F-350 Questions

[ctracy5]

Hey guys, especially Ford/full sized truck guys

We have a 2000 F-350 7.3 Diesel at work and the rear leaf springs are dead, every time we hook our dump trailer up the rear now drops about 2-3 inches, unlike before if the trailer was empty it would ride level. Looking to fix / upgrade the suspension. It has a 3" block lift, not my favorite way to lift but it was cheap and my boss didn't know any better lol, on it now and would like to keep that height or similar. The truck looks great at that height with 35"s. Anyways on to the questions, so here are the options I have found so far

1. Helper / Super springs in the rear to raise/help the sagging springs $300 - $400

2. Rough Country 4" lift with all new leaf springs front and rear - $1300 ish, depends on what shocks and stuff you get

3. Skyjacker 4" lift kit, with all new leaves and shocks etc. $1600-$2000 ish

These are the only lifts I have found under 6" that replace the rear springs, most only replace the front and block the rear thus defeating the purpose of fixing the sagging rear springs.

I have heard not bad but not so good things about rough country, mostly about the shocks, but keep in mind this truck is only for work and never really off-roads the lift is solely for looks. We want something that will keep the rear level and provide decent road manner in the 3 - 4" range.

I guess we could just replace the leaf packs but I figure with for the time and money why not renew the entire suspension. It does have nearly 250,000 on the truck so I thought it was a good time to just replace everything.

[Tom]

Welcome. Weston or Jones passes are easy.

[ctracy5]

Welcome. Weston or Jones passes are easy.

Hey Tom I think you are on the wrong post, but thanks for the advice lol:lmao:.

[Squshiee1]

Lol Tom!

What about air bags?
http://www.suspensionconnection.com/cgi-bin/suscon/view-cat/ford/f350?category=air%20lift%20air%20bags

[ctracy5]

Lol Tom!

What about air bags?
http://www.suspensionconnection.com/cgi-bin/suscon/view-cat/ford/f350?category=air%20lift%20air%20bags

I've thought about it but like the helper springs I feel like its just putting a band-aid on it but doesn't fix the real problem of the worn out springs.

Does anyone have experience with using airbangs or helper springs to rejuniate sagging springs. I have put them on trucks with good springs to improve towing but I have never tried them on a truck with sagging springs.

[Rick]

1. Helper / Super springs in the rear to raise/help the sagging springs $300 - $400Budget truck Iwould go that route... Hellwig makes a good kit

[ctracy5]

Budget truck Iwould go that route... Hellwig makes a good kit

are they a real fix to the worn springs or just a temp fix? guess I should have asked they earlier, that was the only reason why I was looking into full kits because I didn't know if the helpers would actually fix the problem.

Another note, this truck is also my bosses DD so ride quality is important
I do like the $300 price but if the full kit would be a better route we can come up with the money.

[Rick]

Another note, this truck is also my bosses DD so ride quality is important
I do like the $300 price but if the full kit would be a better route we can come up with the money.IMO if you think it has alot life still in it I would put in new springs. Thats just me,I dont like to 1/2 ass stuff but if you just need to give it some help go Helpers....

[Rick]

are they a real fix to the worn springs or just a temp fix?thet are not a fix they are a helper

[ctracy5]

Thanks guys, I think I got an idea now, I need to talk to Jeremy and see. We really like this truck but anything with 250,000 on needs help, namely a new tranny in the near future, so I can tell him that if he want to keep the truck then to do the full kit but if he is looking to get a new truck soon to just go helpers. I think I would keep the truck just for the 7.3 alone, the newer ford diesel are junk and over priced. Every contractor I have talked to have said the worst mistake they have made was to trade in their 7.3s for a newer truck.

Any opinions on either the skyjacker or the rough country kits, pro/cons.

[Rick]

just my opinion but your welcome....

[Squshiee1]

my uncle installed airbags on his f350 because he wa hauling a 20,000lb loaded toy hauler. It was definitely a good fix for the sagging truck. It does keep the truck level, he has a controller for it too so that the truck only uses the airbags when loaded.

[ctracy5]

just my opinion but your welcome....

