When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hey guys, first post.
I have a 2017 6.2 gas F250 that I purchased new off the lot, “almost” 9 years ago. Truck has 164,000 trouble free miles, still running on the original U-joints. Total maintain has been 1 coil, and spark plugs at 100,000. Now that I’m saying this out loud.. it will probably eat a valve spring 😂
I mostly travel highway miles and tow very little and only occasionally have the bed loaded down. The only downside has been the brutal ride. I have decided the truck is a long term keeper, so I looked into improving the ride quality.
Had the Sulastic shackles installed yesterday. Wow, what a difference!! Should have gone this route 120,000 miles back! These are amazing, expensive but amazing. They really take the spinal jam out of hitting rail road tracks.
The next order of business is a custom set of front coils rated at 25% less than the OEM spring rate of the current coils, same OEM ride height. The coils are ordered and I’ll post an update once they are on the truck. There’s no snow to plow on Texas Gulf coast and I don’t carry around a 200lb bumper. For my use I see little need for coils this stiff, especially with the light 6.2.
I’m enjoying the great info on this site, hope to contribute to the tribal knowledge 😊
thanks
Because advancement in design and technology lets us do what we used to, but better (sometimes). I won't argue that my F-450 rode better stock than dads OBS 1996 F-350 SRW ever did. It's even better empty with the Sulastic shackles without reducing the payload.
Why does ppl buy a Super Duty & complain about a harsh ride
it’s a H/D truck made to tow & haul heavy loads & they do it very well.
s.
if a mack truck can ride like a caddy why cant ford build a light duty or medium duty truck that doesnt try to shake itself apart while driving it on the road......cant deny there is a problem when folks are either changing shocks, adding air bags, adding enhanced bump stops, or the dangerous habit of deflating the tires in the hopes of a better ride.
More upgrades. I ordered a set of custom front coils from Coil Spring Specialities in KS. They provided an OEM height ride with 25% rate reduction. These guys did a great job with these springs, exactly as I ordered, truck sits right at the OEM stance.
between the new coils and the Sulastic shackles the truck now rides well. Total dollars in around $1,300 and should have done this 5 yrs ago.
To answer “why buy a HD truck”… I’ve owned 6 Chevy 4x4s and my last truck was a 2500 Dodge Cummins truck, which I drove for 441,000 miles. Of all my “HD” trucks, this F250 rode the worse. I bought this truck without a test ride “assuming” it would at least ride as well as a 97 Dodge, my 75 K5 ride better than this truck lol. These trucks are unnecessarily harsh. I love the truck, but hated the ride. Point of the post is this can be cured for less than a lift kit if you like your truck and intend to keep it but hate the rough ride.
BTW it still rides like a HD truck, the mods only soften the bumps, less teeth rattling. Takes a lot of fatigue out of long drives.
Hey guys, first post.
I have a 2017 6.2 gas F250 that I purchased new off the lot, “almost” 9 years ago. Truck has 164,000 trouble free miles, still running on the original U-joints. Total maintain has been 1 coil, and spark plugs at 100,000. Now that I’m saying this out loud.. it will probably eat a valve spring 😂
I mostly travel highway miles and tow very little and only occasionally have the bed loaded down. The only downside has been the brutal ride. I have decided the truck is a long term keeper, so I looked into improving the ride quality.
Had the Sulastic shackles installed yesterday. Wow, what a difference!! Should have gone this route 120,000 miles back! These are amazing, expensive but amazing. They really take the spinal jam out of hitting rail road tracks.
The next order of business is a custom set of front coils rated at 25% less than the OEM spring rate of the current coils, same OEM ride height. The coils are ordered and I’ll post an update once they are on the truck. There’s no snow to plow on Texas Gulf coast and I don’t carry around a 200lb bumper. For my use I see little need for coils this stiff, especially with the light 6.2.
I’m enjoying the great info on this site, hope to contribute to the tribal knowledge 😊
thanks
good grief, went to their website to check them out. WTF, did a 5th grader put this together? How did you even figure out what to get? If they can't field a website, I wonder how their support it for the product?
Last edited by davidpacificnw; Jan 2, 2026 at 09:51 AM.
Coil springs: I called the spring guys, they were referred by a lift kit company. they took the vin # and matched my request to the truck. 3-4 weeks later the springs showed up at the house 🤷🏻♂️ I will say they nailed it.
the Sulastic shackles came from a local 4x4 center. They matched the truck and did the install.
Last edited by Texis2017; Jan 2, 2026 at 10:31 AM.
I just installed these on my 2024 F350 reg cab yesterday. The biggest difference for me is 30 - 45 mph in town. I don't get the rear pogo stick bounce. These should be a factory option.
I did not have any issues with the website. Got them delivered fast. Shipping was within a few days.
Passenger side shackle
Driver side shackle
Last edited by Texas78028; Jan 11, 2026 at 10:57 AM.
Are these recommended for heavy towing & hauling ?
They have a mechanical stop in them so when you're loaded heavy they basically lock out and you're riding on the factory springs again. Get slightly more deflection until it hits that stop. Maybe 1/2" to 1" at most.
Are these recommended for heavy towing & hauling ?
I have owned the regular versions on my prior truck and had no problems with them during the 4 years I owned them…..but…there are complaints of users of the regular versions that the rubber deteriorated after 2 or 3 years and those folks where not happy becuase sulastic only warranties the metal and not the rubber…so replacement with new is needed since the failed ones can’t be rebuilt or revert back to stock.
on my current truck I decided to go with the HD versions. Much larger. Adjustable preload. But the HD versions are a PIA to install with a complex lifting and lowering procedure .
here are stock pics of the stock versions beers the hd versions.
me personally would not get the regular versions for heavy towing or hauling…might sing a different tune if sulastic warranties the rubber for an acceptable amount of years.
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.
