The Perfect Suspension?
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More Turbo
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 542
Likes: 1
From: New Milford, CT
The Perfect Suspension?
Sort of looking to start a discussion here. I've talked to a bunch of people about the "best" way to make your truck drive like a Cadillac and i've heard ALL sorts of stuff.
Everyone seems to swear by a different method and i'm looking to see what you guys think is ideal.
I have a 1997 F250 with a 60 swapped under the front. I had the TTB-50 leafs under it for a while and it rode like garbage.
I just bought a new set of leaf springs from ATS springs (2,200 lb capacity) and a set of bilstein shocks for all four corners.
I figured the nice light spring would make the truck ride better.
My question is really concerning the back. Should i buy new rear springs as well with the same load capacity as the front spring and then add a super heavy duty add a leaf to the pack to support the weight when i'm towing? (i tow 7-10k regularly). Or instead of the add a leaf should i run the lower capacity spring and then install airbags and juice them up when i'm towing to hold the load?
What about tires? I've heard to deflate the front tires slightly to absorb the bumps better. I've also been told to step away from the 235/85/16s and run a slightly taller and wider tire that can run at a lower PSI as that will also make it ride better.
What says you guys? I can't be the only one trying to get my truck to ride like a caddy.
Everyone seems to swear by a different method and i'm looking to see what you guys think is ideal.
I have a 1997 F250 with a 60 swapped under the front. I had the TTB-50 leafs under it for a while and it rode like garbage.
I just bought a new set of leaf springs from ATS springs (2,200 lb capacity) and a set of bilstein shocks for all four corners.
I figured the nice light spring would make the truck ride better.
My question is really concerning the back. Should i buy new rear springs as well with the same load capacity as the front spring and then add a super heavy duty add a leaf to the pack to support the weight when i'm towing? (i tow 7-10k regularly). Or instead of the add a leaf should i run the lower capacity spring and then install airbags and juice them up when i'm towing to hold the load?
What about tires? I've heard to deflate the front tires slightly to absorb the bumps better. I've also been told to step away from the 235/85/16s and run a slightly taller and wider tire that can run at a lower PSI as that will also make it ride better.
What says you guys? I can't be the only one trying to get my truck to ride like a caddy.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 14,380
Likes: 609
From: evansville in
Personally I would wish for Lincoln like qualities. My buddy has an 85 town car...man that thing is a cloud to ride in.
If you even want to compare stuff to ttb springs on a d60. Anything from any era will ride better. Personally my OE springs and 3" risk rides better than stock. If I could do it over I would have done a rsk with u code springs. Lots of people do the 05 stuff but I rode in a buddies 06 and I have to say I wasn't sold.
If you even want to compare stuff to ttb springs on a d60. Anything from any era will ride better. Personally my OE springs and 3" risk rides better than stock. If I could do it over I would have done a rsk with u code springs. Lots of people do the 05 stuff but I rode in a buddies 06 and I have to say I wasn't sold.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 843
From: knoxville, tn
I have wondered if it is actually possible to make our trucks ride that smooth. After all, they are big heavy trucks, meant to work. I am looking at an RSK with the stock springs. Supposedly the SD springs will make it ride better, but it ends up giving more lift than I am looking for. I know the Bilseien shocks are the most common shocks used for ride quality, but I prefer the Rancho 9000s. they are easily adjusted for preference. My brother ran the Bilsteins on his, and to be honest I wasn't really impressed. The Ranchos are much larger in diameter and seem to provide a better ride. He just recently swapped his out for the Ranchos.
The air bags would probably make a good addition if you do put a weaker spring on the rear. After adding the RSK, the bags will probably be next on my list. If you find the changing of the springs helps quite a bit that would be good to know, as a supplement with the air bags.
The air bags would probably make a good addition if you do put a weaker spring on the rear. After adding the RSK, the bags will probably be next on my list. If you find the changing of the springs helps quite a bit that would be good to know, as a supplement with the air bags.
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 542
Likes: 1
From: New Milford, CT
Maybe if i put the town car in the bed of my pickup it'll make it ride better?
If you even want to compare stuff to ttb springs on a d60. Anything from any era will ride better. Personally my OE springs and 3" risk rides better than stock. If I could do it over I would have done a rsk with u code springs. Lots of people do the 05 stuff but I rode in a buddies 06 and I have to say I wasn't sold.
I was reading about putting 05+ front and rear axles in my truck to get the coils up front and the better turning radius and the blah blah blah associated with it, but that's way more money and time that i don't have for the truck.
