Looking for a few suggestions on how to set up the suspension on our new f550. Its a mixed duty truck, mostly carries our camper at about 4500lbs, and also does occasional farm work with our flat bed. It is not a heavy tow truck, will almost never be run at capacity. Often run empty.

Looking for something to improve the ride at these lower weights (it rides like a brick empty) and improve offroad performance.

With whatever we do, we will be installing a set of custom kings with reservoir. Also doing a single rear wheel conversion and running 42" goodyear G275 MSA tires. Only running a 2" lift.

1) New rear coil spring suspension

From an armored car company that makes extreme duty trucks for the UN. Weighs about the same as the stock suspension. Increases rear axle travel from 4" to 12". ~$2400 for the kit. Would pair with kings and might add a small in coil helper bag for the occasional heavy load.



2) Kelderman

Rear air suspension. Not sure how well this does offroad in terms of increased travel. About $3400 for rear alone, or $9500 for a complete 4 link system with the controller.

3) Other options?

I'm a total newbie to suspension mods, so any help appreciated. We arent rock crawlers at all, more looking for something that will handle washboard roads really well, but also have the axle articulation to keep us from getting stuck.

 

That is one heck of a setup. Wow.
If I were to try to figure out how to make a F550 ride better I would give the OUO guys a call. They have built custom rear bag setups and done coilover conversions. This is something a little different but I would still see what they would recommend.

 

just remove some of the individual leaf springs from the OEM leaf pack, you will get a better ride empty still have weight capacity and increase suspension flex all for free and a few hours of your time

 

Ummmm, no.

If you remove leaves from the pack, you reduce the spring's rate, therefore removing capacity.

 

That's just crazy talk. Everyone knows Ford just adds unnecessary leaves to make their trucks ride extra stiff. It makes it feel more "heavy duty".

 

I called the OUO guys and they were very helpful/knowledgeable. They rec'd removing a few springs and adding their 4 link control arms, and a couple other parts. Could then add helper air bags for those days when you are carrying more.

Their total kit cost is around 2k. So, really really torn on keeping leafs and adding control arms and king shocks, versus going with the rear coil spring set up and adding kings.

Thoughts? The price isnt enough to be swaying one way or the other. I like that the coil kit is a complete kit and doesnt involve trying to figure out how many leafs to remove.

Just not sure which kit will be the better ride, and better performer offroad. As well as least maintenance headache.

 

I said remove a. Pulls leaves to soften up the ride, it's still going to handle a load just not as much as stock. Now to the OP what's the point of the four link if the leaf springs are still on the truck? The leafs hold the axle in place so why four link...and it seems they told you to do the same thing I did, remove some of the bottom individual leafs and then add airbags for them times when you need it and be done with it. Spend the four hundred for the bags and take some leafs out for free and enjoy your truck

 

You didn't mention airbags in your comment. I'm also thinking ouo might have recommended traction bars since they don't make a 4link...