Rough Country leveling Spring Question

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Feb 10, 2022 | 08:59 AM

mikemass

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Rough Country leveling Spring Question

Need some advice on these:
https://www.roughcountry.com/ford-le...-kit-9285.html

I'm looking to level my '08 F250, crew cab, 6.4L PSD

A few specs:
All stock suspension, except for my Rancho RS5000X shocks (front and rear)
Stock wheels and tires - 275/70R18
Door jamb sticker says my Front GAWR is 5600Lbs & Spring Code DDFF
So I imagine my stock coil springs are the 5600 lbs ones
My truck DOES NOT have the snow plow package.

Question:
How will the springs I linked above from Rough Country compare to my current set up if I change nothing else?

Note:
I am not an off-roader. I do not haul heavy. I am not looking to get bigger wheels/tires.

I was going to get a cheapo 1.5" or 2" spacers. But I am considering new Springs in an effort to not only get my truck higher in the front, but also get a better ride, as it absolutely sucks now. I feel it has worsened in recent years. Every slight imperfection is the road is jarring. Forget about potholes, It's so bad, my seat belt actually locks up.

If not these Rough Country Springs, suggestions on how to achieve these two goals of a leveled truck and better ride?

Feb 10, 2022 | 09:35 AM

redford

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From: Stephensville WI

I'm curious, why would you have an expectation that putting these Rough Country leveling springs on your front axle would result in a softer ride?

Feb 10, 2022 | 09:58 AM

mikemass

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Honestly, I don't. That is why I am asking. All these after market Coil Springs talk in term of "better performance than OEM" But I don't know what that means. Better performance how? Ride quality? Off Road capabilities? That is why I am trying to be clear on my goals. Because when I read these reviews and they claim "Ride is Great. Sooo much better than OEM". I am wondering, are they trying to justify in their own mind the purchase they just made or does a stiffer spring offer a smoother ride??

If you look at the OEM springs there a like 6 options ranging from 4400 lbs to 7000 lbs! I assume my 5600 stock ones are "harsher" than say the 4800 ones? Do I have that right? And if we are trying to compare apples to apples, where does the Rough Country one fall in this range?

Feb 10, 2022 | 10:50 AM

redford

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From: Stephensville WI

You have Power Stroke. I wouldn't drop your spring rate below stock. You need to support a heavy engine.

Maybe you need to explore how to improve your ride. Taking 10 or 15 pounds of air out of the front tires will improve your ride. Rancho RS-9000 shocks, dialed to the softest setting, will also help

Tire size? More sidewall to flex means a better ride.

Weight? A few hundred pounds of sandbags in the bed helps.

Feb 10, 2022 | 11:26 AM

mikemass

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Thanks, But I still don't understand this Spring Rate to ride comfort relationship.

The higher the number on the Spring Rate, the harsher the ride? Or the other way around?

I get what you are saying about not going below stock with the PSD - But what I don't understand is what happens if I go higher? i.e a 6000 or 6500 OEM spring? Does that give me a more comfortable ride or a harsher one?
And back to the Rough Country Springs, where are those relative to my 5600lb ones? Higher or lower?

To your Q's above:
275/70R18 -Michelin's
Already run all 4 at 50-52 PSI as opposed to the 65 suggested on the door jamb sticker.
Will consider the Rancho 9000's. Although when I bought the 5000's it was my understanding they were supposed to be quite "soft"

Feb 10, 2022 | 12:10 PM

nydiver

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Joined: Jun 2009

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From: Lakeland, MN

Spring rate is different than load rate. Spring rate is the amount of force required to deflect the spring 1", the load rate or rating is the amount of weight the spring can safely handle.

So your magic spring would need a load rating of 5600 or higher but with a same or lower (for a "softer" ride) spring rate. What you would be looking for is a spring with spaced out coils that then gets closer coils, called a progressive rate. Unloaded they have a lower spring rate (they compress in the spaced out area easier) but then when loaded it squats a little then the tighter coils slow the spring rate down and take the load.