Help with stiff front suspension.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 140
Likes: 2
Help with stiff front suspension.
I need some input on trying to improve the ride on the front end of my 2020 F250. It has the 4400# springs. But even with the tire pressure dropped some, its too harsh. And before you all chide me, yes, i know its not a half ton! Ive driven 3/4 and 1 tons my entire life, and this is the stiffest front end Ive had on a 250.
Is there a softer spring with the same ride height out there that I could look into. I don't think ford offers a lower rated spring, so I'm probably looking at aftermarket, but any input would be great.
Is there a softer spring with the same ride height out there that I could look into. I don't think ford offers a lower rated spring, so I'm probably looking at aftermarket, but any input would be great.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 8,640
Likes: 2,435
I think you are correct in that being the lowest spring rate. It makes it that much more surprising that you find the ride to be so bad. Finding an even lighter spring rate that keeps the same height will be challenging, that will require it to be a longer spring. This is 2wd?
Edit- I found a list posted that showed a spring rate as low as 3800. If that is actually an option you would have to run a spacer to keep the same ride height.
Edit- I found a list posted that showed a spring rate as low as 3800. If that is actually an option you would have to run a spacer to keep the same ride height.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 5,885
Likes: 3,512
From: Uh oh, CA
Maybe try to different shocks? Some say that the Fox 2.0’s improve their ride… other than that, how much are you aired down to? Also, what size tires and wheels you got? A larger tire on an 18 would be barely more comfortable than on a 20” wheel, but would still help. Others may help more but I’m not sure how much softer you’ll get without going to a half ton truck… I have the 5990 springs on my front end and I love the way it rides. I did swap to Bilstein shocks and slightly larger 295/70/18’s that are aired down to 53 psi up front and 48 at the rear. Between the better tires and shocks and aired down, I think it rides great, but yeah, I still know I’m in a truck…
And FWIW, mine is a diesel, which also has more than 3000 lb of payload!
And FWIW, mine is a diesel, which also has more than 3000 lb of payload!
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 4,025
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if you have 4400 lb springs I assume OP you have a gas motor. You can air down to 40 psi with no issues when empty on the stock 275/70R18 AT tires and still support up to about 4500 lbs of front axle weight, rear can go even lower. Some SDs with diesel motors in 250/2500 class ride better due to heavier front end, but it also won't have 3k of payload.
Mine is set to 50 front and 45 rear when unloaded and it rides phenomenally. I increase mostly rear air pressure when hooked up to a trailer or have stuff in the bed.
Mine is set to 50 front and 45 rear when unloaded and it rides phenomenally. I increase mostly rear air pressure when hooked up to a trailer or have stuff in the bed.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,477
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Yeah, shocks have more to do with the so called "harsh" ride than that spring rate.
Something adjustable, set on their softest setting, would do more for ride than different springs.
Rancho 9000 series are adjustable.
Personally, my F250 rides pretty well, only thing you could call "harsh" is going over sharp bumps, asphalt ridges, holes in the road.
Something adjustable, set on their softest setting, would do more for ride than different springs.
Rancho 9000 series are adjustable.
Personally, my F250 rides pretty well, only thing you could call "harsh" is going over sharp bumps, asphalt ridges, holes in the road.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 140
Likes: 2
Yes, the 2020 is a 7.3 gas. I did find a post for a 4x4 F250 with a 4000# front suspension, but I am not having any luck finding an oem spring code online. If i could find that spring I could put it on, knowing that I'd loose a little ride height., but I do have the 1.5" leveling kit, so there is a little bit of extra clearance for the bump stop.
Ive got a stretch of pavement I live on that has alot of cracks and man, this rig lets you know every one of them. My other rigs you could feel them, but this truck really has a harsh jolt to it.
I suppose it could be shocks related, but I'm not sure that can be the whole issue.
Ive got a stretch of pavement I live on that has alot of cracks and man, this rig lets you know every one of them. My other rigs you could feel them, but this truck really has a harsh jolt to it.
I suppose it could be shocks related, but I'm not sure that can be the whole issue.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 4,025
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According to this post
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...g-codes-3.html
the PP code is the softest one available for non tremors, which makes sense, my 22, which is same as 20 for all intent and purpose, has door jam sticker showing NN and is listed as 4800 lb gross front axle weight limit. Perhaps you could try finding a set of LC3C-5310-AWA but then make sure you do a thorough check of your front end alignment specs.
