Smoother Ride
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Glen Flora USA
Smoother Ride
I have a 88 F-150 4X4 With a 300-6 in it. It had the quad shock front end and to what I believe a add a leaf in the back. I no longer haul or go off roading with it. The truck is only going to be for winter driving. (I have a 94 SHO with 40,000 miles on it, it only sees summer) I can feel every bump in the road, if I remove one of the front shocks on each side and the add a leaf in the back would that help or should I find some front coils out of a Lariat or something??
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,017
Likes: 2
From: Southeast FLA
Smoother Ride
I don't see anything wrong with the removal idea.
I do question the adding-a-leaf idea to making it ride smoother though. (?)
Subtract a leaf from each of the sides on the rear (if you could do it) would allow the rear to flex more over bumps. It would decrease your load carrying capacity, and maybe make the rear sit a little lower, but I think it's what you're looking for.
I do question the adding-a-leaf idea to making it ride smoother though. (?)
Subtract a leaf from each of the sides on the rear (if you could do it) would allow the rear to flex more over bumps. It would decrease your load carrying capacity, and maybe make the rear sit a little lower, but I think it's what you're looking for.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
Smoother Ride
>I have a 88 F-150 4X4 With a 300-6 in it. It had the quad
>shock front end and to what I believe a add a leaf in the
>back. I no longer haul or go off roading with it. The truck
>is only going to be for winter driving. (I have a 94 SHO
>with 40,000 miles on it, it only sees summer) I can feel
>every bump in the road, if I remove one of the front shocks
>on each side and the add a leaf in the back would that help
>or should I find some front coils out of a Lariat or
>something??
Now that I re-read his post, I think he was already suggesting removing the add-a-leaf.
>shock front end and to what I believe a add a leaf in the
>back. I no longer haul or go off roading with it. The truck
>is only going to be for winter driving. (I have a 94 SHO
>with 40,000 miles on it, it only sees summer) I can feel
>every bump in the road, if I remove one of the front shocks
>on each side and the add a leaf in the back would that help
>or should I find some front coils out of a Lariat or
>something??
Now that I re-read his post, I think he was already suggesting removing the add-a-leaf.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 3
From: Bismarck, ND
Smoother Ride
I haven't tried them, but I've seen the flexible-type leaf spring shackles advertised. A magazine or two has spoken highly of them, and they're reported to improve ride quality. The last time I was in NAPA, I thought they carried them. Just another thought for the rear end.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: Idaho
Smoother Ride
>I haven't tried them, but I've seen the flexible-type leaf
>spring shackles advertised. A magazine or two has spoken
>highly of them, and they're reported to improve ride
>quality.
They are Velvet Ride Shackles, I have a set on my Centurion and it makes a BIG difference. You might try just removing the overload spring first and then go with the shackles if it still not smooth enough for you.
1989 Centurion Classic Bronco
[link:groups.yahoo.com/group/centurionconversions/|https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=3476&.jpg]<-< Centurion Club
1979 Bronco XLT
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=3923&.jpg
>spring shackles advertised. A magazine or two has spoken
>highly of them, and they're reported to improve ride
>quality.
They are Velvet Ride Shackles, I have a set on my Centurion and it makes a BIG difference. You might try just removing the overload spring first and then go with the shackles if it still not smooth enough for you.
1989 Centurion Classic Bronco
[link:groups.yahoo.com/group/centurionconversions/|https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=3476&.jpg]<-< Centurion Club
1979 Bronco XLT
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=3923&.jpg
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,017
Likes: 2
From: Southeast FLA
Smoother Ride
Dang, JW 4x4, I re-read that twice before posting and didn't catch that. I think you're right - he'll be removing the add-a-leaf.
Oh well.
Oh well.
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
Smoother Ride
About how much were the velvet ride shacles that you got, and where? Did you install them with a lifted spring or blocks. ( I noticed in your gallery, the truck looks lifted) Nice looking Centurion. Where did you get the 200 amp alternator.
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Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: Idaho
Smoother Ride
>About how much were the velvet ride shacles that you got,
>and where?
They were about $90 at the time (price has gone up),
Dick Cepic- Las Vegas
Did you install them with a lifted spring or
>blocks. ( I noticed in your gallery, the truck looks lifted)
Stock suspension, F-350 re-arched front and 3" block.
>Nice looking Centurion.
THANKS!
>Where did you get the 200 amp
>alternator.
The Mechanical Man
www.mechman.com
has a 200 amp Cold rated alternator. Not cheap, but it's only money.(spend all you want,you'll make more!)
1989 Centurion Classic Bronco
[link:groups.yahoo.com/group/centurionconversions/|https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=3476&.jpg]<-< Centurion Club
1979 Bronco XLT
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=3923&.jpg
>and where?
They were about $90 at the time (price has gone up),
Dick Cepic- Las Vegas
Did you install them with a lifted spring or
>blocks. ( I noticed in your gallery, the truck looks lifted)
Stock suspension, F-350 re-arched front and 3" block.
>Nice looking Centurion.
THANKS!
>Where did you get the 200 amp
>alternator.
The Mechanical Man
www.mechman.com
has a 200 amp Cold rated alternator. Not cheap, but it's only money.(spend all you want,you'll make more!)
1989 Centurion Classic Bronco
[link:groups.yahoo.com/group/centurionconversions/|https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=3476&.jpg]<-< Centurion Club
1979 Bronco XLT
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=3923&.jpg
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: Idaho
Smoother Ride
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 24-Apr-02 AT 09:19 AM (EST)]Here is a picture of one installed on my Centurion.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=4056&.jpg
1989 Centurion Classic Bronco
[link:groups.yahoo.com/group/centurionconversions/|https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=3476&.jpg]<-< Centurion Club
1979 Bronco XLT
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=3923&.jpg
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=4056&.jpg
1989 Centurion Classic Bronco
[link:groups.yahoo.com/group/centurionconversions/|https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=3476&.jpg]<-< Centurion Club
1979 Bronco XLT
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=3923&.jpg
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: Idaho
Smoother Ride
The way they are designed, without a load, the Velvet Ride acts like an old knee type shock. When you load up the truck the shackle "collapses" and the stock springs take over. The ride height doesn't change when this happens so the back end isn't going to drag or anything.
Once I installed mine and drove it around about 3 weeks the back end settled about 1/4" to 1/2" which basically just brought the truck level.
It's an easy job if you have access to a lift, but even without it, it should be O.K. Follow the included instructions and warnings, it's amazing how loud a spring is when it slaps the bottom of the bed
.
Any local shop should be able to do the install for about $75-$80 depending on how rusted the upper shackle bolts are. I replaced mine.
Hope this helps.
1989 Centurion Classic Bronco
[link:groups.yahoo.com/group/centurionconversions/|https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=3476&.jpg]<-< Centurion Club
1979 Bronco XLT
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=3923&.jpg
Once I installed mine and drove it around about 3 weeks the back end settled about 1/4" to 1/2" which basically just brought the truck level.
It's an easy job if you have access to a lift, but even without it, it should be O.K. Follow the included instructions and warnings, it's amazing how loud a spring is when it slaps the bottom of the bed
. Any local shop should be able to do the install for about $75-$80 depending on how rusted the upper shackle bolts are. I replaced mine.
Hope this helps.
1989 Centurion Classic Bronco
[link:groups.yahoo.com/group/centurionconversions/|https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=3476&.jpg]<-< Centurion Club
1979 Bronco XLT
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=3923&.jpg
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