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Suspension advice needed!

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Old Apr 13, 2020 | 10:24 AM
  #1  
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Suspension advice needed!

Hey everyone, this is one of my first post so bear with me ... I have a 1997 Ford F-250 SB CC 4x4 7.3

Just had a OBS sky 2.5in. reverse shackle with my stock 215k mile OBS leaf springs installed.

Converted to the Dana 60 straight axle

2.5 lift block in rear, stock springs.

It has pretty heavy weight up front with the Buckstop Winch bumper w/ 12klb winch.

THE PROBLEM I have is truck has so much bounce in the front end, it’s not very drivable. Not side to Side just up and down like a low rider. Definitely cant trailer anything which is what I mostly use the truck for, mainly just a car at a time, not big heavy loads or anything.

Does anyone have any advice if I should:
1. Buy 43-630-HD OBS springs for the front? Will prob lift it another 2in but need to get the ride back.
2. Take off the OBS kit and install the Sky Super duty kit front and rear ( I know that’s what should have been done in the first place)
3. any other ideas?
Advice is greatly appreciated, I’m kinda stuck on what to do next. Thanks

 
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Old Apr 13, 2020 | 11:27 AM
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This one gets a few people and this is why

the OBS F250 4x4 front springs are much stiffer then the SD F350 with dana 60.

you need to get some SD F350 leafs since OBS never had RSK
 
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Old Apr 13, 2020 | 09:53 PM
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Yes and no. The SD springs are a different length, so you would need the SD RSK springs kit if you decide to go that route. It sounds odd but the OBS 250 springs are stiffer than the OBS 350 springs are. The TTB Dana 50 needs the additional stiffness. The easiest thing would be to install OBS 350 springs
 
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Old Apr 14, 2020 | 04:52 PM
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Ben is absolutely correct^^

Obs 350 springs will fix you up. You cant use 250 springs on straight axle.
You can do sd rsk and sd springs if you want to spend more money. Supposedly the ride is better. I have not spent enough time in sd rsk trucks to notice much diff.
i did however have rsk on my f350 for years with original springs. It was an improvement but not a luxury auto by any stretch.
This comes down to budjet. 300 or 800$....
 
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Old Apr 15, 2020 | 07:30 PM
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Thanks!

Thanks for The response guys...Very helpful!
I’m going to post pics of springs I’m thinking about buying. Please let me know if you disagree or have any input on the OBS HD springs for my reverse shackle kit
my only concern is that it will lift the front a lot. Guess I can adapt the rear if I need to.
thanks again!



 
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Old Apr 15, 2020 | 08:01 PM
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I am not smart enough to know if those are for an OBS or not. If they fit then they should work. Are you going to put a brush guard or anything on it? Do you have an adjustable lanyard bar or a drop bracket? With the RSK and the lift from the springs you will probably need at least one.
 
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Old Apr 15, 2020 | 09:05 PM
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Its been converted to a Dana 60 straight axle.
Sky off road OBS reverse shackle kit.
Heavy buckstop winch bumper with a 12klb winch.
 
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Old Apr 16, 2020 | 04:06 PM
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Skye offers some different options with their kits, such as an adjustable panhard bar and/or panhard drop bracket. Did you opt for either of them?
 
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Old Apr 16, 2020 | 04:28 PM
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Yes I’ve been talking to them through all this and they told me about them for the SD kit, I haven’t looked for the OBS kit or was not mentioned.
This is what they sent me:
SD kit, For the panhard bracket, if this ends up being 3.5 or more lift in the front with those springs (SD HD) I'd recommend either doing the
FORD-PHBF-3"-Raw or the FORD-DropPlate-3"-Raw
 
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Old Apr 17, 2020 | 12:19 PM
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Just my $.02...I would contact ATS (ask for JR). He is also a member here "ATS JR" and is great to work with. I have purchased a few set of springs from them over the years. Great dude and very knowledgeable about these set-ups on the OBS trucks as well as the SD trucks!
He will give you solid advice for your application/desired ride and lift.

Here;s their link:
https://www.autoandtrucksprings.com/
 
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Old Apr 17, 2020 | 09:46 PM
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The image shows up now. It says it is for an F superduty. It may be a little stiffer than needed. Do they have springs for a 350? I would second ATS. They have a good reputation around here. You can get an adjustable panhard for either kit. Mine is for the OBS springs. When I talked to them about different kits they mentioned that smallest kit for an OBS was about the limit before needing an adjustable one. If the springs lift it more you may want to keep the bar in mind
 
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Old Apr 19, 2020 | 01:28 PM
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I'm taking my SKY RSK OBS system off my 96 F350.
Have original Ford springs with 100,000 miles and bushing are still like new.
Have SKY track bar drop as well.
Make offer.
 
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Old Apr 19, 2020 | 09:09 PM
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Originally Posted by scott79
Just my $.02...I would contact ATS (ask for JR). He is also a member here "ATS JR" and is great to work with. I have purchased a few set of springs from them over the years. Great dude and very knowledgeable about these set-ups on the OBS trucks as well as the SD trucks!
He will give you solid advice for your application/desired ride and lift.

Here;s their link:
https://www.autoandtrucksprings.com/
@scott79 thanks so much for the info, I’ve been talking to JR and he is VERY-very helpful!!
looks I’m going with 43-516 or 43-516HD

 
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Old Apr 19, 2020 | 09:16 PM
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Originally Posted by red mistress
I'm taking my SKY RSK OBS system off my 96 F350.
Have original Ford springs with 100,000 miles and bushing are still like new.
Have SKY track bar drop as well.
Make offer.
Originally Posted by 97-psd
The image shows up now. It says it is for an F superduty. It may be a little stiffer than needed. Do they have springs for a 350? I would second ATS. They have a good reputation around here. You can get an adjustable panhard for either kit. Mine is for the OBS springs. When I talked to them about different kits they mentioned that smallest kit for an OBS was about the limit before needing an adjustable one. If the springs lift it more you may want to keep the bar in mind
Thanks for the info man. I’ll def look into it
 
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Old Apr 20, 2020 | 01:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Matthew Phillips
@scott79 thanks so much for the info, I’ve been talking to JR and he is VERY-very helpful!!
looks I’m going with 43-516 or 43-516HD
You're welcome Matthew! Good luck with everything!
 
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