Hello

First I want to say that this is my first post, but I have used the site and I have found it to be very helpful. Thanks to the great members. I have a 02 F250 PSD SC SB. I would like to add some suspension stiffness to reduce squat when towing my trailer. I would also like to give a bit more room to add larger tires when the time comes. I don't want to do anything too drastic (a few inches)but I was hoping that someone could give some suggestions of good brands or places to buy or look to get the best performance and price. I was thinking of Add-a-leafs in the rear and Front. Thanks in advance

 

Welcome to FTE.
I would find a spring shop close to you,
Just get an extra leaf for each of the stock springs in front.
For the rear I would go with a set of overload springs. The holes are already in the frame to bolt the perches on, and when you are not towing or hauling the ride will be about the same as it is now. I added two main spring leafs to each of my rear springs when i replaced them the last time. It rides like a truck now, but I have no problem hauling a bunch of weight.

 

I think Rancho makes add-a-leaf for front and back, I have BDS in the front and the work good.

 

You should look into air bags for the rear. They are there when you need them but not when you don't. A buddy of mine just put then on his 150 and wow, what a difference when he has his trailer hooked up. The truck stayes level now. You can use an on board compressor to inflate them or (like my buddy did) you can use a standard tire chuck.

 

Don't go add a leaf if you call most Off road shop and talk to some one thats been around they will tell you dont go add a leaf and they will tell you why.

I did the add a leaf back in the 80's I said never again.
They force you spring to a new arc that make for a harsh ride and it hard on the OEM Springs.

Like the others have been saying get you rear springs re-arced at a spring shop or air bags.

Air Bags are cool As long you have on board compresser with self leveling valve installed.
As you put more load on them they will add more air and level them self's and give you a good ride and not loaded they de-air them selfs and give you a good ride you dont have you'r you head light Adj going out of wack every time you tow and blinding on comming traffic and the on comming drivers calling you names.

If you don't have a on board commpresser you going to air them de-air them you self like old school Air shocks.

 

lol, they don't force your springs to a new arch, they keep the arch where it is supposed to be. You have a superduty and they're just not strong enough for towing so go to your local spring shop and have a leaf added. Stick around a 401 gauge and it will stiffen it up slightly but not much and will actually handle better once you get it on. Do not go with air bags because they are sensitive and one rock in the right place and they're blown. Overloads are also an option for the rear but this won't help with your towing until they engage and are actually quite expensive for the entire setup vs add a leaf. This is my job and I've done all of the above mentioned and by far and away the best method is an add a leaf. If it's too stiff then you got too thick of a gauge. The suspensions can't carry anything anymore because of all these guys that want their truck to ride like a cadillac therefore sacrificing towing and hauling capacity. Anyone telling you an add a leaf is not the way to go is trying to sell you something they have. Of course an off road shop is gonna tell you not to because they probably think the truck is for off roading and not being used as a truck for hauling or towing. As soon as you tell them it's a supeduty they should realize it's for doing work. If they say it's bad for hauling then I would defenitely like to have a conversation with these not so special specialist.

 

How much does adding-a-leaf on the front affect ride quality? Sounds like an inexpensive way to level the truck out, but if it beats my wife to death when she's riding in the passenger seat then the complaining wont be worth saving the money.

 

Depends if you have a 250 or 350 because the 250 you can use a thinner gauge such as 401 to level it out and be ok with ride but if it's a 350 then it has the 4" block in the rear and you're going to have to use a 499 gauge to level it which will stiffen it up but I've never had anyone come back or call and say it was too stiff.

 

frankly thats what equilizer hitches are for, adding leafs, air bags, all great for in bed loading but ifin the tongue of a trailer is makin yo truck squat that far it is taking VALUEABLE control weight off your front end. Adding more spring in the rear will make it level but the affect on the weight transfer will be exactly the same as with the stock set up. after all torque is force times distance and tongue weight isnt changing(force) and the distance from the rear axle centerline to the ball (distance)isn't changing so unless its a goose neck or fifth wheel the onle proper thing is an equalizer hitch!!!!!!
bu the way i have a 99 f250sd with 2 extra leafs on each side and an explorer pro comp 4 in lift with 325's, it sits 3 inches up in back and is still raked with a bed FULL of dirt/ stone/whatever. When i towed a 36 ft travel trailer without an eq hitch the rear barely moved but the rocking was unbearable the truck literally pivoted over the rear axle and the front went up instead of the back goin down, i put the eq on and whala no more understeer, no more rockin, just control, muck more important than an ego

Now i got a fifth wheel wit h a 1500lb tongue and the truck only bsquats 7/8 in at the wheels and 1/4 of that is the tires!!!!1

 

I have a F250. Forgive me if this is a dumb question, but where can I find 401 guage leafs? Is there a certain brand name that uses this guage? Thanks for the help.

 

I've had the air bags in the rear in previous trucks. They are great. Just pump them up to where it is needed for towing then when you get to where you are going to be at just let the air out ( leave a little in) for a comfortable ride around sightseeing.

 

I did a ton of research before i added my rough country add a leafs to the front, and the general concensus was the add a leafs for my application and needs.I wanted to run 285's with no clearence issues,and level my truck. My truck is still about an inch higher in the rear, but pulling my 36ft TT it sets perfectly level. Rough country(or was it tuff country?) add a leafs are less than a 100.00 shipped,, and about a 2-3 hr job installing. I got right at 1 7/8" of lift in the front end and the ride is not harsh at all. It is a little firmer but no where near harsh and took alot of the lean out when cornering.I love it,, would do it again in a heartbeat.

 

Where did you order your add-a-leaf from? I think Rough Country is the company who makes the add-a-leaf for our truck. Sounds like you got a good deal. Thanks.

 

For what it is worth I have a set of Ride Rite air bags on the front of my truck for snow plow season. They have been there for 10 years. No problems at all. They see lots of gravel roads, lots of muddy construction sites, many highway miles and all kinds of snow, ice, cinders and salt. I wish a lot of other components on my truck were as durable as those air bags have been.

 

Call your local spring shop and have them make you one cause then you don't have to wait for it to be shipped and will cost the same or maybe even less and it's better steel and you can decide on your gauge. Support your local shops and use the lift companies for lift kits, not add a leaf