My problem with the RSK setup is that it lifts your truck. I love the way a clean OBS looks and that's the look i'm going for.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 21
From: Aransas Pass, Tx
I just did the RSK with Vcode Superduty springs and Rancho 9000XL shocks. I must say that the difference in ride is unmistakable compared to the D50. Granted, one of my shocks was bad and the springs had 280k on them but still.
The first time my girlfriend rode in the truck after the swap, she was like wow why didn't you do this before.
I still haven't addressed the rear leaves or shocks but I am planning on doing a superduty swap back there as well, with some Rancho non-adjustable shocks..... and a block to get rid of my ghost trailer but that has nothing to do with ride.
The first time my girlfriend rode in the truck after the swap, she was like wow why didn't you do this before.
I still haven't addressed the rear leaves or shocks but I am planning on doing a superduty swap back there as well, with some Rancho non-adjustable shocks..... and a block to get rid of my ghost trailer but that has nothing to do with ride.
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 542
Likes: 1
From: New Milford, CT
Jarrett, how much did the RSK realistically lift your truck?
As an update i spent a few hours on the truck today. Installed the front leaf springs. What a breeze. This is the only vehicle i''ve ever owned/worked on that everything just comes apart without me fighting it.
My front bilsteins didn't come in yet so i installed the old shocks again. The top bushing on the shocks were like a hotdog down a hallway. It was seriously like a 3/8" bolt in a 3/4" hole. Not good, i know, but the truck really isn't going anything.
Slapped the 4" blocks in the rear, and bolted on the bilsteins in the rear. Truck sits WAY higher. My tires now look like donuts, but i think i'm going to leave them for now.
Another question. Front sway bar. I never installed one. Would installing a front swaybar make the truck ride better in terms of making bumps or would it just take the sway out of things?
I mean i have one so i'll more than likely toss one in it but just curious.
As an update i spent a few hours on the truck today. Installed the front leaf springs. What a breeze. This is the only vehicle i''ve ever owned/worked on that everything just comes apart without me fighting it.
My front bilsteins didn't come in yet so i installed the old shocks again. The top bushing on the shocks were like a hotdog down a hallway. It was seriously like a 3/8" bolt in a 3/4" hole. Not good, i know, but the truck really isn't going anything.
Slapped the 4" blocks in the rear, and bolted on the bilsteins in the rear. Truck sits WAY higher. My tires now look like donuts, but i think i'm going to leave them for now.
Another question. Front sway bar. I never installed one. Would installing a front swaybar make the truck ride better in terms of making bumps or would it just take the sway out of things?
I mean i have one so i'll more than likely toss one in it but just curious.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 21
From: Aransas Pass, Tx
The front is now 3.25" above where it sat before. I don't know why I didn't get the full 3.5" of lift (plus whatever extra the stiffer v-code springs should have given) but I am not complaining. I clear 35" tires easily with no rubbing, and that is all I really wanted to get out of the thing.
Sway bar should really be called an anti-sway bar. It keeps (should keep) your truck level through turns and such. In my mind, it will allow you to run softer shocks without getting sea sick every time you drive your truck, giving you a softer ride. I got the adjustable rancho shocks so once I get my sway bar installed I will be softening the rating to dial in the most comfortable ride possible. They will limit your flex though so if you're planning on going to one of those bro-flex competitions or doing some pretty intense (lol get it, in tents) off roading, you might want to disconnect the bar.
Sway bar should really be called an anti-sway bar. It keeps (should keep) your truck level through turns and such. In my mind, it will allow you to run softer shocks without getting sea sick every time you drive your truck, giving you a softer ride. I got the adjustable rancho shocks so once I get my sway bar installed I will be softening the rating to dial in the most comfortable ride possible. They will limit your flex though so if you're planning on going to one of those bro-flex competitions or doing some pretty intense (lol get it, in tents) off roading, you might want to disconnect the bar.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,135
Likes: 46
From: Columbus, Oh
I am doing an RSK as well. I completely understand your want to not lift your truck. As I wanted no lift as well. However, certain concessions need to be made for comfort. I went with the 2.25" and u code SD springs. This is supposed to be close to stock height with the factory 4" lift block in the rear. I cannot confirm this though as I'm still in the process of building my truck. The rear is where I'm changing it up. I'm going with a triangulated 4 link and full air ride. With the bags and RSK, it should be as close to riding like a caddy or town car or whatever you want to call it. And tow/haul anything.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,135
Likes: 46
From: Columbus, Oh
This is how it sits as of now for mock up. I'm about to get the RSK bolted in and out the 60 under it. Then I'll be able to raise/lower the frame to find the right ride height and go from there to finish mock up.
