Better Ride

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Feb 11, 2002 | 11:10 AM

sethro

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Senior User

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 239

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From: West Jordan, UT

Better Ride

Can anyone give me pointers on how to give my 1979 Ford F250 4x4 a smoother ride?

I am running 35" BFG Mud Terrains with i believe 3" block lift. I have leaf springs fron and rear.

can anyone give me any pointers?

thanks

Mark

Feb 12, 2002 | 12:01 AM

Cope

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Joined: Jan 2002

Posts: 262

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Better Ride

You might want to consider a good set of shocks as a starting point. A set of Rancho 9000's or Edelbrock's can make a big difference in smoothing out the ride.
-Cope

95 F-150 4x4
4.9L M5OD
Front Truetrac Rear Detroit
3.73 Precision Gears
Warn Premiums
4" Superlift Superunner

Feb 13, 2002 | 02:25 AM

karljay

Cargo Master

Joined: Jul 2000

Posts: 2,281

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From: Northern California

Better Ride

This is something that I have an interest in too. I heard from one guy that the shocks don't effect the ride nearly as much as the springs do.

the job of the shock is to slow down the bouncing of the springs and act as a dampener. the springs actually control the transmission of the bumps to the frame.

On leaf springs, I heard the 1st spring (the longest one) is the one that controls the unloaded ride the most and the short springs at the bottom of the pack help to control the loaded ride.

I've also heard about having springs made that offer a soft ride and use the no-touch load springs for heavy loads. The no-touch load spring is a leaf the is bolted to the top of the spring pack and have perches that they touch only when the truck is loaded down. These are supposed to be the best setup for a nicer unloaded ride.

I don't know all the answers, but it did make sence the way it was explained to me.

the down side is that new shocks aren't that much and new springs are in the $500+ (so I've heard)

Feb 13, 2002 | 06:15 AM

72f100

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Joined: Mar 2001

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Better Ride

Here's a little trick I've learned. try throwing 4- 60lb sand bags in the back by the tailgait. Believe it or not this will make a noticable difference in ride quality.

Feb 13, 2002 | 08:20 AM

sethro

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Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 239

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From: West Jordan, UT

Better Ride

i do appreciate the advice. I recently bought the truck and the owner had just put new shocks on it not but a few months ago. I will try the 40-60 lbs. trick first. if i don't have any success, then i will try to find some different leaf springs.

thanks for the advice.

Feb 13, 2002 | 10:00 AM

GammaDriver

Posting Guru

Joined: Dec 2001

Posts: 2,017

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From: Southeast FLA

Better Ride

I have to agree with 72f100, the F-250's and their 3/4 ton counterparts of other makes ride a lot better loaded down.

But you might be better off with sand-tubes (we use 4 Sakrete 75 lb ones in our larger trucks) sicne they don't break apart as easily, and don't fall apart when wet. Also, try the sand in two positions - in the rear of the bed, then try them in the front of the bed. It definately will help (if you use enough weight), but then the penalty is your fuel mileage.