Sorry if this shows up in someone's search, but I can't find an adequate answer anywhere. I spent last weekend putting new napa ball joints and tierod ends, and bilstein shocks (blue and yellow) on my 99 f350 2wd.

I was hoping this would cure my TERRIBLE ride, but it hasn't. I understand a 1 ton truck will be no caddy, but bumps are bone jarring no matter the speed. So, how do I fix it? New coil springs? Those airbags that slide inside the coils?

I think perhaps my front springs are just worn out. She's only got 85k miles, but a steep rake. I dont mind the rake, and definately prefer it to nose high. Is holding up a v10 for 16 years enough to kill the springs? That what ails me? Since 90% of my driving is highway unloaded, I have to do something. Thoughts?

 

Before you go crazy try lubing the suspension. I use a 50-50 mix of wd-40 and tranny fluid in a spray bottle, but white lithium or similar should work.

Spray all the articulation points. Shock bushings, control arm bushings, leaf springs, etc.

Helped my ride substantially, and my truck was new. Improvement came about 50 miles after lubrication.

 

Is the truck high in the rear or high in the front? Does it seem like either one is sagging?

 

NY that almost sounds like a joke haha. I assume it just lubes the rubber pivot points?

ATS, the rear end sits tall while the front end is real low.



Been awhile since I've posted a picture but I think this one best shows the rake.

 

Ahhh gotch ya. I read your post incorrectly. I was going to say, if the rear is so low that the front is higher than something wrong was going on in the rear.

 

If you have 90 psi in the tires, it will ride like this. Do a chalk test and/or run about 50 psi in the rears when unloaded. I would always run 60 or more in the fronts, due to the way they wear and the fact that they perform the steering function. Nonetheless, it will ride like a 1 ton truck - because that's what it is.

 

I replaced my shocks with Monroe's and they definitely helped. I have heard that the Bilsteins can be very firm.

My Ranger rode like crap because of bad cab mounts. The rubber was dry rotted and made the cab movable. The cab would bottom out on the bushing mounts over all sorts of bumps.

Perhaps check you door tag for the spring code and see what the truck left the factory with.

 

Tire pressure is 55 psi all way around. The problem is that it doesn't ride like a 1 ton truck, let alone a 2wd. My FIL's 96 f350 dually is like sitting on a cloud in comparison.

I read everywhere that bilsteins would be a dramatic improvement, but there is little difference from the old stock shocks. Never thought of cab mounts, but couldn't imagine they'd make it that bad. I'll have to look and see if they're toast.

 

could convert to coil overs on front, hear guys rave about the ride, but its a spendy upgrade

 

Aren't those only with a lift?

I just want to know are my coil springs shot? If so, will new ones (maybe excursion springs) make it ride nicer? Something like the air bags inside the coils are cheaper, will they make it ride nice?

 

In regards to the air bags, they will make your front springs even stiffer. Airbags would work really well with soft coil springs. You would firm the bags up when you load the truck down.

A setup like this would help: https://kelderman.com/ford_super_dut...air_suspension

 

The Kelderman kit would be great... but I'm thinking something a bit cheaper.

 

Ha! No joke. Night & Day difference on my truck. I lubed everything, so not sure what the magic bullet was. Something was binding up though. After lubing the suspension seemed to articulate much smoother. Leaf springs, shackles, all of it. It's cheap. Try it.

 

How low is it riding? Are you smacking the jounce bumpers up front when you hit a bump? If so your coil springs may be worn out.

 

So I looked and there's only about 1 to 1.5 in. Clearance to the bump stops. Are my springs worn out? It's my understanding that the bump stops are supposed to be used more often on these trucks, can they be replaced with softer ones? Or are new springs in order?