adjusting the suspension?
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 372
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From: Colorado
adjusting the suspension?
Can anyone direct me to a simple site without a lot of jargon which will help me understand suspensions and how they operate. Here's why.
LOML has arthuritus pretty bad in her neck and back. As a result she hates riding in the 350 because it is hung so stiffly (no pun intended). Every time I hid a small bump it jars her painfully. When the truck is loaded with the camper the ride smooths out and she's OK. But when the truck is unloaded it's a problem for us.
So, I'm looking at trying to come up with some kind of adjustable shock system and understand what I'm doing so LOML can ride and be comfortable. I don't have any objection to spending whatever it takes to get her comfortable but I don't want to just throw money at the problem helter skelter without knowing why.
LOML has arthuritus pretty bad in her neck and back. As a result she hates riding in the 350 because it is hung so stiffly (no pun intended). Every time I hid a small bump it jars her painfully. When the truck is loaded with the camper the ride smooths out and she's OK. But when the truck is unloaded it's a problem for us.
So, I'm looking at trying to come up with some kind of adjustable shock system and understand what I'm doing so LOML can ride and be comfortable. I don't have any objection to spending whatever it takes to get her comfortable but I don't want to just throw money at the problem helter skelter without knowing why.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,221
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From: Dallas
Hmm... scrap the leaf springs and use a air-bagged 4-link....
http://www.keldermanmfg.com/category.php?id=1 That is a company who specializes in this sort of thing... It might be worth your while to give them a call and chat with them, might be able to work something out for you. The great thing about the air-bags would be letting you have your smooth ride for regular driving, but also keep your ability to haul heavy loads, including your camper.
...throw weight in the bed so that it rides all the time as if you had that camper on...
...adjustable shocks can help, but I doubt as much as you would like...
http://www.keldermanmfg.com/category.php?id=1 That is a company who specializes in this sort of thing... It might be worth your while to give them a call and chat with them, might be able to work something out for you. The great thing about the air-bags would be letting you have your smooth ride for regular driving, but also keep your ability to haul heavy loads, including your camper.
...throw weight in the bed so that it rides all the time as if you had that camper on...
...adjustable shocks can help, but I doubt as much as you would like...
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 950
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From: Michigan
you could try velvet ride shackles. they would be cheaper than air ride but the air ride would provide the best ride. http://www.lord.com//Default.aspx?tabid=872
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 372
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From: Colorado
I'm basing my ride quality on my 04 350 SD. My guru at ford just told me the 05's have major design changes and use coil springs rather than leaf so that makes the ride different altogether. That's encouraging - so I think I'll risk trying new Blistine's & 500# of sand in the back as a more economical approach befor I put $1400 into air bags.
I appreciate all the suggestions gent's. I'll continue to hang around and offer whatever bit of wisdom I have.
I appreciate all the suggestions gent's. I'll continue to hang around and offer whatever bit of wisdom I have.