The 4000 lb springs I have seen referenced are all 17-19 spec sheets so you will need to find the part number to go with them.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...g-codes-3.html
Here is the list of 2020-2022 springs:
Tremor (~0.5-1” taller than non-tremor equivalent coils)
LC3C-5310-AWA (LAW) - ???
LC3C-5310-AVA (LAV)/ Door Spring code 66xx- 4,800
LC3C-5310-ATA (LAT)/ Door Spring code 77xx- 5,200
LC3C-5310-ASA (LAS)/ Door Spring code 88xx - 5,600
Non-Tremor
LC3C-5310-APA (LAP)/ Door Spring code PPxx- 4,400
LC3C-5310-ANA (LAN)/ Door Spring Code NNxx - 4,800
LC3C-5310-AMA (LAM)/ Door Spring Code MMxx - 5,200
LC3C-5310-ALA (LAL)/ Door Spring Code LLxx- 5,600
LC3C-5310-AKA (LAK)/ Door Spring Code KKxx - 5,990/6,000
One I’m not sure of is LC3C-5310-AWA. Its a longer length spring similar to the Tremors and lighter weight than the 4,800 LAV one. Maybe someone can confirm, but I’d guess it’s a Tremor 4,400?
Lastly a lot of Ford part sites will translate these “codes” to Ford part numbers that you can order. No logic behind the part number translations but Google can help make this step easy if you need to order new ones.
Tremor (~0.5-1” taller than non-tremor equivalent coils)
LC3C-5310-AWA (LAW) - ???
LC3C-5310-AVA (LAV)/ Door Spring code 66xx- 4,800
LC3C-5310-ATA (LAT)/ Door Spring code 77xx- 5,200
LC3C-5310-ASA (LAS)/ Door Spring code 88xx - 5,600
Non-Tremor
LC3C-5310-APA (LAP)/ Door Spring code PPxx- 4,400
LC3C-5310-ANA (LAN)/ Door Spring Code NNxx - 4,800
LC3C-5310-AMA (LAM)/ Door Spring Code MMxx - 5,200
LC3C-5310-ALA (LAL)/ Door Spring Code LLxx- 5,600
LC3C-5310-AKA (LAK)/ Door Spring Code KKxx - 5,990/6,000
One I’m not sure of is LC3C-5310-AWA. Its a longer length spring similar to the Tremors and lighter weight than the 4,800 LAV one. Maybe someone can confirm, but I’d guess it’s a Tremor 4,400?
Lastly a lot of Ford part sites will translate these “codes” to Ford part numbers that you can order. No logic behind the part number translations but Google can help make this step easy if you need to order new ones.
The 4000 lb springs I have seen referenced are all 17-19 spec sheets so you will need to find the part number to go with them.
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Stephensville WI
Call a spring shop in your area and ask them if they can help. Custom springs are not as expensive as you would think.
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Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 140
Likes: 2
"spring shop in my area" HA HA, thats funny! Just giving ya hard time. I live in BFE, no such thing here.
So I found the Ford number for a '19' 4000# spring. it is F81A-5310-ACD, and then another number, 5C3Z-5310-HA. Says for an 05 to 19 superduty. I don't have enough experience to know if they will go on a 2020.
So I found the Ford number for a '19' 4000# spring. it is F81A-5310-ACD, and then another number, 5C3Z-5310-HA. Says for an 05 to 19 superduty. I don't have enough experience to know if they will go on a 2020.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,477
Likes: 4,973
"spring shop in my area" HA HA, thats funny! Just giving ya hard time. I live in BFE, no such thing here.
So I found the Ford number for a '19' 4000# spring. it is F81A-5310-ACD, and then another number, 5C3Z-5310-HA. Says for an 05 to 19 superduty. I don't have enough experience to know if they will go on a 2020.
So I found the Ford number for a '19' 4000# spring. it is F81A-5310-ACD, and then another number, 5C3Z-5310-HA. Says for an 05 to 19 superduty. I don't have enough experience to know if they will go on a 2020.
It is a 4x4???
And, springs are different starting in 2020 because Ford lowered the ride height a little.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,946
Likes: 1,359
From: NY/Canada border
Yeah, shocks have more to do with the so called "harsh" ride than that spring rate.
Something adjustable, set on their softest setting, would do more for ride than different springs.
Rancho 9000 series are adjustable.
Personally, my F250 rides pretty well, only thing you could call "harsh" is going over sharp bumps, asphalt ridges, holes in the road.
Something adjustable, set on their softest setting, would do more for ride than different springs.
Rancho 9000 series are adjustable.
Personally, my F250 rides pretty well, only thing you could call "harsh" is going over sharp bumps, asphalt ridges, holes in the road.
