Shock Upgrade?

[kirbybc12]

Okay so I'm not a big suspension modification kind of person but I got my 2012 SRW last month and I absolutely HATE this thing over bumps. I have an FX4, but for an offroading package this is the stiffest suspension I have ever felt. Will upgrading my shocks help the ride? I was thinking Bilsteins but I was hoping for something more cost effective, I don't want to have to spend $1,200 on a $60k truck it should be perfect. I have a tuff country front leveling kit I never used on my '05 with gas shocks and I was wondering if they're any good and should I buy leafs for the back to level it out.

[Jointasset]

I was in the same boat. Went with a 2" coil level, 5100 bilsteins all the way around, and a bilstein 5100 steering damper. Rides a lot better than stock for sure. Sucked doing at 350 miles on my truck but it was worth every penney. Good luck with whatever you choose.

[jrod350]

what kinda coils did you use

[kirbybc12]

I found bilsteins for really good prices. $85 apiece on summit racing and another $85 for the stabilizer. What particular coils to go with to raise it? I doubt the tuff country kit now is any good. I want to try calling summit and see if they'll offer me a package deal for a full leveling kit and the bilsteins.

[vlxjim]

Remember that those shocks are sold for stock or 2" lift. So if your doing the lift make sure that you get the right shocks. You don't want to do the lift level and use shock spacers. That being said the right way to do it would be to do a spring lift level (replacing the stock springs with 2.5" longer, progressive rate springs) Doing it this way you get a true 50% increase in travel. The stock travel is a pathetic 5". With the new springs 7.5" of travel. Icon or Top Gun have progressive rate springs.

[kirbybc12]

Originally Posted by vlxjim

Remember that those shocks are sold for stock or 2" lift. So if your doing the lift make sure that you get the right shocks. You don't want to do the lift level and use shock spacers. That being said the right way to do it would be to do a spring lift level (replacing the stock springs with 2.5" longer, progressive rate springs) Doing it this way you get a true 50% increase in travel. The stock travel is a pathetic 5". With the new springs 7.5" of travel. Icon or Top Gun have progressive rate springs.

So you're saying to use different parts for leveling it? What about the rear? Just an add a leaf kit?

[vlxjim]

I'm just saying progressive rate springs are much better than the coil spacer. Now the coil spacer cost less but whats a few hundred more to do it right. With the F350 you can leave the rear as is or use a 4" or 5" rear block. Or you can add a 1" spacer with the stock blocks.





ICON 2005 - Current Ford Super Duty 2.5" Stage 1 System - 62500



ICON 191200 - 1" Billet Aluminum Lift Block Kit



ICON 194275 4" Fabricated Blocks w/ Built in Bump Stop



2.5" 2011+ Ford SuperDuty F250/F350 Diesel Lift Coil Springs

[kirbybc12]

Thanks for putting up with all the questions lol. Just raising the front won't make the ride uneven in the rear? I'd probably only get the one inch blocks for the rear, or would air bags work if I'm pulling a 2 horse gooseneck? I'd want an adjustable ride height to keep the stance even while pulling as opposed to just during regular ride.

[6.0newb!]

Sorry for the newb question, but what are those collars for? I've noticed them in lots of kits, just never known what they do. Is it for the caster on the axle?

[vlxjim]

A lot of guys here as well as Icon run the front springs and leave the rear stock on the F350's. The F250 comes with 2" rear blocks and the F350 comes with 3.5' blocks. I run 4" blocks with stock leaf springs as most of the F250's here. Air bags are a very nice add on I'm thinking of adding them to my F250. Your ride should be better than stock. The guys on here as well as I all like the ride better. There are a few that have changed out the rear leaf spring with others an say its the best thing they ever did. And on these trucks you can't do to much about spring rates, you can go up, but for the most part you want just enough to handle the load rating of the truck. If you talk to the guys that tune and design the suspension for these 3/4 ton trucks. They all say were just trying to control 9000 lbs of trucks and theres not a lot to work with.