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superduty-list Digest Fri, 03 Nov 2000 Volume: 2000  Issue: 050

In This Issue:
Letters to Santa

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Date: Fri, 03 Nov 2000 18:18:58 -0800
Subject: Re: F-250 SD rear springs [snip]. Kinda long...
From: Dave Santo home.com>

On this date and at this time (10/30/00 3:32 PM), Bill Baker has managed to
string together a selection of syllables into the text quoted below!


> I have exactly this truck, and exactly the same interest in softening
> the unloaded ride.  I trashed my back playing rugby, and when my SD
> starts washboard boppin' on the lovely Caltrans expansion seams, I
> start to regret buying a 4WD SD.
>
> I'm damned sorry to hear the Velvet-Ride shackles and Edelbrocks

Edelbrocks DID improve the ride. Did NOT cut down on the bouncy-ness.

> didn't improve the ride, 'cause that was what I was going to try.
> I've looked at *all* the suspension upgrade options and, really,
> you're only option beyond new shocks and shackles dampeners is an air
> suspension.  Most of the aftermarket air suspensions are just helper
> systems that supplement the leaf springs, which won't help the
> unloaded ride.  You need to go with a ladder bar-type replacement
> system to get the full cushioning of air bags.  Most of the ladder
> bars I saw in the truck magazines looked damned flimsy to me.  The
> exception is the Fleet Ride system
> (http://www.ford-trucks.com//lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://www.fleetcoproducts.com/ford.htm).  Their suspension arm
> looks to be a heavy-duty cast or forged piece (I'm only going by pics
> on their web page).  The complete system (arms, hardware, bags,
> self-leveling air system, etc.) looks really slick, but it's damned
> expensive.  $2,500 for the rear axle alone.  It seems to be designed
> and priced for fleet service.
>
> The other option is the Kelderman helper system
> (http://www.ford-trucks.com//lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://www.keldermanmfg.com/airride.htm).  It replaces the rear leaf
> shackles with a combination air bag/shackle bracket, so that the bag
> is cushions the leaf spring/truck frame interface, so to speak.  And
> it's much cheaper.  If I'm reading their price list correctly a
> complete, self-leveling system for both axles would be about $2,000.

Just today I spoke with Marco at National Spring (619-441-1901) in El Cajon
(near San Diego) and I ordered a new set of spring packs for the rear of my
F-250, Urethane bushings (front & rear) and I'm gonna try Bilstein shocks.
NS was recommending shocks priced at, get this, $240 PER SHOCK! The
"regular" Bilstein shock goes for about $70 each, however, the $240 ones are
rebuildable for life. Not sure whether this means anything or not. I called
Bilstein (in San Diego!) and THEY told me that the $70 ones would be enough.
Hmmmmm?

I read a write-up at:

   http://www.ford-trucks.com//lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://www.findarticles.com/cf_0/m1185/4_34/66110847/p1/article.jhtml

   {An excerpt:

   ...levels the truck from front to rear. Norton said that the kit
   has been designed to increase wheel travel and articulation, and was
   specifically designed with the weight of the front and the rear of the
   Super Duty in mind. National set the suspension up with as low of a
   spring rate as possible because that is where the ride quality is
   affected, and National tries to ensure that it succeeds in striking a
   balance between performance and ride quality. National also recommended
   using Bilstein's patented gas-pressure shocks that National has tuned
   its system to work with.}

about what NS is doing for the F-350 SD's and it really got me interested in
doing this (instead of air). Prior to calling NS I called Mac's Spring, near
San Berdu, and discussed the Fleetco Comfort-Ride Air Suspension. "Mike"
there told me that there might be about a 30-40% reduction in the
"bouncy-ness," but, for someone with a back problem there might NOT be quite
the improvement one would hope. It WOULD be better, but, maybe not to the
degree I would want. Not sure! He was really trying to, sort-of, talk me out
of it, and, in fact, it was he who suggested NS!

I have to weigh my truck FIRST and give Marco another call. Then I have to
talk to engineering and then I have to wait about 5 weeks ("Maybe less," he
said). He said they have a tremendous demand for these. They can do it all
in one day. They keep the spring-rate down to provide an improved ride and
then they build it up and make sure the truck is level. The leafs are
thinner (flexibility!!!), but, more of them. NO DIFFERENCE IN LOAD CARRYING
CAPABILITY.

$640    for the spring packs ($320 apiece) Includes all bolts, U-bolts,
       new urethane bushings, etc.
$ 50    est. sales tax on the springpack set
$250    for the install of the 2 springpacks.
       So, you can get away with only spending about $940.
       Marco said I'd be PLEASED!

Optional

$960    4 Bilstein rebuildable full reservoir gas shocks ($239+ each)
       Take shocks off. Send to Bilstein. Get rebuilt shock back. Didn't
       ask about cost or anything else OR UNDER WARRANTY??? ....

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