Soo i think my springs are tired...
i have UA springs....
Would i be crazy to switch to XC springs...? I know, im driving a 250, and switching to max rating 350 is gonna make it taller and stiffer. May ride like a hay wagon, but i really would like this truck to ride better, when its holding a hay bale, or pulling something like this mornings tractor to the mechanic....


For people who want to know, the green paint weighs about 9k. I havent checked it, but i think the hauler is about 2k

 

Bag it, will help tremendously with ride quality, and will level the truck and that trailer at least weight 3.5-4.5k and that tractor looks like weights more than 9k.

 

If i bag it.... i need to add other stuff, switches, wiring, air compressor.... was thinking the k.i.s.s. method would be springs....

 

Yes but it it will ride better and level better, adding 350 springs will do nothing as they are the same between the 250 and 350, if you add stiffer springs or add more springs your truck will ride like ****z guaranteed,

In your pics that tractor look big, not as heavy as I thought it was.

 

I was curious, so i went to the coop, the trailer is 6k

 

I figured that trailer was heavy but that was a little heavier than I had in mind. I'm a K I S S guy myself. Check with AT Springs, they'll assemble whatever you need. You don't have to go with just any standard. They are popular with us here and it is for good reason.

 

I replaced the springs in my F-250 with OEM replacements, but I "bagged" my truck. As Adam says, it rides very nice with the Bilstein shocks and I can bring it up to unloaded height (level) within 30 seconds of pushing the button on the compressor remote.

You don't have to get all fancy and you can K.I.S.S. still with air bags.

You already have your bed off, so the install would be a piece of cake.

This is the wireless compressor I have that I mounted above the spare tire between the bed rail and the bed: Wireless One compressor

This is the air bag kit I bought, but I would NOT recommend this kit: Air Lift 88390 with internal jounce

Over the winter, I will be removing the over the axle brackets and installing the over the spring brackets like Wes444 and many others have done: Air Lift 88298 air bag kit

The air bags (minus the brackets) and compressor have been working flawlessly for 5 years. I have 2 presets on the remote, one for 5 PSI (unloaded) and one for 45 PSI (our 5th wheel on) and I simply push the preset button I want to air to and it is done in 30 seconds or less. If I need to air up higher to 80 PSI for example, I simply push the preset button and when it reaches 45 PSI, I push the up button until the display reaches 80.

I plumbed in a back up Schrader valve to the rear license plate area in case the compressor fails one day. I can still put air in or let air out without even getting under the truck or bending down that far.

I travel long distance with my truck and 5th wheel and really need the truck to be level, safe and comfortable. I could have left the springs the way they were as they only sagged about 1.5" with a 38 ft 5th wheel on the back, but that was not a good long distance and long term solution. I also use the truck to haul firewood, concrete and stone. Again, having a level and safe truck is the goal and I am confident in the ability of the truck with air bags.

Air bags are not for everyone, but they are simple to use and are very comfortable.

If you decide to stick with just the springs, there is nothing wrong with that. It is your truck and your method of achieving your goals that is important. As Mark said above, ATS are great to deal with and SD Truck Springs can be as well. That is who I bought my springs and hardware from as they had a sale and a military discount going on at the time. Was a no brainer for me since I only wanted OEM replacement.

Keep us updated and we love the pictures of these old trucks working.

 

Well.... you guys never disappoint when it comes to sending me off down a rabbit trail.... read wes's write up. Good info, confirmed what i was already starting to think, that i could, and likely would go manual, he just educated me to split... then off down the airlift trail.... because they have at least 4, or 5, if not even more kits, that fit these trucks, based on setup... that reese kit, no go, because im a b&w... then i learn, there are two install options and the airbag only works with one, but not the other, at all..... of course, ill have to go confirm, but it looks like mine is installed in the no go position....
with the bed on, id be dang near crying at the idea... with the bed off, well.... if i decide to go for it, then ill remount my gooseneck 3 inches further forward, and move on with my life, probably all at once, move the ball, and mount the bags.
right now im thinking i could drill holes in my ranchhand rear bumper, on either side of the license plate, and air the bags up manually from there. When i bumper tow, i use the reciver, anyway, so i think they would be safe enough there....

 

We do aim to please... Air Lift is not the only game in town, so shop around a bit and if you want to piece together your own brackets and kit, ETrailer is the ticket.

I can help with specific part numbers and links if you want to go that route, too much info to list if you are not interested.

I really like air bags, but I get it they are not for everyone and I am OK with that. I just want you to make the best decision for your application.

 

I noticed there are plenty of options, but i found some airlifts, open box discounted, so just a little over 200$, instead of over 3, or 5, in the reese kits case. So, if they are still available tomorrow, i will start them trvaeling my way, so i can get this stuff done, and get my bed remounted, i have a new to me bale spike that needs to be wired in before i start putting hay in the field.