Harald,

Great advice, and the timing is perfect. I'm just about to order the Rancho 9000 Shocks, and your suggestion clinches the decision. I thought I'd try just the rear shocks first, then if that shows a big difference, I'd try the fronts and maybe later the Velvet Ride shackles...Best price I've found so far through the Net is from Summit Racing at $83.99 a piece. NAPA has them locally for $93.83 plus our 'World Class' Sales tax! The 'Buy 3, get 4' Rancho special seems to be over for this year (now the special is a 'mechanics glove pair'). I wonder if anyone reading this post knows of a current better offer? When you put on the shocks, were they flexible enough to manipulate between the mounts, or did you need to use a jack to adjust them to fit? Did the stock shocks release any pressure when you removed them? Thanks for the help!

Cwb,

Can you recommend a rating or type of coil spring and manufacturer, which might improve the ride? I like the suggestion about the Honda in the bed!

 

Just installed the Ranchos...Decided to do all four at once, and soaked the mounts for a couple of days with WD-40. With so much room for access, the job was very easy. Sam's Offroad had the lowest price at $69.95, but couldn't get them to me from Oklahoma for more than a week. Summit Racing beat the Sam's price by $1 a shock ($68.95), but wouldn't waive the $8.45 per order handling fee. Even though they came out higher in the end, Summit could ship to me from Nevada, taking only two days, so I went with them. All four shocks are dialed in at #1 valve setting, and the ride is definitely 'softer'. Tire pressure is now 45 in the front and 35 in the back. Maybe a 5% softer ride from the tires, and a 25% softer ride from the new Ranchos over the stock shocks. Still getting that hopping from the back end even on relatively 'smooth' roads...Had about 500 lbs payload, plus the 275 lb Canopy yesterday, and that weight made a definite improvement. Sure would like to put on about 1500 lbs and see what that is like; maybe a yard and a half of topsoil. Cheaper than testing with a new Truck Camper! Maybe the Velvet Ride shackles should be next. I wonder if they would help that rear hopping?

 

Southern Dually,
The company I work for just started building F450/550 's for Ford (making beds and installing them that is). One of our options is a rear air ride system, I just installed a system from Reyco Granning on a 4x4 550 and it rides better than some cars I've owned. The system is a little expensive but I am completely impressed with it in all regards. Let me know if you'd like some more info.

 

I installed a set of Velvet Ride Shackles on either an '88 or '92 F250. I don't remember any of the details as to cost or source. It was a fairly easy installation and the improvement in the ride was substantial.

Chuck

 

try larger tires and lower air pressure

 

I'd add that I have Firestone airbags in the rear with Rancho 9000's all the way around. With the air bags set at 20 pounds and the Ranchos set at 1, the truck rides much better empty on our wonderful washboard dirt roads than the truck ever rode stock. There is NO jarring action at all...nice and smooth. When I load it up and set the shocks at 9 and pump the airbags to 90 pounds, the truck is absolutely stable and sits like it is empty, and that's with over 5000 pounds in the bed.

 

Barney425

Do you know if your air ride systems fit SRW F-250's & 350's?

Thanks

 

Barney...

Mine are on a F350 and I am sure they have them to fit the F250...they are really worth the cost and the ride is great...BUT the largest improvement in ride came with the Rancho RS9000X shocks. At the lowest setting, when the truck is empty, it rides as comfortable as a car...amazing difference over stock shocks and dollar-for-dollar ($274 for four) the biggest improvement in ride I have ever experienced in a light truck...

 

Mizzitch,
I know the company makes a system for 250 and 350's. Here's the number I have for them. It may not be the number for sales but I'm sure they can give you the one you need. 219-279-3288.

 

There's a model specifically for 5th wheel use on the SuperDuty. I recently
installed a set on my 2004 PS F350 (with the 4" blocks removed):

https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...oid=94497&.jpg

These are saddled on the axle, with an upper bracket bolted to the frame.
Work great! - when not pulling a 5th, I can get most of my stock 4" lift back.

 

I talked to them, but they do not have anything that directly fits the F-250 trucks. The one for the 450/550's can be modified, but for $3500 I would want a kit that fits directly. I'm checking with Kelderman too.

 

I put a set on my Astrovan and the ride has improved ! I recommend them !

 

the reyco granning air ride systems seem a bit overkill at 25000 lbs
per axle - these seem to be ideal for big rig 18 wheelers :-)

ride rite should fit your 1999 F250 at quite affordable cost.

go to http://www.ride-rite.com/ and click on 'news flash' on the right. and indicated there is what I put on my F350:

1999-2004 Ford F-250 & F-350 equipped with fifth wheel and gooseneck hitches

part number 2330 is designed not to interfere with the 5th wheel brackets,
and is no drill, with 5000 lb load capacity

 

Yes, but this will not help ride quality - it will allow the truck to carry weight w/o sagging. I am looking for a remove the leafs and replace with air ride system.

 

Could you tell me where you purchased the Velvet Rides? I've been looking for these and havent been able to find it for my f-350 dually.
Thanks