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Oct 2, 2019 | 03:18 PM

sono

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Apr 2018

Posts: 27

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From: West New York, NJ

soft suspension

The PO of my 1986 F250 2WD put in Rancho shocks. They are stiff and sporty. I am retired and I am no longer sporty. I don't need the stiffness of a Lotus or a Lola or a Lambo. I would like the mushiness of a Cadillac. Does anyone know what type of shocks to get so that I can soak up the bumps instead of feeling every little one?

Oct 2, 2019 | 04:28 PM

FuzzFace2

FTE Legend

Joined: Nov 2015

Posts: 30,917

Likes: 4,123

From: Angier, NC

First a F250 is going to ride a little ruff as it is a 3/4 ton truck and shocks only keeps the truck from bouncing after you hit a bump.
But I would pick any shock off the shelf from the parts store.
As a note gas shocks will also give a little ruffer ride but the oil under psi keeps the oil from foaming that would cause the shock from doing it's job.

I just installed KYB gas shocks on my F100 from LMC. I have not driven it yet, still building it, but just climbing in & out of the bed it does not bounce like a ball with out the shocks.
I also ran Rancho's, no lift, on a 86 K5 Blazer, duel up front, and I broke 2 left rear mounts and 1 front mount and think it was because how stiff they were but I was also a lot younger then so was not a big deal how it rode.
Dave ----

Oct 7, 2019 | 06:31 PM

xlt351

Trailering

Joined: Jul 2015

Posts: 22

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From: Central Coast NSW

Hey,

I might be completely wrong about this but , I have an 83 F100 ( Australia ) annd replaced both Ftont Springs and new shocks. Its a Truck and it rides like a truck. Very firm.
Ive thought about looking for similar size springs on new model vehicles hoping they would be not so firm but have not done the research.

Cheers

Oct 7, 2019 | 06:59 PM

sono

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Apr 2018

Posts: 27

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From: West New York, NJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by xlt351

I am sure you are right about your truck but I have owned 5 other trucks. All rode better than my current one. My Chevrolet C10 and K20 rode like comfortable cars. One of my Fords also crashed over bumps (like the current one) but it had a cracked frame. Unfortunately you can only use the right springs on our trucks because there is a 2-1/2 finger gap between the rubber bumper and the I-beam and you have to maintain at least that gap to have any suspension movement.