Another suspension thread
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 243
Likes: 18
From: PA
Another suspension thread
OK - Had another long family trip this weekend and took the truck to have more space. I had to listen to my wife complain about the ride the entire time and how my old F-150 was so much better. I know its a truck and I bought it for said purposes. Anyone else out there made some adjustments to make the interstate better for the family without losing truck capability? Not looking to spend a ton of money, but looking for solutions other than the wife cramming us in her small vehicle for family trips! I have seen suggestions such as Rancho 9000 XL's and sulastic rear shackles, but don't want to replace them now if they aren't going to make a difference. My orignial plan was to wait until it had to be replaced to upgrade, but trying to make the wife happy.
2018 F250 6.2 Fx4
Sulastic. Leaf Spring Shackle
Anyone ever use these?
2018 F250 6.2 Fx4
Sulastic. Leaf Spring Shackle
Anyone ever use these?
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 138
Likes: 1
Easiest thing to do is lower tire pressure if you haven't already, assuming you are not hauling/towing. There are other threads on the forum regarding shocks, from what I've seen it looks like Fox 2.0 are more recommended over the Rancho.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 243
Likes: 18
From: PA
Should have mentioned - I started there. Running at 55 PSI in the front and 50 in the rear.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,182
Likes: 7
From: Saint Augustine, FL
Hmmm, things like this have me puzzled. I have a '17 CCSB 6.7 FX4 with the SPPP and 18" Wranglers. The truck is all stock including the white shocks. Has 19K miles. My wife PREFERS taking the truck on family trips because its so comfortable. The ride quality is firm but composed and with the exception of the occasional pothole or rail road crossing, very comfortable.
I have the tire pressure set at 57 PSI all around.
I have the tire pressure set at 57 PSI all around.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 243
Likes: 18
From: PA
Did you do this yourself or have it done. If you just had it done, curious what the labor bill was (if you don't mind sharing).
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 395
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I think you'll get exactly what you're after with the 2.5" Carli Commuter leveling kit and their rear leaf add-a-packs. Carli spends a TON of time with their R&D compared to other aftermarket manufactures and has developed custom suspension components (springs and shocks) that are spec'd to work WITH one other, specifically for the new Superduty platform. These trucks seem to have a very hard "jarring" reaction to even small road variations and upgrading to one of their kits removed almost ALL of the hard, uncomfortable jarring I had with the stock suspension.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 128
Likes: 4
From: Cypress
I did it myself. Takes a couple of hours. I had trouble finding the right size allen wrench that would fit in tight spot because the upper shackle bot get replaced. Seems like most people are paying 2-3 hours of labor to have done.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
In addition to running mid-50s tire pressures I find throwing 6 60lb. tube sand bags in to the rear of the bed takes out excessive bouncing and generally improves the ride. It is not much weight but it is a noticeable ride difference.
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 370
Likes: 10
From: Salt Lake City UT
Factory shocks?
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 173
Likes: 2
From: Pratt, KS
I’d definitely recommend changing shocks. Until you get the factory shocks off and compress them by hand, you really don’t realize how pathetic they really are. It’s pretty sad. I put Fox 2.0 on my ‘17, and when I traded for my ‘19 I went with Rancho 9000 XL’s with Sulastic shackles. I had a local a mechanic swap that, the rear blocks, and the steering stabilizer for $500. He’s pretty particular and he spent about 5 hours working on it. I’m still playing with the adjustment on the Rancho’s, but after 4,000 miles I’m good with it. If I did it again I’d probably go sulastics with the Fox’s. I had 250 lbs in the bed a few days ago, and it really rode nice. I spent most of the weekend driving a ‘17 Tahoe and a ‘19 Expedition that both had the magnetic suspension. I’m not so sure I didn’t feel more bumps on the highway in them then I did my F250. That new Expedition is pretty sweet, btw.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 243
Likes: 18
From: PA
I’d definitely recommend changing shocks. Until you get the factory shocks off and compress them by hand, you really don’t realize how pathetic they really are. It’s pretty sad. I put Fox 2.0 on my ‘17, and when I traded for my ‘19 I went with Rancho 9000 XL’s with Sulastic shackles. I had a local a mechanic swap that, the rear blocks, and the steering stabilizer for $500. He’s pretty particular and he spent about 5 hours working on it. I’m still playing with the adjustment on the Rancho’s, but after 4,000 miles I’m good with it. If I did it again I’d probably go sulastics with the Fox’s. I had 250 lbs in the bed a few days ago, and it really rode nice. I spent most of the weekend driving a ‘17 Tahoe and a ‘19 Expedition that both had the magnetic suspension. I’m not so sure I didn’t feel more bumps on the highway in them then I did my F250. That new Expedition is pretty sweet, btw.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 173
Likes: 2
From: Pratt, KS
I put the 1.5” shorter PMF blocks with the taper to almost level the pickup without messing with the front end. I had the shorter Ford blocks on my ‘17, but fought a vibration issue. I’m really happy with these so far. I’m completely sold on the Fox 2.0 steering stabilizer. I had bump steer on my ‘17 from almost day 1, and the Fox all but eliminated it. My ‘19 was perfect, but after seeing the difference between the Fox and Stock on the previous pickup, I went ahead and changed it while we were doing everything else. I swear it makes it steer a little easier, but it’s probably all in my head.