Another Spring Question
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Senior User
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From: NEBRASKA
Another Spring Question
I've got an early '99 F250 SD LB. I bought it used with a 4" suspension lift. Of course empty it rides rough, really rough. I know it is from the suspension lift and also because it is a SD. After 2 years, I can't take it anymore (or the wife can't take it anymore).
Well, a buddy of mine brought his '04 SD (no lift) over last nite. I took it for a spin and could not believe how smooth of a ride it gave. It even has the heavy duty springs.
My question is if I went to the stock springs would my truck ride similar to his or will it be different because of the ages of the trucks?
Also, did Ford make a heavy duty spring option for the '99 Superduties?
Thanks for your help.
Well, a buddy of mine brought his '04 SD (no lift) over last nite. I took it for a spin and could not believe how smooth of a ride it gave. It even has the heavy duty springs.
My question is if I went to the stock springs would my truck ride similar to his or will it be different because of the ages of the trucks?
Also, did Ford make a heavy duty spring option for the '99 Superduties?
Thanks for your help.
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From: NEBRASKA
OK. I am going to assume that the ride will get better with stock springs. I have a spring code of UA. Can someone tell me if those are a heavy duty spring or a standard spring?Thanks.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Denver, CO
Do you know what brand lift the truck came with? I just installed a 4" SuperLift on my 2000 and it rides better than it did stock. If it has dual shockes up front switching back to a single would help soften the ride as well.
Of the next Riffraff East
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,679
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From: Concord NC
Originally Posted by Finally
OK. I am going to assume that the ride will get better with stock springs. I have a spring code of UA. Can someone tell me if those are a heavy duty spring or a standard spring?Thanks.
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From: NEBRASKA
With the leveling kit are you still using the stock springs?
The local salvage yard has a complete set of springs for $200, so I think I will put it back to stock and start from there.
I don't know what brand of lift it is. Off the top of my head, it has 5 or 6 leafs in the front packs and 5 or 6 leafs in the rear packs with single ProComp shocks all around.
This is my first Superduty and just kind of told myself that this is a big truck that can do a lot of work, so it is going to ride rough while at play. Well, now that I have driven another, I know that that's not exactly true.
Thanks for your help, people.
The local salvage yard has a complete set of springs for $200, so I think I will put it back to stock and start from there.
I don't know what brand of lift it is. Off the top of my head, it has 5 or 6 leafs in the front packs and 5 or 6 leafs in the rear packs with single ProComp shocks all around.
This is my first Superduty and just kind of told myself that this is a big truck that can do a lot of work, so it is going to ride rough while at play. Well, now that I have driven another, I know that that's not exactly true.
Thanks for your help, people.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,142
Likes: 2
From: Denver, CO
You are going to need more than just springs. If it is a 4" lift on your truck then the track bar braket was changed, the sway bar end links were changed for longer ones. There is a lot of stuff that has to be changed back. Im not trying to talk you out of it but make sure you get all the parts you need to get it back to stock. If you lived closer I could give you all my stuff from my truck, I just did my lift about 2 months ago and everything I took off my truck is in good shape except for one sway bar bushing.
Of the next Riffraff East
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,679
Likes: 2
From: Concord NC
With the leveling kit are you still using the stock springs?
The local salvage yard has a complete set of springs for $200, so I think I will put it back to stock and start from there.
I don't know what brand of lift it is. Off the top of my head, it has 5 or 6 leafs in the front packs and 5 or 6 leafs in the rear packs with single ProComp shocks all around.
This is my first Superduty and just kind of told myself that this is a big truck that can do a lot of work, so it is going to ride rough while at play. Well, now that I have driven another, I know that that's not exactly true.
Thanks for your help, people.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 442
From: Eastern Washington
pro-comps are notorious for a poor ride, they're cheap for a reason.
Make sure your spring and shackle bolts are not over-tightened. Many times I have heard similar complaints only to find that the bushings were so tight the spring wasn't allowed to 'grow' under compression, thus limiting suspension.
Make sure your spring and shackle bolts are not over-tightened. Many times I have heard similar complaints only to find that the bushings were so tight the spring wasn't allowed to 'grow' under compression, thus limiting suspension.
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From: NEBRASKA
Well, after thinking and looking this morning, I think I am going to try the Bilsteins, first. The reason for this decision is that the rear end has 4" blocks under the spring which replaced the 2". So I am assuming the rear springs are the stock springs. No sense in buying another set, eh. Would everyone agree with this assumption?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,142
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From: Denver, CO
Most likely the rear springs are stock. Most people when going with a 4" lift use blocks or add a leafs in the rear. You should be able to find some marking on the springs in the rear to figure out if they are Ford springs or not.
Also you can probably call around to different places that sell lifts and just order new front springs to keep the 4" lift and get a better ride. All the work is pretty much done just swap springs, you wont need all the other associated parts.
Another option would be to get some stock springs cheap and get a hanger kit from Dr or someone else. This way you keep your lift, get a stock ride, and you dont have to buy a stock track bar braket and sway bar links.
Also you can probably call around to different places that sell lifts and just order new front springs to keep the 4" lift and get a better ride. All the work is pretty much done just swap springs, you wont need all the other associated parts.
Another option would be to get some stock springs cheap and get a hanger kit from Dr or someone else. This way you keep your lift, get a stock ride, and you dont have to buy a stock track bar braket and sway bar links.