Relatively new to the forum, so not sure if this is the best place to post a suspension comment.

I have a 450 that rides better than the older models, but still brings pain to your kidneys on typical roads.

I have two strategies for this truck for towing: eliminate squat under load, and ride more like my 250. The eliminate the dreaded 450 squat, I installed 5,000 lb capacity air bags. Filling to 50 psi will level the truck with an additional pin weight of 2,700-ish. Works great and the ride is fantastic (tires inflated to Ford specs). I then had leaf springs made with 7 leafs that lowers the carrying capacity (but then again, I use airbags) but gets ride of the terrible empty-bed ride of the stock rear suspension. This was not enough. I then bought the Sulastic rubber/cam shackles and installed them a couple of weeks ago. The ride is now to what I would characterize 250-ish. The sharp jabs to the kidneys when driving over potholes or expansion joints is gone.

The Sulastic shackles have an operating range with a max bump-stop, but I take care of that with the airbags under load - center the shackle and you're good to go. No need to bottom out the shackle when I have airbags.

Total cost of everything with me doing a fair amount of the installing was about $2,000. It was either spend the money, or sell the truck. I am glad I did the research and did the modifications as the truck is perfect for my needs now. All you other 450 owners who don't like the stock empty ride, there is a reasonably priced answer.

 

If you load up the F450 it will ride like a F250 or better.


To me anyway, it sounds like you went the other way. Now you have a F450 with only F250 capabilities.


Would a F250 been a better truck to purchase?


2700 lbs in the bed of the truck so not that much, you shouldn't have had any sag.

 

Actually, it's quite the opposite. I have a 450 with all the benefits - larger front and rear axels, a 4.30:1 rear end, 19.5 tires that carry more than a LT tire, larger and more robust steering components, all set up to ride like a 250. As for the capacity, the new springs carry 700 lbs less than stock - hardly an issue with a 450, especially with supplemental air bags that can take the bed capacity beyond stock. And since Ford decided 4 leafs (big leafs) on the rear axel was all they needed to carry the load, when you sit 2-3,000 lbs on the pin, the truck squats to the helper springs which is about 2 inches. Bone stock, I towed my LQ horse trailer (about 13,000 loaded) to WY for vacation and the low beams blinded on-coming traffic. That no longer happens - it's better than stock.

So I have the features of a 450 with the ride of my 05 250, in a dually. My 250 with a 3.73:1 axel was not enough gear to handle my trailer loaded. The 4.30:1 is a bit overkill, but my oil temps have not exceeded 230, even on the Laramie continental divide or Mont Eagle pass in TN.

 

I found that my 2017 F450 rides very well with 70 PSI in the tires (plenty according to Continental specs) and Ranch RS9000XL shocks set to "4." When running factory pressures (90 PSI in the front), I've found that the truck doesn't track well. At 70-75, it tracks and rides great.