F350 leaf springs

[redthies]

So I had to get a bigger tow rig than my beloved and buttery smooth riding lifted Tundra. I am now the very happy owner of a virtually spotless 92 F350 that I picked up for a song in cali.

My main issues are: Tire rub on front bumper, (35s on stock springs), shocks are done, and the 2 tapered leaf set-up is best described as utter crap!

I have been considering a Skyjacker soft-ride kit with minimal lift (4" is the smallest). I am looking for some feedback on ride quality of this or similar kits by other makers and did the soft-rides sag quickly if at all? The skyjacker kit is not cheap so I want to know if it will improve the smoothness of the ride in the front. If not, I might as well save a few hundred bucks and just go with a standard kit.

Thanks for any input!

 

[charlieaarons]

I used to have an 88 F350 crewcab. At first I had 9.00R16s (36"). With a winch bumper that was spaced out to the front there was no rubbing at all. Later I went to 11.00R16s and although they rubbed slightly on the springs at full lock, that was all.
I added a factory-like full length tapered (parabolic) leaf and the ride improved a lot! Of course it only gave ~2" lift. You'll need to lift more if you want to keep the factory bumper unmodified.

Charlie

 

[Darwin]

You might want to look into a Sky shackle lift up front. It should give you 3" and a better ride so I have been told.

http://www.sky-manufacturing.com/new/detaproduct.php?id=162

 

[redthies]

That kit looks pretty good! The only question is the $300 price. I still need to buy shocks, and something for the rear to keep it level. Thats probably going to have me close to same price as a full kit. I will give them a call though and ask some questions. Thanks!

 

[redthies]

So I ordered the sky kit on Tuesday. Everyone I talked to said the same thing.
There is no such thing as the Easter Bunny, or a "softride" lift for an F350! My friend ordered the 5" version for his 97 and I went with the 3" for mine. Thanks for the link!

 

[ujoint]

The shackle reversal will make a huge difference on ride quality.

 

[redthies]

Yeah, it makes sense that it will. I was going to go to 37s on this truck too, but I decided that I will stick with 35s after towing my trailer over a few big passes last weekend. Maybe when the cash is there I will do gears, but as we all know, these fullsize longbox crewcabs are not the ideal wheelers. I think it will be just fine with 3" and 35s for the type of places it will be going. When I get the kit in, I'll post a couple of pics.:sombrero:

 

[ujoint]

Throw on a set of Bilstein 5100's, and you're ready to rock!

 

[redthies]

So I have had the Sky kit in for about 4 months now. The ride is way better than stock. Still a one ton, but no more choppy ride! It is an easy kit to install. Really tightened up the front end too. A bunch of pics follow... Before and after side by side twin trucks, Mine with 3" kit and 35s, Grey one with 3" kit, extra leaf and 35s, My buds white one (stock truck in side by side) with the 5" kit and 37s. Install pics are of the 3" on my truck. Enjoy!:sombrero:

 

[redthies]

More truck porn... Grey= 3", extra leaf 35s, White=5" 37s

 

[redthies]

Installed kit... (Other pics at post #22 in thread "95 FORD F250 7.3 POWERSROKE DIESEL") and before and after measurements...

 

[bat]

On the install does your truck use bolts or rivets to hold the old shackle bracket in place,on my 2006 Super Duty my bracket is riveted on the frame. Is there any downside to using a this product and was the ride difference worth the change. I did call them but the guy was a toyota tech and did not know to much about the ford stuff, he said call after holiday's to get some answers.

 

[redthies]

The rear hangers are riveted, but you don't need to touch them on the 92-97 trucks. I don't know about the superduty. Talk to Sky. He is the owner and knows his stuff. As far as ride quality, it is much better, but still a one ton. If you are looking to gain ride height, I think think this is the best way to go. You keep your stock parts for the most part. Easier to find a stock spring at the wreckers than a 4" lift spring...

 

[Shiryas]

Redthies,

Did you replace the OBS (Old Body Style 95-97) springs with the SD (Superduty 99+) springs?

My understanding is that by using the newer SD springs which are 4" longer the axle is placed in the center of the leaf spring pack. Evidently this is not the case with our OBS Powerstroke's which adds to the choppy ride.

Further, the V-Code SD springs are supposed to be the "softest" ride with no lift, the X-Code's being next, a little firmer and also 1.5" height. What did you use?

To compensate for the 4" gained on the front side of the axle I have read two methods:
1) Move the SKY spring hanger all the way to the front of the frame horns and notch the front bumper.
2) Reverse the SKY spring hanger so it points out instead of back.

Also, what did you do for the rear? SKY's 4" shackle flip?

I am in the process of building up my new to me 97 F350 CC 4x4 which is a BIG step from my 95 Toyota xtracab. First I need to get it moving by replacing the blown up dual mass fly wheel and having the bellhousing welded, but the price was right.

Thanks, Chris

 

[redthies]

I chose to keep things as simple as possible and used the stock springs. The first thing I did after installing the sky kit was load up the truck, hook up my offroad pop-up and head out on a road trip. That was september 1st. We are presently on the west coast of Mexico and won't be home in the frozen north for at least another month. I did the install while trying to move house, shop and finish off my contract work so experimenting with different leafs etc was not an option. I think the ride is improved enough for 90% of people with the simple set up that sky designed. I see how you could put his cross-member further forward with a fair bit of modification, but why re-invent the wheel? You would have to move soooo many things to do it. It is still a 1 ton truck. If you want to improve things that much maybe a coil set-up would be the ticket? The sky kit is a simple, solid and effective kit as is. For what I do with my truck, I am happy. I will leave the "kustom" work for my sas Toyota...
If you do go with SD springs or another route, post it here so we can see the different approach. For the rear, I went with a 3" block for the same reasons of time and simplicity. This is the one thing I will likely change when I have a home/shop again... Good luck which ever way you go. The truck you bought is a great rig. The 7.3 with ZF5 is a great combo. I bought a F350 reg cab with that combo new in 96 and loved it! Wish I never sold that truck...:sombrero: