2008 Ford F-350. Regular cab 8' bed.

I'm looking for options to increase payload. I have my dump insert in the truck year round which is about 800lbs. I now installed a tailgate salter and when that sucker is full it adds about 900-1100 lbs. which includes salt and the salter. Plus some extra salt in the bed.

What are my options? Air bags ? Add a leaf ? My buddy was telling me about having the springs re done. Meaning they take your stock leafs out and do something to them and re-install.

Thanks guys
Matt

 

Timbrens...I have 4-5k of sand in my sander all winter...They work great.

 

Your buddy probably talking about getting the springs re arched. Did that one time to an old Chevy, also added a leaf.

 

I have been down both roads with my work trucks and have tried the leaf springs, and both the firestone and the air lift air bags. I would have to say that the air lift air bags were the best of all three, the springs broke on me after being re-arched and adding a leaf. the firestone air bags were o.k., but tended to leak air from the fittings. The air lift were harder to install but were positioned better on the axle and worked a lot better for me. I used them for 7 years on my last truck and they lasted great and were the best improvement for carrying heavy loads and pulling heavy trailers. You better get a couple of extra drill bits if you drill through the frame to mount them, it is hard steel and ate a couple of bits in the process, but it was well worth the install in the long run. I had a work top with a lot of parts, and carried tools and a 98 gallon transfer fuel tank in the back which added at least 2000 pounds overall, and that was before I put the payload on the truck so I know exactly what you are dealing with, try the air bags, it will probably be cheaper than doing the springs anyway and you can let the air out when you don't need them. I did have to replace the front springs though because I had a heavy winch bumper. I you need a phone number to order custom springs let me know. Hope this helps.

 

I'd recommend airbags because of the adjustability. I've used the Air Lift kit with great results in the past, and really liked that I could remove pressure when unloaded to still maintain a halfway decent ride.

http://www.airliftcompany.com/

 

My vote is too keep the stock springs and add one or two extra springs to the pack. I have one extra spring added to my stock leaf pack on my 2004 f350 and have ZERO conplaints about it. The ride isnt any harsher to me i do feel the spring stopped body lean during turns, it helped with payload for what i haul just how i like it too. Not saggy but not riding rear high either

 

I would think you're still well within the payload of a rc f350 going off your numbers. 800+1200+900 (assuming you've got a plow) that's only 2900 lbs.
If you just want it to carry the load better airbags or timbrens will help like they stated.
Or just spread that salt faster!

 

I made these overload blocks to take the weight better when i have my winter ballast and for towing. That block weighs 2300#. Engaging that overload immediately raised the truck 2". Best mod I have ever done

 

I would not recommend that kind of modification, granted the rear springs are slightly different in the newer trucks but my 06 F350 hauling a F250/F350 worthy load would have the overload springs seriously overloaded and most likely bent down and touching the regular springs. It would very likely work unloaded and lightly loaded but bad things would happen with a heavy load or trailer.

 

What else do you have in back? 1900lbs shouldn't be very noticeable in the back of a F350?

 

With the weight I carry and the road conditions here in New Orleans I would bend the crap out of those blocks you added to your springs. Don't take this the wrong way but it does not look very safe to me, especially when loaded down and pulling a trailer the spring might snap.

 

The bottom overload takes over long before the top overload ever comes in contact with the main leaf pack. The most I've had in the truck since making the blocks is 5000# and the springs never touched. The 08+ springs are 8" longer but squat much faster then the early gen springs.
Stock:
1000lbs squats 1.5"
2500lbs squats 2.75"
5000lbs squats 3.5"

With blocks
1000lbs squats 1/2"
2500lbs squats 3/4"
5000lbs squats 2"

They keep the truck very stable under load and a lot of bounce is gone. That top spring is very strong but very flexable. I have absolutely no concern of it breaking.

I haul 1000-2000# daily and tow 6-8000# almost weekly. These have been on the truck for 2 years and there is no sign of fatigue or wear.

The spring and pad are kept greased so there is very little friction. The spring slides easily and as more load is out on it and the main overload is engaged the top spring has less weight on it. It's not for everyone and I cannot comment on how safe it is besides that I have had no failures. Personally I would use these before air bags but everyone needs to do what they think is best for them

 

I have the Firestone bags on my truck and it masde a world of difference in ride quality unloaded. They made a world of difference when I hooked up the 5th wheel. it put the weight back on the front wheels. I didn't have to drill any holes in my frame. Wish I had done this before I added my 5th wheel hitch because some of the bolts were behind the plates for the hitch. Go bags and you wont be sorry.

 

I used these on a couple different F150s. Nice part is that the ride isn't compromised when there's no load on them. Not there's much ride quality in a 250 or 350 now that I own one!

 

Well I think my squat is noticeable because with the tailgate spreader mounted the weight is out past the end of the truck. That's my main issue here. If the weight was in the bed over the axle or in front of the axle there would be no issue

Thank you for all your input