Shocks For E350
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New User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23
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From: Millbrook NY
Shocks For E350
Hello all,
I recently bought a 2000 E350 ext. w/ 5.4, the van has about 50,000 miles on it and i'm looking for some heavy duty shocks. I would like to have air shocks in the rear to help support the van and trailer, as the van is often very full (i own a small local moving company) and heavy duty gas shocks in the front. Does anybody have any suggestions? brands etc.? I was considering gabriel. Anybody have any experience with gabriel? Thanks, Tyler
I recently bought a 2000 E350 ext. w/ 5.4, the van has about 50,000 miles on it and i'm looking for some heavy duty shocks. I would like to have air shocks in the rear to help support the van and trailer, as the van is often very full (i own a small local moving company) and heavy duty gas shocks in the front. Does anybody have any suggestions? brands etc.? I was considering gabriel. Anybody have any experience with gabriel? Thanks, Tyler
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
> I would like to have air shocks in the rear to help support the van and trailer
Do not use air shocks to support a load!
The mounts are not very heavy duty and are usually no more then folded 1/8 metal tabs and are meant only for locating the shocks to to prevent axle rebound. There are many topics in the Towing and 4x4 forums on this.
Get airbags. Many applications are bolt on for Ford trucks. I bought the Firestone airbag kit, 5k weight rating, for my 1971 F-100 from www.jcw.com and I was well pleased with it. Properly installed, it pretty much never lost air. Plus, it smoothed out the ride when kept at 40 psi (2k rating).
Do not use air shocks to support a load!
The mounts are not very heavy duty and are usually no more then folded 1/8 metal tabs and are meant only for locating the shocks to to prevent axle rebound. There are many topics in the Towing and 4x4 forums on this.
Get airbags. Many applications are bolt on for Ford trucks. I bought the Firestone airbag kit, 5k weight rating, for my 1971 F-100 from www.jcw.com and I was well pleased with it. Properly installed, it pretty much never lost air. Plus, it smoothed out the ride when kept at 40 psi (2k rating).
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 78
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From: Santa Cruz, CA
Air-adjustable Helper Spring Kits?
rebocardo,
what did you actually get? Is it AIR-ADJUSTABLE HELPER SPRING KIT, part number ZX143512N ?
http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product?storeId=10101&Pr=p_Product.CATENTRY_ID%3A2 005937&parent_category_rn=600010355&productId=2005 937&catalogId=10106
I could not find "airbags". Would be good to add something to the rear suspention of my E-150, 2000, to be able to carry larger loads, withing tires limitation (I got OEM service 108S, ~2200 lb/tire). But this kit "Requires 7-1/2" clearance between frame and tire" and looks like available for E350 only. What else can I actually use? Thanks for help.
den25
what did you actually get? Is it AIR-ADJUSTABLE HELPER SPRING KIT, part number ZX143512N ?
http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product?storeId=10101&Pr=p_Product.CATENTRY_ID%3A2 005937&parent_category_rn=600010355&productId=2005 937&catalogId=10106
I could not find "airbags". Would be good to add something to the rear suspention of my E-150, 2000, to be able to carry larger loads, withing tires limitation (I got OEM service 108S, ~2200 lb/tire). But this kit "Requires 7-1/2" clearance between frame and tire" and looks like available for E350 only. What else can I actually use? Thanks for help.
den25
Last edited by den25; Jan 25, 2006 at 02:49 PM. Reason: addition
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 638
Likes: 7
From: Birmingham, AL
I have Bilsteins on my E150 and am happy with them as well.
I agree with rebocardo on the air bag recommendation. You can find kits from several manufactures on line. Most use Firestone bags with the brackets and other accessories coming from different sources. You can air them from Schrader valves mounted at the rear bumper or anywhere else convenient for you or you can spend a lot more money and have an onboard compressor and air tank with control valves and gauges in the cab. How much do you want to spend?
Another alternative is a device made by Tibren. It's kind of like an oversized bump stop that only come into play when the load exceeds normal loads. I do not have them, but they were recommended to me by a company that also sells air ride and replacement leaf springs of higher weight ratings. They have them for both front and rear and they are cheaper than the air systems. Do a search and see what you think.
Gene.
I agree with rebocardo on the air bag recommendation. You can find kits from several manufactures on line. Most use Firestone bags with the brackets and other accessories coming from different sources. You can air them from Schrader valves mounted at the rear bumper or anywhere else convenient for you or you can spend a lot more money and have an onboard compressor and air tank with control valves and gauges in the cab. How much do you want to spend?
Another alternative is a device made by Tibren. It's kind of like an oversized bump stop that only come into play when the load exceeds normal loads. I do not have them, but they were recommended to me by a company that also sells air ride and replacement leaf springs of higher weight ratings. They have them for both front and rear and they are cheaper than the air systems. Do a search and see what you think.
Gene.
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New User
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Millbrook NY
Thanks for all the suggestions. I've decieded to go with the bilsteins, and if i needed i will get the air helper springs. Thanks again for the input.
Tyler
Tyler
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
Yes, that is the Firestone kit to order. When it says 7.5 inches needed, that means the airbag has to have a min. height of 6.5 inches installed and 1" accounts for the plate that mounts to the top of your spring pack.
You will have that in a E-350. In the E-150, I do not know. It should fit. I bought a specific kit for my truck, the only real difference is in the frame bracket, I believe from looking at the various illustrations. Most of the Fords all use basically the same kit.
You will have that in a E-350. In the E-150, I do not know. It should fit. I bought a specific kit for my truck, the only real difference is in the frame bracket, I believe from looking at the various illustrations. Most of the Fords all use basically the same kit.
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