2008-weaker suspension?
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
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This truck was ordered with a 9800# GVW. So it would not sag. It was ordered to be a work truck. I f you call this whining your wrong, I'm B&%CHIN about the damn thing. This same package was on the 06 and it did'nt sit down on it's butt. I would have kept the 06 but it could'nt stay out of the shop. Now the 08 can'nt stayout of the shop. when this truck is up and running nothing else can touch it. Now it's in the shop for the second time with ony 5k on it. I'm diehard ford guy, the dodge is starting to look pretty good right now.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,952
Likes: 512
From: Foothills, CA
If you think your '08 Ford is bad, go try that same load with a Dodge or Chevy! It's not just Ford that's trying to please everyone. My '05 Chevy dmax 1 Ton sagged like a broke backed mule until I put bags on it, and I ran the same brand bags I had on my '99 psd and my '07 at a lot higher pressure to level the weakling out. I hear your complaint, but the capacity king, sag or not, is Ford hands down. I happen to like the flexability of the air bags myself, and the ride of my '07, fully loaded or not, is way better than my old '99 psd or my '05 dmax, and it has a heck of a lot more capacity than either one to boot! (11,400# gvwr vs. 8800# in the '99 and 9900# in the dmax).
As far as having to add stuff on to an already expensive truck: you really need to shop the competition to realize how much more we get, especially for heavy duty use, with our Fords, than the other two makes....
My $.02 worth (just sign me: "been to the dark side and now happily back")...
As far as having to add stuff on to an already expensive truck: you really need to shop the competition to realize how much more we get, especially for heavy duty use, with our Fords, than the other two makes....
My $.02 worth (just sign me: "been to the dark side and now happily back")...
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 460
Likes: 0
What kind of air bags do you have one yours? I am looking at the F350 DRW for pulling a 15K fifth wheel. I am obviously going to need them. Thanks
Originally Posted by diesel_dan
If you think your '08 Ford is bad, go try that same load with a Dodge or Chevy! It's not just Ford that's trying to please everyone. My '05 Chevy dmax 1 Ton sagged like a broke backed mule until I put bags on it, and I ran the same brand bags I had on my '99 psd and my '07 at a lot higher pressure to level the weakling out. I hear your complaint, but the capacity king, sag or not, is Ford hands down. I happen to like the flexability of the air bags myself, and the ride of my '07, fully loaded or not, is way better than my old '99 psd or my '05 dmax, and it has a heck of a lot more capacity than either one to boot! (11,400# gvwr vs. 8800# in the '99 and 9900# in the dmax).
As far as having to add stuff on to an already expensive truck: you really need to shop the competition to realize how much more we get, especially for heavy duty use, with our Fords, than the other two makes....
My $.02 worth (just sign me: "been to the dark side and now happily back")...
As far as having to add stuff on to an already expensive truck: you really need to shop the competition to realize how much more we get, especially for heavy duty use, with our Fords, than the other two makes....
My $.02 worth (just sign me: "been to the dark side and now happily back")...
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,952
Likes: 512
From: Foothills, CA
Wolf: see in my sig: I have the Air Lift bags, and have had 'em on 4 trucks w/o issue. That said, I've looked over the construction/parts you get on the Firestone bags, and would likely go with them if there's a next time. The Firestone's use brass connectors (vs. plastic on the Air Lift) and thicker air lines, yet are just a few bucks more expensive. Best price I found is at Summit Racing if you are going to do it yourself (pretty easy), or if there's a Camping World you can get to, they charge around $100 to install and they will match Summit's delivered price.
Be sure to run your air valves somewhere neat like behind your fuel filler door (learned that one the hard way).
Be sure to run your air valves somewhere neat like behind your fuel filler door (learned that one the hard way).
New User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 15
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Originally Posted by 4xFordFreak
This truck was ordered with a 9800# GVW. So it would not sag. It was ordered to be a work truck. I f you call this whining your wrong.
You bought a 2008 F250 Super Cab 4X2 6.4 PSD AUTO With a 9800 GVW and a 2730 pound payload capacity. You know you haul heavy stuff. So why didn't you order the same exact package in a 2008 F350? It has a 11000GVW and handles a 3,790 pound payload. That's 1,060 pounds more then your 2008 F250.
It seems like you bought a F250 when you really needed a F350.
Last edited by Technologist; May 24, 2007 at 06:17 AM.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 460
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Thanks, I guess I should have looked? I am still two years from purchasing my rig. We will be retiring and will be purchasing a 33-35 ft 5th wheel in the 15-16K range. I am just learning everything I can before the purchase, and trying to learn from others successes and mistakes. I want to do this once. I want to make sure I get the right size truck, rear end that will pull and handle a 15-16K trailer around the country. I am seeing that some do not have enough truck or the wrong rear end for what they are trying to pull. I don't want to make that same mistake.
Originally Posted by diesel_dan
Wolf: see in my sig: I have the Air Lift bags, and have had 'em on 4 trucks w/o issue. That said, I've looked over the construction/parts you get on the Firestone bags, and would likely go with them if there's a next time. The Firestone's use brass connectors (vs. plastic on the Air Lift) and thicker air lines, yet are just a few bucks more expensive. Best price I found is at Summit Racing if you are going to do it yourself (pretty easy), or if there's a Camping World you can get to, they charge around $100 to install and they will match Summit's delivered price.
Be sure to run your air valves somewhere neat like behind your fuel filler door (learned that one the hard way).
Be sure to run your air valves somewhere neat like behind your fuel filler door (learned that one the hard way).
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 694
Likes: 0
From: SE WI
Originally Posted by IHbase
I am with all of those guys who rely upon their trucks for work. The need to chase after the bozos who buy 8,800 plus GVW trucks and have no use for them has really harmed the product. Now we have a softer sprung truck with better ride quality- and the idiots install level kits so IF the truck is ever used for work, it looks like a Pinto pointing to the sky with with 1,000 lbs in the hatch.
So- yeah- the new truck has some impressive numbers. But in the effort to capture the largest consumer market, compromises continue to be made. Now we have trucks that drive like nice cars - and that is of no use to those of use buy trucks for work. The new truck sags more easily- like a dodge. And that sucks.
But I am sure if all you ever haul is a cooler and jet ski in your level-kitted truck, you will be happy.
Sure wish trucks had not become a fashion accessory for the leisure office crowd.
-mike
So- yeah- the new truck has some impressive numbers. But in the effort to capture the largest consumer market, compromises continue to be made. Now we have trucks that drive like nice cars - and that is of no use to those of use buy trucks for work. The new truck sags more easily- like a dodge. And that sucks.
But I am sure if all you ever haul is a cooler and jet ski in your level-kitted truck, you will be happy.
Sure wish trucks had not become a fashion accessory for the leisure office crowd.
-mike
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
Need to stay under 26000#'s. The F250 chassis up until 08 could do the job now they can't. thats why I call an 08 a SISSY Duty.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Snohomish, Washington
Originally Posted by 4xFordFreak
Need to stay under 26000#'s. The F250 chassis up until 08 could do the job now they can't. thats why I call an 08 a SISSY Duty.
I have not checked yet but I don't think they have changed anything in the rear ends between 99 and 08 on these trucks but I return home on Monday and will compare my 04 to the 08 to see any differences. I actually bought the 04 because I did not want the new front end suspension but like you, too many problems with that vehicle.
New User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 15
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4xFordFreak,
Add something like these for $289 and you could "exceed" the vehicles GVWR without any sag.
Firestone Ride-Rite - REAR KIT 1963-08 Ford F350 incl Dually Pickup (4x2)(4x4 http://www.ultimateautoaccessories.c..._Code=2071__25
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 853
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
Put the air bags on and forget about it. You can easily install them in less that 1 hour and you will never regret them.
Its like the diesel engine and air conditioning once you have a truck with them you will never have one without!!!!!!!!!
Its like the diesel engine and air conditioning once you have a truck with them you will never have one without!!!!!!!!!
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
im with everyone else put the airbags in and quit complaining, my gf's dads duramax has alot more then airbags to keep it level just a skidloader behind it. yes the older PSDs had rock hard springs that rode harder and the truck sat WAY higher so you could really load them down and they wouldnt sag much, things change......
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 383
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From: Nashville, TN
Originally Posted by 4xFordFreak
I should'nt have to add airbags to a truck that was special ordered not to sag like sissy.
Originally Posted by 4xFordFreak
The 6ft long leaf springs are hurting the truck. They keep going and the Super Duty at this rate will be a Sissy Duty.
Originally Posted by 4xFordFreak
Need to stay under 26000#'s. The F250 chassis up until 08 could do the job now they can't. thats why I call an 08 a SISSY Duty.
Originally Posted by 4xFordFreak
The leaf springs on the 08 are extremely long to increase ride quality. It rides great..... just squats like a girl.