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Replacement front leaf springs

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Old Jun 17, 2019 | 10:28 PM
  #31  
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Depends how worn out your old springs are. When I replaced mine i noticed a huge improvement in ride quality since I wasn’t hitting bump stops anymore when I couldn’t avoid pot holes. It was definitely a stiffer/ firmer ride. I dont mind it now but mines a crew cab with heavy front bumper and will most likely wear a plow at some point. It’s still a stiff ride but hey, its a 3/4 or 1 ton truck.
 
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Old Jun 18, 2019 | 07:15 AM
  #32  
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Yeah well Ford state from the base of the bump stop to the plate it hits, no less than 4 1/4 inches. Mine are at 3 so... they are done.
I expect a stiffer ride but also a smoother one and no more clunks. I have gone through and replaced all that i can and still get some clink so I am putting those on work out spring bushings. I figure if the springs are one, so are the bushings. And I am also putting in new shocks while I am at it. Those are still the same ones from when I bought the truck back in 06.
 
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Old Jun 18, 2019 | 08:08 AM
  #33  
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I have those 43-818's up front and won't complain about the ride. But...then...I was replacing an 11 spring stack, which rode like a rock.
 
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Old Jun 18, 2019 | 08:50 AM
  #34  
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Originally Posted by Walleye Hunter
I have those 43-818's up front and won't complain about the ride. But...then...I was replacing an 11 spring stack, which rode like a rock.
Holy crap!!! 11 leafs? Lifted I hope?
 
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Old Jun 18, 2019 | 09:51 AM
  #35  
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Originally Posted by BillyBob69
OK so my spring code calls for V on the front. $150 each side per ATS.
The X codes are $100 but rated for 400lbs more. Popularity?
How much of a difference in ride can I expect?

the springs are not what provides ride quality that is the shocks job.

A higher spring rate requires a shock with different valving, specifically you would want less compression and more rebound or your ride would be to stiff and jarring.

if you took the shocks off a V code equipped truck and a X code truck you would not be able to tell which truck had which spring. put the same shock on and Viola, the X code is going to suck.
 
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Old Jun 18, 2019 | 10:03 AM
  #36  
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Time for a new thread.... sheesh
OK SO I am on a budget... Not looking for a sports car handling or performance and I dont want my spine compressed going down the road. BUT I also dont want it to look like I just installed a set of hydraulics and now bobbing down the road. On a budget....stock height...recommendations?
I was on rockauto looking at the Monroes, Gabriels, Ranchos...KYBs. Kind of on a budget. OEM is good for me.
Daily driver, rarely off road..maybe once or twice a year just to get to hunt camp otherwise...all highway and a little city & dirt . Don't haul heavy loads much. At least no over 10k

Experiences with these?
Thanks all!
 
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Old Jun 18, 2019 | 12:29 PM
  #37  
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I've had good luck with the KYB MonoMax...but cheap they aren't.
 
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Old Jun 18, 2019 | 01:01 PM
  #38  
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I'm running Bilstein 5100 series with V codes. Worth every penny.
 
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Old Jun 18, 2019 | 01:36 PM
  #39  
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Junior got me all fixed up with V/C spring all the hardware and new Bilsteins 4600s. I added Airlift bags for towing







 
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Old Jun 18, 2019 | 01:54 PM
  #40  
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Originally Posted by AllaboutMPG
I went with the 43-818s and it did not change front end alignment at all, just leveled the truck..... at least with my crude measurement method

Rear height




front height before new springs




Front height after new springs


😂😂 I think that’s how I’m going to ask people to measure from now on. That’s great.
 
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Old Jun 18, 2019 | 04:36 PM
  #41  
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Originally Posted by BillyBob69
Holy crap!!! 11 leafs? Lifted I hope?
It was 6"

Originally Posted by pirate4x4_camo
the springs are not what provides ride quality that is the shocks job.

A higher spring rate requires a shock with different valving, specifically you would want less compression and more rebound or your ride would be to stiff and jarring.

if you took the shocks off a V code equipped truck and a X code truck you would not be able to tell which truck had which spring. put the same shock on and Viola, the X code is going to suck.
I can agree with this to a certain extent but if you have a spring that's not going to give there is no shock in the world that can compensate for that.
 
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Old Jun 18, 2019 | 07:56 PM
  #42  
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Originally Posted by Squirrel13
Junior got me all fixed up with V/C spring all the hardware and new Bilsteins 4600s. I added Airlift bags for towing





@Squirrel13 Looks great.

What's the wheel name and tire size?
 
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Old Jun 18, 2019 | 08:01 PM
  #43  
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Originally Posted by Bently_Coop
@Squirrel13 Looks great.

What's the wheel name and tire size?
Coincidentally I PM'd @Squirrel13 a few hours ago because I had very similar thoughts. His choice is one of the best looking combos I have seen.
 
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Old Jun 18, 2019 | 09:35 PM
  #44  
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Originally Posted by Walleye Hunter
It was 6"


I can agree with this to a certain extent but if you have a spring that's not going to give there is no shock in the world that can compensate for that.
I am referring specifically to the stock V code spring rate of 430 lbs inch and the X code spring rate of 470 lbs inch.
without shocks installed you could not tell what spring was on the vehicle. It’s not until you install a shock with valving for a 430 spring rate on the 470 spring that it becomes apparent. I’ve run as high as a 600 lbs inch and low as 300 lbs inch rate with and without shocks and you would be hard pressed to tell the difference without shocks.
 
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Old Jun 18, 2019 | 10:18 PM
  #45  
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I went with the 48-818 "X Code" kit from ATS and couldn't have been happier.

I also had Ranch RS9000XL shocks and the ride was as good as stock if not better. I liked the adjustability to "tune" things for what I was doing (unloaded, loaded, off-roading, etc.).
 
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