2009 never had a problem with weight in the back of the truck this 16 same series F350 sink down on its haunches,has anyone added a leaf spring and how much will it affect the normal ride when not loaded might be able to get it done today that's why I'm looking for a quick response if not I have to figure another thing not airbags had them in the past they always let go and leak over time thanks again

 

Most guys will do airbags as opposed to a spring as they offer more adjustability. You already have an overload spring so the add a leaf would be the type to go under your factory spring pack and always be in play? If so then yes indeed, it will affect unloaded ride quality.

 

air bags all the way. used them for years with no problems if installed correctly.

 

X2... Even with over 4900# of pin weight, mine just came down to the overload tabs and actually rode quite good there. However, I did add AirLift bags and onboard air in order to get the truck back level again.. I run no more than 35 PSI (loaded) in the bags..

 

Once again guys thanks for the quick response. Went ahead and put the extra leaf springs in. Help level the truck out since the front end was a little high do the 2-inch increase level kit in the front. Overall raise the back 1 inch and a half truck has a slight rake look now just like Factory. Basically increase the load capacity 1000 pounds truck does not ride any different if anything it seems to be a little more stable going over bumps even with the factory shocks so if anyone's wondering don't worry, however I do have a fuel tank and work box in the back that might change if you're completely empty don't really know, but for my case it didn't make a bit of difference. Dropped 1000 pounds in the back tonight barely moved thanks again for all your help

 

That's great to know. Glad it worked out positively for you!

 

yes all good i just wonder why this new truck springs are so week is it because all 6.7 use a different leaf ?? then gas models ?? 2009 never need any thing 167,000.00 miles ???

 

It's not the 6.7 vs. gas, it's the 2011 redesign that makes the difference. The goal was to get the truck to ride better so a new spring pack was introduced that was supposed to be much more progressive. The idea was a smoother ride unloaded and to have resistance grow progressively as weight was added. So, wile it may sag, it will hold the load. It's the price paid for unloaded ride quality.

 

It's amazing how much Ford has improved the ride quality on these trucks, especially when empty. I didn't realize the drastic improvement until yesterday, when I had to drive the old truck to work to get the windshield replaced after not really driving it for a few months. It's an F250 and rode like on oxcart compared to my '16 F350 with the max GVWR package. I knew the new truck road much better than the old one, but didn't realize how much so until getting back into the old truck after a few months exclusively driving the new one around.

 

Yep, and according to Josh who's at Ford with the engineers and shooting promo videos, the 17's ride night and day better than the 11-16's and handle more weight. He said the first thing he noticed was how much better the new ones rode compared to his current SD. It's a continuing evolution!

 

They changed springs didn't they in '11 to 66" from 55". Then the '17 is going back to 55"?

My '15 rides worse than my '99 empty, but better loaded. Still not exactly like a '60s sedan....

 

It's a heavy duty truck. You can only compromise, one direction or the other, so much. Just like politics, you can only make some happy. At least til lately and the politics isn't cutting it.

 

I never realize how many people use these trucks for weekend boat transport and fifth wheels motorhomes which is absolutely fine. However from a business point of view I wish they offer a super duty for just work with heavy duty springs like the 2009 model it was only $320 to add leaf springs, but it's sort of ridiculous to buy a 2016 have to add Leafs in the back so it can handle the weight . Before I lifted the front end the back would basically scrape the ground with a load of tile totally unacceptable for a work truck. When I showed my dealer he suggested I put airbags in you know it works fine When you trailer something once in awhile, but on a daily basis I don't feel like adding air that's why I was against them in the beginning of this post had them before on other trucks. It reminds me of a story of a young girl complaining about the ride of her truck. She looked about 26 she told the dealer it was hurting her back when she hit bumps I burst into laughter as did the shop manager when we left the room wondering what was she expecting an F350 to do ride like a Cadillac? it's a work truck after all it this is the reason the prices are climbing through the roof. The next thing you know they'll introduce a broken up front end like Chevy for a comfortable ride, I hope that day never comes I have enough friends that plow and repair their GMC"$ every two years versus my six year old truck I sold with a perfect front end after 6 years of commercial plowing with a 9-foot v take care

 

I think your missing the point. It CAN handle all the weight it's rated for. If your adding a leaf or air bags you're not increasing it's carrying capacity at all. Your changing the truck's stance while carrying the weight. So, while it might look better not sagging while loaded, it's doing nothing to add to the trucks payload capacity.

 

No I understand the point completely and I don't want to have this turn into another as usual argument the truck could not handle it try driving 2 hours with the lights up in the space or have a State Trooper tell you why is your truck sagging so bad are you over your weight limit Getting off the Thruway in Utica New York. When I explain this to my dear that's why he suggested airbags. Apparently anyone that's old a pre 2011 truck has the same opinion that use them for work on a daily basis. talking to a few contractors at my dealership did the same thing just seems ridiculous you need to add leaf springs to a truck to handle work, and it's not just Ford Dodge and Chevy have done the same thing over the years they're catering these trucks to White Collar Weekend Warriors which is useless for anyone trying to make a living with them. What the Leafs have done is added stability to the ride on a two-hour ride going over bumps the truck is much more in control and feel safe driving down mountain roads with 1,200 to 1500 pounds in the back I'm not worried about increasing its capacity I have a trailer for that take care