Add-A-Leaf / Overload Leaf
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9 ECHO 1
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 12,467
Likes: 58
From: Missouri
Add-A-Leaf / Overload Leaf
I just removed my air bags because I really dont use them all that much anymore and wanted to restore ride quality and regain any articulation I may have lost with the bags being installed. In the picture below I am at full articulation with rubber on all four wheels on the ground. But not enough traction to pull forward. Had to create traction with the ebrake to get moving here.
So now I am left thinking, what if I do need to hook up to a trailer more than a few thousand pounds. I have my factory overload but I dont think they really do much.
I want to keep my "factory" ride quality when I can but have carrying capacity when I need it.
I was thinking maybe replace the overload with something beefier and get a bigger bump stop for the overload to reduce the sag before the overload engages.
Does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations? I dont know diddly about the overload's spring rates or anything, or what would be a good replacement.
So now I am left thinking, what if I do need to hook up to a trailer more than a few thousand pounds. I have my factory overload but I dont think they really do much.
I want to keep my "factory" ride quality when I can but have carrying capacity when I need it.
I was thinking maybe replace the overload with something beefier and get a bigger bump stop for the overload to reduce the sag before the overload engages.
Does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations? I dont know diddly about the overload's spring rates or anything, or what would be a good replacement.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
Timbren. Basically a hollow thick rubber bump stop that touches when you are loaded. Not that expensive either.
Home - Timbren Industries Inc. Ride Control Products
Home - Timbren Industries Inc. Ride Control Products
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,447
Likes: 70
From: South Jersey
i had a local spring shop make me a long add a leaf for my stock leaf pack. It gave me about 3/4" of lift and a total of 800lbs of payload. I prefer the very slight increase in ride stiffness and my truck still flex's like stock and i believe the payload and squat while loaded is how Ford should have made these trucks. Being car like soft from the factory to please grocery getters is not my bag of tea, i bought a F350 for a reason to use it like a truck not drive around and tell people "yea i have chipped turbo diesel Ford lifted six inches" o thats nice what do you haul and tow? "um.........nothing"
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Joined: May 2013
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You may want to consider for significantly better drivability while towing and hauling the StableLoad suspension upgrade product. Many people, even some emergency vehicles, use these for stability and handling. It will pre-activate your factory leaf spring and reduce sway and sag. It is easy to install, and you can disengage in seconds when not towing putting your factory suspension back to your stock ride.
StableLoads
Here're some FTE links for in use reviews:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/12...d-install.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/12...ableloads.html
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StableLoads
Here're some FTE links for in use reviews:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/12...d-install.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/12...ableloads.html
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Torklift International – Towing, Suspension, Tie Downs, Steps
Call me direct: 1-800-246-8132
Visit our Blog: http://www.torklift.com/blog
Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 13,710
Likes: 5
From: Manchester, CT
i had a local spring shop make me a long add a leaf for my stock leaf pack. It gave me about 3/4" of lift and a total of 800lbs of payload. I prefer the very slight increase in ride stiffness and my truck still flex's like stock and i believe the payload and squat while loaded is how Ford should have made these trucks. Being car like soft from the factory to please grocery getters is not my bag of tea, i bought a F350 for a reason to use it like a truck not drive around and tell people "yea i have chipped turbo diesel Ford lifted six inches" o thats nice what do you haul and tow? "um.........nothing"
Thread Starter
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9 ECHO 1
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 12,467
Likes: 58
From: Missouri
You may want to consider for significantly better drivability while towing and hauling the StableLoad suspension upgrade product. Many people, even some emergency vehicles, use these for stability and handling. It will pre-activate your factory leaf spring and reduce sway and sag. It is easy to install, and you can disengage in seconds when not towing putting your factory suspension back to your stock ride.
StableLoads
Here're some FTE links for in use reviews:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/12...d-install.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/12...ableloads.html
disengaged
engaged
StableLoads
Here're some FTE links for in use reviews:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/12...d-install.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/12...ableloads.html
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Thread Starter
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9 ECHO 1
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 12,467
Likes: 58
From: Missouri
I use my truck to "truck" plenty. I just dont need full-time air bag suspension. But thanks for your sarcastic input. Its appreciated
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,098
Likes: 136
I have these stable loads and the overload is most certainly on the bottom of the leaf pack for me. The upper really arched spring that is on its own is a stabilizing spring. The bottom one for me is an almost straight thick spring vs the arched main pack. If you don't have that leaf then you may in fact not have overloads. Again from what I have come to understand is those are stabilizing springs on the top to help control body roll in the rear when loaded or having a slide in camper.
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Joined: May 2013
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For a suspension upgrade with factory upper contact overloads, the StableLoad #A7200 product would be the application.
I wanted to pass on info for that set-up, too.
It is designed to replace the smaller, inefficient factory overload bump stop pads, putting the upper overload springs to work sooner dramatically stabilizing the vehicles suspension. Like the Quick Disconnect StableLoad product for the lower overload leaf springs, the upper overload application is a no drill installation with serious improvement results.
StableLoad
I wanted to pass on info for that set-up, too.
It is designed to replace the smaller, inefficient factory overload bump stop pads, putting the upper overload springs to work sooner dramatically stabilizing the vehicles suspension. Like the Quick Disconnect StableLoad product for the lower overload leaf springs, the upper overload application is a no drill installation with serious improvement results.
StableLoad
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Torklift International – Towing, Suspension, Tie Downs, Steps
Call me direct: 1-800-246-8132
Visit our Blog: http://www.torklift.com/blog
Torklift International – Towing, Suspension, Tie Downs, Steps
Call me direct: 1-800-246-8132
Visit our Blog: http://www.torklift.com/blog
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,447
Likes: 70
From: South Jersey
did i write something wrong? I just said i had a shop make me a rear long add a leaf to increase my payload and it didnt effect the empty ride almost none at all, i never had air bags so i cant say anything about them. The part about car like ride was my own thoughts about Fords soft sprung Super Duty trucks, i didnt mean you or anybody else in that statement...........
And if i can find my old thread id show you how well my truck flexs with procomp diesel level springs and my rear add a leaf but i cant find it anywhere in the search funtion for some reason
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