I see that there are several of us that have the 04 and earlier SD's that have leaf springs that are going the wrong way now. Is there an 'easy' replacement for them? If so, has anyone done it? How did it affect the ride?

 

You could buy a lift kit and the springs will be arced the correct way The only problem is it will ride ruffer.

Kyle

 

I have a leveling kit on it already. I've watched these springs slowly take a turn down over the past 3 1/2 years.

 

Easy to just just replace them complete.

 

My '03 F250 had the frown since they were new. Installed a 4" lift and now they smile. The ride is a lot firmer but worth the look it should have had from the factory. When/if you replace the springs, make sure they are for the diesel. A lot of manufacturers will sell the same spring for a gas and diesel; you'll get the frown back with gas springs on the diesel.

 

Excuse my ignorance, but how does adding a lift raise the spring? I have a 3" leveling kit on the front and that didn't help. I guess I just can't figure out the physics on that one.

 

There are different leveling kits, I put a 2" leveling kit on my 1999 which replaced all the factory springs. If you got a lift kit the stock springs go into the garbage and are replaced with the lift kit springs.

 

Did your Fabtech leveling kit involve just replaceing the hangers and not the springs? When the springs are replaced with aftermarket they are arched the right way and are stiffer; holding their arch. I was able to raise my truck a true 4" buy replacing the springs and retaining the factory hangers.

 

No. The original springs are on it. The leveling kit is just some extended hangers but the springs are the factory ones. So now, my 3" lift is more like 2". How much stiffer is the ride? I use this for a daily driver around town with occasional towing (13,000 lbs boat) so I don't want to be visiting a dentist too!

 

My ride actually improved, after almost 9 years with the factory springs the front end ride was really "mushy". I'm not sure if it's even possible, but I think my turning radius is tighter now with the leveling kit.

 

It's not too bad but you can tell the difference on a bad stretch of road. I have had them on for about six months now without noticing any interior panel squeeks or rattles. I drive 60 miles to and from work each day. You will get a better ride from more thin leafs then a few thick leafs. I'm running Rancho springs that are seven leaf speced for the 6.0.

 

Is 7 springs enough? More skinny ones are better, but does anyone know who makes a good replacement?

 

If it were me, I'd visit a local spring shop. They will be able to correct your problem and give you the kind of ride you are looking for.