e350 dually purchase, question about rear axle use in 4x4 conversion.

[tgreening]

Going by the adjectives you used there.... The Coil/Radius arm 4x4 suspension (like the '05+ Super Duty trucks) is also neat, clean and functional...and better turning radius.

I know some folks don't like radius arms or 4 link suspensions but I believe it is more about misconceptions than anything else.

and... one of the most important parts of setting up the Super Duty truck axles is getting the caster correct...

Yes they are. A better choice of words on my part might have been "simple, clean, and functional".

Caster/camber: I have always had trouble keeping the two straight. For the sake of this suspension discussion let the record show it is caster that is the issue.

I have an 06 truck, coil sprung, and dont recall that its turning radius is any better than my old leaf sprung '01. My '08 F450 otoh, will turn on a stinkin dime considering it's a CC dually. Happily surprised the snot out of me after I bought it. Of course the biggest reason for that is the 6" wider front axle.

4-links I have no problem with when done right. When they are, caster shouldnt change regardless of where the suspension is in its cycle. Generally the same can't be said for radius arm setups.

I haven't owned a four link, at least yet, but there is no doubt they are more elaborate than your standard leaf spring setup.

Radius arm systems I've owned in the past, both stock and lifted, and also currently. I have no problem owning one, but if I had to choose a system I was going to lift or significantly change I'd still rather have a leaf spring setup.

I will admit that I have not messed with the '05+ coil system, but I did muck about with Fords 70's setup, and it was anything but as simple to deal with as a leaf system. Took about an hour to do the rear springs, and the rest of an all nighter to get that dang front end swapped about.

To each his own though. It's his money and the only person he has to please is himself, not me or anyone else.

 

[tgreening]

Something like that wouldn't really be for me. i'd be paying for performance I would like never use, not even in that mythical shtf fan scenario folks like to go on about, but...

Pick what you want and run with it, there really isn't a right or wrong style as long as it makes you happy, but do keep this in mind. You mentioned someone out west there that works really cheap. Expensive doesn't always mean you are getting what you pay for so you need to do your homework, but cheap rarely goes hand in hand with quality. Be careful of bargain mechanics, especially when they are mucking about with something as extremely important as the suspension of your vehicle.

 

[non_applicable]

Expensive doesn't always mean you are getting what you pay for so you need to do your homework, but cheap rarely goes hand in hand with quality. Be careful of bargain mechanics, especially when they are mucking about with something as extremely important as the suspension of your vehicle.

I hear that! I've realized that this is something I should just take care of myself, and make sure it's done correctly.

As far as cost goes though, that kit pictured is $5,000, everything included. A leaf spring kit is around $2500 to $3500.

Really though, I just want coilover shocks up front, mostly ... just because! It seems fun.

At least it will be fun as long as it works and I don't mess something up