My 2006 SD 6.0 short box has a really soft suspension that I don't care for. I prefer a stiffer ride. If I go to a 2.5 or 4 inch lift kit (Icon is what I'm looking at from Truck Toyz performance) will it stiffen up the ride some? Truck kinda bounces too (I guess the shocks are shot?).

 

The simple idea is the springs are the push to keep the axle and frame separate. The shocks are the ones responsible for the ride. Shocks control compression and rebound of the suspension. Compression rate is how fast the axle moves toward the frame, and rebound is how fast the spring is allowed to push the axle away from the frame. If the rebound is too fast, the tires slam back to the ground and push the frame up sharply. If the compression is too fast, it can feel a bit floaty.

Good shocks make all the difference in the world, and the biggest difference between shocks is the valving (the compression/rebound rates.) There is a science behind it.

 

Icon lift springs are progressive rate, meaning the top of the spring basically can carry less, and the bottom of the spring is stiffer, so that equates to a soft ride unloaded, but a stiff ride when the suspension is all the way compressed. Look on your door tag, I'll bet you have 5200# or 5400# springs, go buy stock Ford 6000# or 7000# springs, and it'll change your front end feel. Yeah, shock do a lot, but with the weight of that diesel pushing down on, stiffer springs can carry the load better.

 

texastechd,
You are absolutely correct! I never thought of looking at the springs. They are 5200 just as you said. I bought the 2.5 inch kit anyway. I want a bit of lift and may go with some larger tires. I hope the new combination is a little stiffer anyway.
HN

 

I just put the 7,000lb springs in with a newton 2" leveling kit and truck rides way better and is level,had the 5,200 springs in and with a 9ft. plow it looked like a chevy when I lifted the plow,moved it out of garage today and it didnt move at all when I lifted it.got the springs from dealer for $187.00 took 2 of us about 3 hours to do the springs and leveling kit.