I've been reading for weeks about how to improve the ride of my 1996 F350, and have gotten myself so confused with the options, I now can't decide which would be best for me...so confused I had to join up and get some input

Background: I've had my 96 F350 PSD ZF5 crew cab for about 3 years, it is an "extra" vehicle for special purposes, I.E. towing heavy, picking up lumber, firewood, throwing the Four Wheel Camper on for vacations, etc. 3-5k a year is about all that it sees, but it is indespensable for those uses. It's getting a little long in the tooth, but I can't justify a newer 1 Ton right now for how little use it would get, so it's time to improve this one a bit. Driving fully loaded through the CA Bay Area freeways at 4PM on my way to the coast for vacation last year lit a fire under me to get the suspension back in order.

I bought it with a Sky Manufacturing 3" RSK with what I assume are stock OBS F350 springs. Must have been put on a long time back, the bushings all around are SHOT, the spring bolt will hit metal over bumps. Driving fully loaded on a freeway is a crapshoot, one bump will put me in the other lane and running over a Prius if I'm not careful. Track bar bushings are gone, it had no sway bar at all (sourced a used stock one and put it on) alignment is bad, but not much point getting an alignment when the front end is all slop. I also believe there is too much play in the steering box. Good news is when I bought it, I had all the ball joints and front axle gone through, less than 15k on all that. Basically, I have the Sky bracket, shackles, bilstein shocks, 3" drop pitman arm, and extended brake lines up front already.

So, Option 1: Replace all bushings, get the fabricated 3" track bar bracket (the 3" drop plate it has now flexes and the bolts loosen up...scary) and adjustable track bar from Sky, new steering box, good alignment. Maybe even replace my 225k mile springs with some new ones. $$$=Cheap. This is what I planned on until I started researching.

Reading the forums got me on the PMF RSK with SD V-Code bandwagon. The PMF hanger looks way better designed, no drilling to move the hanger forward for the SD springs, lower lift (2.25") which is what I would want. Better ride with the SD springs, etc.

So, Option 2: Buy the PMF Kit with all the goodies. Buy new V-Code springs from Ford. I already put B-Code springs on the rear, so just new shocks out back. $$$=600+ for the PMF stuff, 225 each for the front springs from the Ford dealer. 1000+, easy, plus some extra work for me.

Is the PMF and V-Code swap really going to make that much of a difference for me to justify the extra money and work over the OBS springs with the Sky RSK? I know I could move the Sky kit forward and save some cash, but I'm not into drilling new holes and cutting up my bumper. Is there an option 3 I am missing?

Sorry for the long winded post!
-Eric

 

yes, go with the PMF RSK but go with U code springs, a better ride than the V code.

And YES a MUCH better ride than the OBS springs

 

I'm a tightwad..I would replace bushings everywhere with poly and get new track bar bracket hardware and rock on. But that's basically what I have and I'm happy enough. Everybody likes the SD springs but I could not spend the change on them.

 

So the pmf with SD springs is only 2.5 over stock?

Can you throw out a center hub to fender opening measurement?

 

A shock measurement is Much more accurate. it leave the condition of the body mounts out if it.

My 2 RSK trucks have a 21" shock measurement

 

Thanks for the reply Brad. I've read many of your posts here and elsewhere, very helpful.

I kicked around the thought of getting the U Codes if I do the SD spring swap after reading your posts about the lighter weight of the OBS trucks vs the SDs. My question on that is, since this truck is very very rarely driven empty, would those U Codes still be right for me? Most of the summer, it has my 1000lb Four Wheel Camper on the bed. If the camper is off, I only use the truck for hauling heavy/bulky items or a trailer, I use my Tacoma for the small stuff. My thought was along the lines of Light OBS + Camper = ~Super Duty weight, so use a slightly heavier spring meant for the PSD SDs. What do you think?

I should check the price on the U-Codes. For some reason the X-Code springs were about 40 bucks cheaper at the dealer per spring.

While I'm on the topic, what about using aftermarket springs? Like from RockAuto or SDTruckSprings. Anyone used those? The price difference would make it a no brainer for me to go the PMF route, the 450+tax from Ford is a tough one. I haven't had much luck finding used springs. The one dismantler that would actually get me the spring code wanted 300 bucks for a pair of used springs...no thanks.

 

Yeah that's the thing I'm wrestling with...the "good enough" part. As much as I love the OBS, I'll probably be in a newer truck in a few years, so I'd want a fairly significant upgrade in ride quality to spend the coin since I won't get any of this back at resell time.

I don't think I've ever encountered a mod like this with so many positive words said about it though, so I'm inclined to believe it will be money well spent at this point. Maybe I can sell the Sky RSK kit on craigslist to make back some of the difference.

 

Going the aftermarket spring route is fine if they are the right spring rates. A lot of them place sell one size fits most applications.

I would still go with U codes even with a slide in camper, Most of the weight is still on rear

 

Thanks.curious as I can not go up any or my garage door will not accomadate the rig.
I have poly bushings so its not sagging now:-)

 

I found atssprings.com has u codes for 119$ a piece...im going to measure where I'm at now tomorrow lol
Anybody want a sky rsk lol?

 

Might be 2 Sky kits going up for sale then

Can you link me to the U Codes?

I see the V codes equivalent (2 leaf 2630lb each so 5260lb for the pair), which is Part #43-818. I see this part number all over the place under different brand names from rockauto, husky spring, SDtruckspring.com, atsspring.com, etc. They also have a 3 leaf HD version with a crazy high rating.

Then I see a 43-812 2 leaf pack at 2030lb per spring, so 4060lb total. Too light, right? Aren't U Codes 4800?

 

Just found this link on SDTruckSprings:

Excursion Leaf Spring Swap with F250 Springs | SD Truck Springs | Leaf Springs, Helper Springs and Suspension Parts

Their numbers for the U Codes don't jive with what I've seen on the forums:

T = 4,400 pounds @ground
U = 4,800
V = 5,200
W = 5,600 (rare on a pickup)
X = 6,000 (only with snow-plow pkg on a pickup)

Rear spring codes:
A = F-250 & Excursion (6,084 pounds @ground)
B = F-350 SRW (6,830 pounds @ground)
C = F-350 DRW (8,250 pounds @ground)

Just looked around a bit on the excursion forums, looks like several people have used SDTruckSpring to replace their sagged out springs with positive results. Sounds like them and atsspring.com sell the same springs, so we might be good to go fordman67.

 

ATS is a sponsor here. Send him a pm or maybe he'll chime in here. This goes to his something or another. I'm sleepy.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/member.php?u=720847

 

For what it's worth, I got my stock replacement rear springs for the 96 C&C, from SDTruckSprings.com, and am very pleased with them. Something like 3 or 4 days from the time I ordered until delivery on my door step. I'd use them again if I need springs.

 

I never thought about the body mounts before.....that's good info!