I have a 24 350 xlt ccsb 4x4 7.3 gasser. I know these are considered work trucks but I will not be towing heavy equipment or having skids of bricks in the bed. My question is can 1 or both of the overload springs be removed from the rear



to improve the ride when the truck is empty? I have adjusted the air pressure down which has helped some. I know it will not ride like a Lincoln but just looking for some improvement. Thank you.

 

Spring rate is what you're needing to change to get a softer ride. Just removing springs is not going to change the spring rate of the remaining springs. The unloaded harshness will hardly change. Replace your spring pack with the F250 or aftermarket with a lower spring rate.

 

That overload spring really does not come into play unless you're on some really bad roads.

You probably have 2 to 3 in before that engages. I doubt you'll see a difference. The rear will engage first.

To answer your question, yes you can remove that but you will need new u-bolts.

 

Besides you can or you like the looks why buy a F350 to make it a F150?
Silliness.

 

Overload springs dont do anything until they touch the ears on the frame... so no removing them wont do anything...

And your springs are likely the softest factory available springs that are out there unless you have the camper package or the plow package...

Aftermarket Deaver spring packs can be had in lower rates.

I have a similar truck except a Lariat and I run 50lbs front and 45lbs in the rear when unloaded.

 

I wouldn't remove either overload spring. The top auxiliary spring, as others have pointed out, doesn't even engage until 3" or so of suspension travel. The bottom overload also shouldn't be contributing much to the ride until under load. The suggestion to go with the standard 250 leafs or aftermarket might be the way to go. The standard 250 leaf packs only have 3 leafs total, 2 mains and a bottom overload.

 

My overload springs are within 1/2 inch of touching the upper spring stop when static in driveway and 2300-2400 pounds in the bed. So those springs get used for ever single bump I hit.

2300 pounds is only a little over half what a SRW F350 can carry.

 

I would just add 400-500 pounds of whatever in the bed for a better ride before I started pulling stuff off the truck.

 

What......carry weight in an empty truck for a better ride. Now that makes sense...won't happen.

 

Thanks for the replies. I had an 18 250KR that rode fantastic so I was just trying to get your thoughts on some ideas to soften the ride up. Thanks again.

 

Perhaps look into a Carli progressive leaf pack. They are tuned for softer ride. It will lower your payload 15% but that doesn’t seem to an issue for your use.

 

Sorry, one more: perhaps look into Sulastic shackles too?

 

You went from an F250 to an F350 and expected the ride to be the same or softer? That's...not how it works. Your reasoning for stepping up to an F350 is your own, but it sounds like it may not have been the right choice.

First thing I'd try is lower air pressures in the tires - it's free to do and might get you where you want to be. Just be aware that lower tire pressures WILL change how it handles.

Try getting a few sand bags if you don't regularly haul anything and toss them in the bed. Often just a little weight in the bed of an F350 will ease the ride.

Removing the 'helper' springs and overloads won't really change the ride much, if at all.

Your next option is to get softer springs but you're likely going to lose payload capacity.

After that...I think you'd basically have to buy a different truck, maybe go back to an F250.

 

When fiddling with the rear leafs don't forget the front springs. Don't want a soft azz and a stiff front.... or do you?

 

Changing to all season or highway tires that ride softer and have a taller sidewall could also help. Keep an eye on the minimum tire load rating. You can use Forscan to set the tire pressure threshold lower so that you don't have constant low tire pressure warnings.

I run 12-ply mudders 33x12.5x20 at 75psi in my F-350 and nobody complains about a harsh empty ride. I tow a big RV with my SCLB w/snowplow & camper pkgs, 6.7L and when its loaded its like a Lincoln Town Car. My next set will likely be all season 295/65R20 10-ply as I have a spare set of mounted Nexen studded snow tires for severe weather.

I did order a '25 Maverick Lariat hybrid AWD for commuting and errands and they ride like a car. It will also be able to be parked easily, can haul 1,500lbs and tow 4,000lbs. This will allow my Superduty to last longer by keeping my 104 mile daily commute from racking up miles.