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Hi everyone. I am looking at upgrading my shocks in the near’ish future.
What are people’s opinions on the front springs? Is it something to look at switching, if I do upgrade the shocks. I have read and heard a few times the stock springs on the 350’s are overkill b/c they know the shocks are weak. Granted it’s a ‘work truck’
There is a Carli spring, but I want to keep it stock height.
In general, the stock shocks suck. Almost any aftermarket shock will be better than the OEM.
What problem are you trying to solve?
I have yet to hear that the springs on the F-350 are "overkill" to compensate for the weak shocks. The springs on the F-350 are there for increased loads that may be put on the front axle, such as a slide-in camper.
Spring and shock absorbers are very different and do different jobs. Both are necessary. The heavier the truck springs, the less the shocks can do. Stack up 9-10 leaves and no shocks.
My new F-350 rides great. Could not ride better or have a more solid feel. The engineers and builders did a great job.
So from my knowledge... - springs hold the truck up, absorb the bumps and the shocks help dampen the bumps and the recoil of the Springs.
going to a beefier shock like the fox 2.5 (for example) would help dampen the bumps etc, so I guess my question is would it be beneficial to goto a slightly lighter spring?
I drive gravel roads roads a fair amount in the summer and the truck sucks on them. So I would like to improve that.
I believe my trucks a 5600lb spring (front) and I was debating a 5200lb spring if I swap the shocks. And I want to keep the stock height for towing. I put a bunch of sandbags in the box when it’s unloaded.
Before changing the springs, I would change the shocks. An aftermarket shock like the Rancho 9000XL is adjustable and may be a good fit for you if you're trying to dial in a specific ride quality. Fox makes an adjustable shock also, but it is much more expensive from what I hear.
One warning I'll throw out is if you put in shocks (and springs?) that are too weak you may be setting yourself up for death wobble. I had my Rancho 9000XL shocks set too low and experienced death wobble. Once I increased the setting, I haven't had a problem in the past two years.
Before changing the springs, I would change the shocks. An aftermarket shock like the Rancho 9000XL is adjustable and may be a good fit for you if you're trying to dial in a specific ride quality. Fox makes an adjustable shock also, but it is much more expensive from what I hear.
One warning I'll throw out is if you put in shocks (and springs?) that are too weak you may be setting yourself up for death wobble. I had my Rancho 9000XL shocks set too low and experienced death wobble. Once I increased the setting, I haven't had a problem in the past two years.
Perfect thanks! I didn’t think of that. I’ll do the shocks first and see how it goes from there.
