Tires and Pressure
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New User
Joined: Dec 2005
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Tires and Pressure
I want to make my 2004 F250, SuperDuty, CrewCab, V10 to ride as easy as possible. At present I have the 16" stock tires and will keep them until I have to change.
How far can I reduce the air in the tires where there is no load in the backend and not over two people in front. I am willing to give up some tire mileage to get more comfort. I can always increase if I load the truck.
How far can I reduce the air in the tires where there is no load in the backend and not over two people in front. I am willing to give up some tire mileage to get more comfort. I can always increase if I load the truck.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Palm Bay, FL
Am I the only one who doesn't mind my trucks riding like trucks? I'm more concerned with tire life, fuel mileage, and not constantly changing air pressure between towing and what little pleasure driving I do. It also tees me off when, the few times I require dealer service, the techs reduce my air pressure. This has been done even when I had the writer note on the work order to leave the tire pressure alone.
But, like said above....you ought to be satisfied with 42-50 psi range.
But, like said above....you ought to be satisfied with 42-50 psi range.
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New User
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As an old man of 75 with some problems - the riding comfort is somewhat important if I can achieve it. I have had pick-ups of one kind or another for most of my adult life (my first car was a Model T) and I am fully aware of their intended use and how they ride. I know if I wanted a soft wide I should have bought a car - but I have one of those too. Probably at your age I would of said the same thing you said (except did not have the web to say it to the world).
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Joined: Dec 2004
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Cooleydd, you might be 75 but you sound sharp as a tack and that is great. I just turned 55 and my dear old Dad is 79 and still drives down to Yuma every year and we are Canadians so that is a good trip. Take care and it is great to see people your age use the net. My Dad completely refuses to have anything to do with computers and he doesn't realize he is missing out.
I keep my 05 aired up 70 front and rear and really don't feel much of a difference with lower air pressure. I always worry about low pressure causing heat and tire failure, remember the Explorers and the Tombstones, mostly Ford's fault for running lower than recommended air pressure.
Take care and hope to see more of your posts. Check out the friendly V10 forum where you will meet a lot of V10 lovers, Take care, Wrench.
I keep my 05 aired up 70 front and rear and really don't feel much of a difference with lower air pressure. I always worry about low pressure causing heat and tire failure, remember the Explorers and the Tombstones, mostly Ford's fault for running lower than recommended air pressure.
Take care and hope to see more of your posts. Check out the friendly V10 forum where you will meet a lot of V10 lovers, Take care, Wrench.
Last edited by Wrenchtraveller; Dec 8, 2005 at 07:02 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 127
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From: Palm Bay, FL
BWaaaaaa....know what you mean, Cooley. I'm still a relative youngster (60 in Feb), but osteoarthritis and some badly-knit fractures give me fits especially when off-roading. Lately, I've been letting others do most of the wheeling in my trailrig while I enjoy refining my partying act at club meets. I don't know what it is about one of my hips, but on 500 or more mile trips I have to switch to sidesaddle mode to relieve the pain. If I didn't enjoy travelling as much as I do, I'd probably give it up entirely.
As for the Web, my dad will be 86 in Feb and though my kid brother and I have donated several computers to him, he still has me chasing Hot Wheels and KB Toys cars for him. Wish you'd give him a shout and encourage him to get with the program.
The bottom line is, in my perfect world everyone would own a truck, it would be their truck, and I'd be happy for them whatever air pressure they decided to run. It just seems that lately I see more of this air pressure reduction stuff; so much so that dealership techs and oil-change places are doing it without even asking.
May life become even more rewarding and pleasureable for you with each passing year, and Happiest of Holidays to you and yours.
As for the Web, my dad will be 86 in Feb and though my kid brother and I have donated several computers to him, he still has me chasing Hot Wheels and KB Toys cars for him. Wish you'd give him a shout and encourage him to get with the program.
The bottom line is, in my perfect world everyone would own a truck, it would be their truck, and I'd be happy for them whatever air pressure they decided to run. It just seems that lately I see more of this air pressure reduction stuff; so much so that dealership techs and oil-change places are doing it without even asking.
May life become even more rewarding and pleasureable for you with each passing year, and Happiest of Holidays to you and yours.
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Sunny Alberta
Air Pressure vs Ride Quality
To know the minimum air pressure required to support the load on an axle you gotta weigh it with full fuel and your normal passenger load then look up the manufacturer's load table for your particular tire. This takes the guesswork out fo the process and will give you the softest ride while not risking tire failure because of overload/underinflation.
Of course, you'll have to increase the pressure before you add any additional load. As long as you are not overloaded for a given tire pressure, there is no damage or danger. Your mileage might suffer some though because of the increased rolling resistance with minimum pressure.
Greg
Of course, you'll have to increase the pressure before you add any additional load. As long as you are not overloaded for a given tire pressure, there is no damage or danger. Your mileage might suffer some though because of the increased rolling resistance with minimum pressure.
Greg
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Putnam Valley, New York
Tire Pressure
My 03 F-250 regular cab 5.4L truck originally came with code "S" 4000 pound front springs. I have since changed them to code "X" plow springs, as I installed a Fisher 8 foot HD series plow on the truck that weighs close to 1000 pounds with all the mounting brackets, etc. My certification label says front 45 pounds, and rear 70 pounds pressure. So, evidently, Ford says that 45 pounds is OK for the front of a lightly sprung 5.4L truck. I see no reason to go more than that if you are not carrying any heavy loads on the front of your truck. The 70 pound rear pressure is assuming you have a full load in the bed. So, if you're not carrying anything more than 1, 2, or 3 people, I would find it perfectly acceptable to go 45 PSI all around. That's what I do for the warm weather. When I put the plow on, I go to 50 PSI all around, and I have NO PROBLEMS !!!
RON
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Utah County, UT
Well I must run my tires pretty dang low, 42 in front and 36 in rear when empty. One other thing you might want to look into, there is a company that makes what they call a velvet ride shackle kit. Apperently drops the rear about an inch or two, the rear shackle on the leave spring is replaced with a pivotable torsion type what it appears to me. I have heard of several people installing them, but have not myselft so couldn't say if it makes that much of a difference or not. There is also another company called Kelderman Air ride systems, they make a pretty trip setup as well, but also comes along with healthy price tag.