I posted a message about this in the suspension category but got only one response so I hope a few more people see it here. I recently purchased a 2000 F350 crewcab 4x4 SRW with a V10 and after driving it home I am concerned about how it rides on a heaved up road. It seems like the back tires come off the ground when it hits the sharp ruts from the ground heaving under the pavement. It doesn't have overload springs (which wouldn't matter anyway because they only make contact under a heavy load) or airbags or anything. I am going to try a new set of shocks this week to see if I can alleviate this ride issue. My wife hasn't ridden in it yet and I don't want to see her reaction if she does ! I just sold a '95 F350 crewcab 4x4 that was set up with overloads and it did NOT ride this way. I am wondering if anyone else has had this issue on a '99 & up F350 SRW. Thanks!

 

Mine does not do that and we have some pretty rough roads around here, are you sure they are coming off the ground if you stay on the gas can you feel the tires break loose. I am not saying it can't happen I use to have a 91 3/4 ton dodge cummins that road like a tank and it would do that. I would check that u bolts are tight, bushings in the springs are good and that the shock mounts are not oveled out when you replace the shocks. It may just be this truck is just different than your other one (more heavy duty) I just put 4 new shocks on my 99 F-350 and it is a far cry from a smooth ride but I bought it to pull my 28ft goose neck with a load not go to the grocery store. I hope you track down the problem somebody on here will chime in and have better info than me good luck and congats on the new truck.

 

Put some air bags on it. Keep the wife happy.

 

Another idea would be to drop your air pressure down to 50. Do a chalk test on your tires to see if the tread is even. The pressure they run in these trucks today is really high. You need that when you are towing even though I run mine a little below max.

 

Replace the shocks it well help but on a washboard road you will still get some hop in the back unless you have a load in the back.

Denny

 

Yep, I checked the tire pressure and I lowered it to 40 psi. It helped a little but not a lot. Thanks!

 

Yep they are coming off the ground for sure because when I have the cruise set and go through one of these ruts the engine changes pitch and for a millisecond it will chirp the tires .

 

Maybe it's just me but isn't 40 psi a little light for a heavy truck? Change the shocks and add some weight that should help the ride better. Also maybe someone changed the rear leafs with something a little beefier. That's what I did to my trucks when I changed the leafs but I carry weight all the time.

 

If it has a tow package on it it will have heavier springs and shocks-Mine does. If you want it to have a super ride you will need to install air system.

 

Somethings not correct! My 2000 F350 (IMO) rides smooth for a 1 ton truck. It rides firm but smooth...it rides smoother then my 2010 F150 XLT. I know that sounds crazy, but it's true. Keep digging into the problem, you'll find it. I run tire pressure 45-50 when not towing. Keep digging, you'll find the problem. Shocks would be the next step IMO.

 

It needs shocks. What happens is the wheel is moving up and continuing to move after the bump so it comes off the ground.

If you are going to be running a lot of variation between loaded and empty, you might want to get an adjustable shock like the Rancho RS9000X or whatever they are called now.

But I bet if you pull the current shocks, they are shot.

 

My 03 F-350 rides like a lumber wagon and it has rancho shocks from the factory. Im gonna change them out for a shock with a softer ride.