As I posted in the previous RAS thread last week, I believe the installation of RAS has restored the ride height of my truck. I do not quite understand this, as the RAS is not supposed to be providing any assist when the springs are not under load. I pre-tensioned the RAS with the suspension hanging per the instructions until I could wiggle a quarter between the coils. Now off the jacking and resting unloaded, I have a 1-3/4" rake. The coils are definately under more load than pre-tension. I do not have a feeler gauge that big, but I could probably pass a nickel through the coils now. I'd have to guess I have close to 3mm. This all sounds correct to me, I think the RAs is compensating for sagging rear springs. I'd be interested to hear other opinions on this.

2nd - With the RAS installed, the ride and handling of the truck is acceptable to me. I'd like to stiffen the front some, but at least it feels safe now. The problem is towing season is coming up. My TT weighs in about 7500lbs dry with a dry tongue weight at 750 lbs. Should I depend on the RAS to compensate and try it out, or should I get the springs changed. I'm not too crazy about spending more money now, but saftey is #1 priority.

3rd - are front coil springs coded the same as leaf springs as far as weight capacities?

 

I do believe what is going on is that the RAS is rejuvenating if you will the rear leaf springs. Over time...the rear leafs WILL SAG. The RAS is adding capacity to make up for some of that sag. It would be interesting to see what the ORIGINAL height of your Ex would have been when it left the factory!

By hanging the axle when you pre-tension the RAS you are basically trying to achieve a completely new leaf if you will...or a re-arched leaf. When you lower the truck and put weight on the leafs...they WILL deflect which WILL put some load in the RAS. In fact...I just did this for someone...I checked what the spring spacing was on my RAS as it sits in the garage...I can fit a quarter AND a dime between the coils with the Ex sitting there now.

Think of it this way...if after you lowered your Ex...if you still had 2mm gap...that would mean the RAS would have really rejuvenated the leaf springs and your back of the Ex would have been even HIGHER. The RAS is simply absorbing some of the load that your leafs can no long carry due to age (this is only my theory).

The 'rake' likely looks WORSE due to front spring sag over life as well...(again just a hunch)

On your second point...What type of WD and sway control do you have? I towed my 7500# TT over 7000 miles in 2006 with OUT a RAS...only a dual cam (DC) hitch and hellwig sway bar...with NO issues. I'd give your setup a try before swapping springs.

3rd - I do not know.

Good luck,
joe.

 

Thanks for the opinion,

That is possible, although this looks closer to what I remember when I bought the truck at 68k miles about 3 yrs ago. I do not mind it at all, it looks more like a truck this way.

My WD setup is the Reese Dual Cam. I think I went with the 1200lb spring bars, but they may only be 1000lb. The Ex towed my old 24' TT great, but I have not been happy with the way it has towed this trailer at all. I suspect the sagging rear has a lot to do with that. I'm not to thrilled about having to replace springs and have even considered an airbag system.

 

So, just for general information:
My front wheel wells are at 35", rear is 36-1/2". The Ex has Bilstiens all the way around (on it when I bought it with 74K). My RAS is due to arrive tomorrow. I am hoping to get them installed Saturday, but it is tax season, and I am covering the home front while my wife is doing her "tax thing". I will post back if any changes after intallation.

 

Is yours 2wd also? which engine V10 or diesel?

 

Sorry about that!! I'll get up enough posts soon so I can add that in my signature!! It is a 2001 XLT 2WD, PSD. The Bilsteins, 4' TB Exhaust, MAC CAI, Auto-Meter pillar gages, and Predator Tuner all came with the X when I bought it in November. It had 74,600 on it; I'm about 79,500 now. And I will post back whether or not there is any height difference after the RAS.

Don

 

So, I'm a little tardy posting this info back.

After installing RAS, my rear was raised 1/2", to 37". Feels like more, but as the VP of engineering so fondly remarks: "It is what it is!!"

Definite improvement on the ride, tho. Now, since I haven't towed with it before the RAS, it will be hard to notice the improvement!!