I normally am hanging out in the 57 to 60 forum but I have a question about my work truck, a 2011 F250 2wd with a utility bed. I work in the ag industry and put a lot of miles on the truck in a day. I was assigned the truck about a year and a half ago with 65,000 miles. It now has 116,000. Since the first day I drove it, it has an intermittent shake that I have been trying to get rid of.

I had a miller welder/generator and a hydraulic hose press that I have removed from the bed as well as moved the heavy items in the utility bed to the front compartments. That helped a little. New tires and new shocks did not help.

I recently saw that the clearance in the front end was zero on the right side and about an inch on the left. I took it to a local shop with a good suspension guy. He pointed out the rear is squatting too low and told me he couldn't diagnose the front end until I get the back end at the right height. He suggested new leafs or helper bags. I installed Firestone bags yesterday as I have them on my 2003 F350 and like them. This reduced the shake considerably to the point it just feels like a tire or 2 out of balance. It is ready for tires anyway. I have an appointment on Tuesday to drop the truck off so they can see whats up with the front and put new rubber on.

My biggest question is how much clearance am I supposed to have in the front between the I-beam and the bump stops? Secondary, I suspect the coil springs are very tired. Any recommendations on new? Can I get an inch or 2 above stock height with just springs?

 

It should have at least 2.5" of space in the front on a 2wd suoer duty

 

If the truck is a gas engine you could add diesel coil springs for added capacity and more lift. If not any spring shop can make you a set of coils, don't go too high then you won't be able to get the aligment correct without drop brackets for the twin I beam

 

So far the only replacement coils I found were at SD Springs (where I bought the bags) which are supposed to give me 3/4" to 1" above stock height. $189 for the pair though. Was hoping to find a set cheaper.

Here is how it sits now. Bottoms out very easily.



Passenger side.



Driver's side.