I have an ‘04 F350 6.0 CC Long Bed w/camper package. When I bought the truck new, I needed 1 3/4" of lift to level the truck. Now, after 64,000 city/highway Houston miles (no off roading or heavy loads/towing at all) I need 4" to level it. The springs have "sagged" 2 1/4" from stock.

I want to put Dick Cepek 315's on the truck, and need to lift it about 2" from stock, which would be 4" as it sits now. I could get a DR 4 ½" hanger kit, but I am afraid the springs will sag even more. Plus, the steering seems loose now, most probably due to the camber/caster change from the lowering effect my springs have caused.

I emailed Deaver springs to see if they could de-arch a set of 4" springs, and they said yes, but the ride quality would be off. They suggested I go with the factory "x" code springs and use a hanger kit.

I liked the factory ride I had new, and want to get it back. If I had my factory springs on here that would not sag, I would be happy to use a hanger kit to get the height I need.

Questions:

1) Have others experienced their springs "sagging" this much? Steel is not a "creep" material, and as such will not sag. It takes stress on the spring to the point of it’s plastic index to "bend" the spring, which makes it appear to have sagged. I have not stressed my springs at all unless they are so crappy as to reach this limit in mid-rebound short of hitting the bump stops. This leads me to believe they are engineered wrong (not likely) or the quality of the steel is suspect and not up to the design criteria.

I could go buy replacement springs and use a hanger kit, but I am afraid they will sag again. I guess I am wondering if all the factory springs are junk and sag, or if mine are the exception.

2) Does anyone know of a good replacement spring that replicates the factory ride quality?

3) Does anyone know the factory camper package spring rates and specifications? I could use this data to order custom replacement springs...

4) How rough are the "x" code springs over the camper package, and do they sag?

5) Can anyone recommend a good 2" or 3" lift spring over stock height that has good ride quality? I was wanting to use DR as I have heard they ride great.





Thanks for any replies/help.

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All leaf springs sag over time. They can be re-arced, but they will just sag again even quicker. The harder the bumps, the quicker they sag. Take an old saggy leaf spring apart and put one of the leaves in the vice, sticking up. Pull on it (VERY hard, use a level of some sort) and whack it with a hammer. It will actually bend.

Your best bet is to get brand-new springs. And good leaf-spring place is priceless, and they can either sell you brand-new or custom-made spring sets.

The stiffer the spring, the less they will sag over time, usually.

I can't answer the rest of your questions, the rest of the members will do that for me

 

3 yrs ago I replaced the leafs in my 99 250 w/ 1 ton leafs from a spring shop ( all they did was springs). What a difference. When empty the truck rode a litte hard, but with my work tools it was as good as before and no sag at all. Cost was $350, fairly easy install.