I hate to 1/2 a$$ stuff as well, I would hate to put $300 in right now only to have the same problem a year from now. Does anyone know if you can put helper springs on lift spring packs???

[mattzj98]

replace springs, install airbags. problem solved for good

[Chris]

Hey Tom I think you are on the wrong post, but thanks for the advice lol:lmao:.

Tom gets a pass that only comes with age! :brody:

[Rick]

I hate to 1/2 a$$ stuff as well, I would hate to put $300 in right now only to have the same problem a year from now. Does anyone know if you can put helper springs on lift spring packs???a year from now??? I would go with the new stuff... I wouldnt do helpers on spring packs....again just my opinion

[Tom]

Tom gets a pass that only comes with age! :brody:
My Kindle was acting flakey. Sorry out that

[Rick]

replace springs, install airbags. problem solved for good
This^

[ctracy5]

This^
Yeah so far that is where I my thoughts are heading, I need to price out new OEM springs, if it is going to be the same or close to price as a new kit that replace all four springs I think the kit will happen.

Definitely OEM unless anyone has good alternatives.

[CS79bronco]

I've heard from a couple guys who used Super-duties hard that the leaves tend to crack. That may be the reason for the sag. It only takes one leaf to cause a big loss of strength in a pack. I would check those springs very closely for cracks before deciding on a plan of action.

[Hypoid]

Definitely OEM unless anyone has good alternatives.Check with Denver Spring, and Midwest Truck Parts. They are shops that specialize in springs and suspension.

[carpenle]

I think I would keep the truck just for the 7.3 alone,

Me too :thumb:
I do know that factory Ford leaf springs are not the best. I had a 99 and ended up breaking a leaf. We use it as a work truck and it does not have a lift on it, so I just replaced the leafs. I did some research and found a aftermarket spring that is suppose to hold up better. It has been 6 years and they have held up, but I do not remember the company that I got them from.

[carpenle]

Denver Spring

Sounds familiar, might be the ones I have.

[xaza]

How long since the lift was put on the truck? The front springs likely were replaced and you could just replace the rear with a stock height and leave block in there. IMO that is the cheapest permanent fix. Next one would be replace rear springs with a lift spring.

[Fordguy77]

Personally, I would just order the proper height rear lift springs from skyjacker, or another reputable source. Gets rid of the blocks and replaces the springs for a fraction of the price of a lift.

[ctracy5]

How long since the lift was put on the truck? The front springs likely were replaced and you could just replace the rear with a stock height and leave block in there. IMO that is the cheapest permanent fix. Next one would be replace rear springs with a lift spring.

It was like 6 years or more ago that the lift was put on. He doesn't really know what all got replaced, he is not big time car guy, just got something from Les Schwab in Utah for a better looking stance. The biggest problem I am running into is if he got a full lift or just a leveling kit that only raises the front, which is what I think it is. But I think for know we are planning on just replacing the springs because I found that on the passenger side rear leaf pack one of the individual leafs is broken and missing the last 6" or so and needs to replaced. But if he wants this truck for awhile I found this kit which I really like

http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/suspension-air-bags/firestone-r4tech

Check out the video it is pretty sweet, but at nearly $2000 a little price, but where we tow 16,000lbs or more on a regular basis would be nice to have this. I like how they soften up the ride when not under load.

[ctracy5]

Personally, I would just order the proper height rear lift springs from skyjacker, or another reputable source. Gets rid of the blocks and replaces the springs for a fraction of the price of a lift.

Would lift springs lower our towing capacity??? I know that the big lifts do but now sure, and non of the manufactures address this....granted I haven't asked them either.

[gm4x4lover]

If it only has one block it sounds like it was leveled. The f350 srw came with a factory 4" block that has a horn sticking out of the side for the bump stop. Comon practice for these trucks is to stick a second block under the first when they get lifted. If its a drw it should only have a 2"block. Since it sounds like it was just leveled air bags are by far the best choice. Bags are far from a bandaid, and I think most one tons shoild come with them from the factory. The truck will look better, ride better, and tow better.