Can suspension be modified...
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 417
Likes: 7
From: Olympic Peninsula, WA USA
Can suspension be modified...
You could spend big bucks on an air ride suspension. Guaranteed to work.
Some guys have put Velvet ride shackles on, but I hear it's not a major improvement.
I've found the best and cheapest thing to do is adjust the tire air pressure. If you don't have a load in the bed, you can drop the pressure way down. My normal computer is down, so I don't have my inflation chart handy. From memory, the rear axle will have about 2700 lbs on it on an empty truck. I think 40 psi is sufficient. If your running the 70 psi recommended on the door jamb of the truck you'll have a unnecesarily harsh ride. The values on the door jamb are assuming a truck loaded to it's max capacity. If you run lower pressure, just make sure to bump it back up before carrying a heavy load.
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2000 F350 CC DRW Lariat 4x4 LWB 4R100 V10 4.30ls with Torklift tie-downs/Superhitch and Rancho RS9000 and Ride-Rite air springs.
1998 Alpenlite Pendelton 11'10" Slide-in camper with all options.
Some guys have put Velvet ride shackles on, but I hear it's not a major improvement.
I've found the best and cheapest thing to do is adjust the tire air pressure. If you don't have a load in the bed, you can drop the pressure way down. My normal computer is down, so I don't have my inflation chart handy. From memory, the rear axle will have about 2700 lbs on it on an empty truck. I think 40 psi is sufficient. If your running the 70 psi recommended on the door jamb of the truck you'll have a unnecesarily harsh ride. The values on the door jamb are assuming a truck loaded to it's max capacity. If you run lower pressure, just make sure to bump it back up before carrying a heavy load.
----------------------------------------
2000 F350 CC DRW Lariat 4x4 LWB 4R100 V10 4.30ls with Torklift tie-downs/Superhitch and Rancho RS9000 and Ride-Rite air springs.
1998 Alpenlite Pendelton 11'10" Slide-in camper with all options.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 224
Likes: 2
Can suspension be modified...
I'm not sure about the old body style F-250 and F-350 but, the spring rates are the same on 99-01 super duties. Deflection rate of 320/670 lbs per in. That's for both F-250's and F-350's. I think the trucks ride quite well as long as you don't have the tires to the max. psi and an empty truck.
New User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Can suspension be modified...
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 16-Oct-01 AT 06:01 PM (EST)[/font][p]Harald, can you post or send me that inflation chart when you get a chance. I've got a 2000 F-350, 4wd, crew cab, long bed that I occasionally use for towing and it works great. Unfortunately, the rest of the time my wife hauls the kids around in it and I'm afraid the youngest is going to have shaken baby syndrome before he reaches the ripe ol' age of one. Do you deflate just the rear tires or both front and rear? Thanks.
Dave
Dave
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
Can suspension be modified...
I have an 01, x-code f-250 SD PSD 4x4 reg cab long bed 6 speed.
when it's empty I run the tire psi @ front = 53 rear = 50
when the truck is full, fire wood etc. front 58, rear 65
pulling my trailer, 11,600 pounds. front 55 rear 68
when it's empty the ride is a little harsher than my old 97 250 PSD 4x2 but not bad. when I first got the truck, tire psi was at 70 and it would beat you pretty bad.
when it's empty I run the tire psi @ front = 53 rear = 50
when the truck is full, fire wood etc. front 58, rear 65
pulling my trailer, 11,600 pounds. front 55 rear 68
when it's empty the ride is a little harsher than my old 97 250 PSD 4x2 but not bad. when I first got the truck, tire psi was at 70 and it would beat you pretty bad.
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Tuned
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 417
Likes: 7
From: Olympic Peninsula, WA USA
Can suspension be modified...
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 16-Oct-01 AT 06:01 PM (EST)[/font]
Harald, can you post or send me that inflation chart when you get a chance. I've got a 2000 F-350, 4wd, crew cab, long bed that I occasionally use for towing and it works great. Unfortunately, the rest of the time my wife hauls the kids around in it and I'm afraid the youngest is going to have shaken baby syndrome before he reaches the ripe ol' age of one. Do you deflate just the rear tires or both front and rear? Thanks.
Dave
Harald, can you post or send me that inflation chart when you get a chance. I've got a 2000 F-350, 4wd, crew cab, long bed that I occasionally use for towing and it works great. Unfortunately, the rest of the time my wife hauls the kids around in it and I'm afraid the youngest is going to have shaken baby syndrome before he reaches the ripe ol' age of one. Do you deflate just the rear tires or both front and rear? Thanks.
Dave
You can view a tire inflation table for LT235/85-16 tires at www.trucktires.com .
Here’s the inflation table for the LT265/75R16 Firestone Steeltex tire
Weight Pressure
1910 35
2100 40
2280 45
2470 50
2625 55
2790 60
3000 65
3105 70
3260 75
3415 80
65-74mph add 10psi
75-84mph add 10psi & decrease load 10%
----------------------------------------
2000 F350 CC DRW Lariat 4x4 LWB 4R100 V10 4.30ls with Torklift tie-downs/Superhitch and Rancho RS9000 and Ride-Rite air springs.
1998 Alpenlite Pendelton 11'10" Slide-in camper with all options.
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