[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]

Shocks

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]

level

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]

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



:icon_ford:

 

[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.

 

[vlxjim]

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?

You are right, its for the castor. They are castor bushings. A 2.5" lift is all you can get out of the bushing. After that you need to drop the radius arms or get a 4 link. That is why there is not a lot of 3" kits. If you going to do all of that 4"+ makes more sense.

 

[DSL_PWR]

Fox shocks. Check them out.

 

[kirbybc12]

If I am getting airbags for the rear leafs for pulling a gooseneck, can I use them as a full time rear level instead of getting blocks?

 

[Cratos]

I ordered my 2012 with the 10.000 tow package, camper package and the FX4 so I should have plenty of spring for towing the HT with living qtrs. when we go camping (about 12.000 loaded with horses and stuff.)
My 97 I am replacing had the tow and camper package on and the off road package, and only squats the truck about 3-4 inches when fully loaded
So I hope with the new one dose as well. How will air bags make it ride better empty? I would think it would make it stiffer? Truck won’t be here in till October and I am not a person that weights well

 

[vlxjim]

If I am getting airbags for the rear leafs for pulling a gooseneck, can I use them as a full time rear level instead of getting blocks?

You already have the taller blocks in the rear. So I would run 5-10 psi with no load. If you run more air than that its gonna be a stiff ride. The bad thing about the F350 is that you need to run 75-80 psi in the rear tires. I run 58 psi on all four with no TPMS lights coming on. And my tires are E rated 10 ply with 3750 lbs load rating.

 

[Cratos]

I run 80psi in the 97 when towing but 65-70 the rest of the time .

 

[vlxjim]

I run 80psi in the 97 when towing but 65-70 the rest of the time .

Yea but you don't have the truck telling you that your tires are low. The F250's are set for 65 front and 65 rear. The F350's are set for 65 front and 80 rear.

 

[6.0newb!]

You are right, its for the castor. They are castor bushings. A 2.5" lift is all you can get out of the bushing. After that you need to drop the radius arms or get a 4 link. That is why there is not a lot of 3" kits. If you going to do all of that 4"+ makes more sense.

Thanks for the clarification :thumb:

 

[TrickTruck]

I'm pretty happy with the King shocks I got from SoCal Supertrucks. Casey was very helpful. They are kind of spendy though. Sure do ride nice.

 

[Jointasset]

You are right, its for the castor. They are castor bushings. A 2.5" lift is all you can get out of the bushing. After that you need to drop the radius arms or get a 4 link. That is why there is not a lot of 3" kits. If you going to do all of that 4"+ makes more sense.

Castor bushings seem to be a must if installing a leveling kit. I had a 2" spring level, added bilstein 5100's, changed the steering damper and my f250 rode better than stock until going over an "uneven patch of road". Then it got the shakes and felt like it was going anywhere but down the middle. Just had different castor bushings installed with an alignment and the truck runs great on those uneven surfaces as well. Bottom line- read, read, read this forum to get the most out of your trucks.