Idacamper (Superduty) updates 2023
- Thread starter IdaSHO
- Start date
IdaSHO
IDACAMPER
After things were buttoned up I went for a 25 mile drive.
Certainly stiffer, but if nothing else feels and handles like a new truck.
Even empty, Im super happy so far....
Though the truck is essentially level now. Rear was raised less than an inch, and front a solid 3 inches, which actually lowered the hitch height.
So I'm considering options to add some rake to it so it is level once loaded with the camper. Id hate to make it taller, so I'm considering trimming the coils.
For now Ill run it for in town daily duties, and perhaps the big bumper and winch will settle the front coils some.
It does look good though.
Certainly stiffer, but if nothing else feels and handles like a new truck.
Even empty, Im super happy so far....
Though the truck is essentially level now. Rear was raised less than an inch, and front a solid 3 inches, which actually lowered the hitch height.
So I'm considering options to add some rake to it so it is level once loaded with the camper. Id hate to make it taller, so I'm considering trimming the coils.
For now Ill run it for in town daily duties, and perhaps the big bumper and winch will settle the front coils some.
It does look good though.
shortbus4x4
Expedition Leader
Definitely wait on any coil trimming until you make a couple trips with the camper on to let the coils settle.
IdaSHO
IDACAMPER
After some consideration, I opted to fabricate some 1-1/2" rear blocks that mount below the OEM blocks/bumpstop tabs
And since Ive never liked the hardware that the bags use, I integrated bag mounts into the blocks.
The alternative, adding height with the leafs, simply wouldn't work as it would have pushed the bags well beyond their height limits.
Proper 5/8 alignment pin and hole, along with some 3/8 welded pins to protect from crushing.
I would have loved to go 1/4" wall, but 3/16 is what my local machine shop had. So here we go...
Less than $35 into these, and I believe I found the stance I want.
Down the road if the front coils do decide to settle much, Ill revisit the blocks and consider removing.
And since Ive never liked the hardware that the bags use, I integrated bag mounts into the blocks.
The alternative, adding height with the leafs, simply wouldn't work as it would have pushed the bags well beyond their height limits.
Proper 5/8 alignment pin and hole, along with some 3/8 welded pins to protect from crushing.
I would have loved to go 1/4" wall, but 3/16 is what my local machine shop had. So here we go...
Less than $35 into these, and I believe I found the stance I want.
Down the road if the front coils do decide to settle much, Ill revisit the blocks and consider removing.
Ninelitetrip
Well-known member
IdaSHO
IDACAMPER
Thanks!
Tires are the high capacity Toyo AT2 285/75r18’s. Rated at 4080 lbs per tire.
Wheels are off the shelf Les Schwab wheels, 18x9 Raceline Defenders, rated at 3650lbs per wheel.
jmnielsen
Tinkerer
Looks great! Always liked following your build.
I replaced my F150 leaf packs (1500lb) with the General Springs HD 2500lb packs and was hoping to gain some height to get back rake but I also saw very little - about 1/2 inch. The truck rides much better now, but I'll probably buy some new blocks at some point to get the rake I want for towing.
I replaced my F150 leaf packs (1500lb) with the General Springs HD 2500lb packs and was hoping to gain some height to get back rake but I also saw very little - about 1/2 inch. The truck rides much better now, but I'll probably buy some new blocks at some point to get the rake I want for towing.
IdaSHO
IDACAMPER
Yeah, I noticed the rear didnt change much, but the front raised it quite a bit.
But we are in business. Just finished a near 800 mile trip with the new suspension and it is fantastic.
Just incredible how well it handles highway travel, and no more bottoming out the front off the pavement.
Its a firm ride, for sure, but stable and predicable, and all without the NEED for the bags.
But we are in business. Just finished a near 800 mile trip with the new suspension and it is fantastic.
Just incredible how well it handles highway travel, and no more bottoming out the front off the pavement.
Its a firm ride, for sure, but stable and predicable, and all without the NEED for the bags.
Alloy
Well-known member
After some consideration, I opted to fabricate some 1-1/2" rear blocks that mount below the OEM blocks/bumpstop tabs
And since Ive never liked the hardware that the bags use, I integrated bag mounts into the blocks.
The alternative, adding height with the leafs, simply wouldn't work as it would have pushed the bags well beyond their height limits.
Proper 5/8 alignment pin and hole, along with some 3/8 welded pins to protect from crushing.
I would have loved to go 1/4" wall, but 3/16 is what my local machine shop had. So here we go...
Less than $35 into these, and I believe I found the stance I want.
Down the road if the front coils do decide to settle much, Ill revisit the blocks and consider removing.
I had a simliar air bag set up. The vertical plate against the spring bent on both sides so I welded a gusset between the vertical plate and horizantal plate.
ITTOG
Well-known member
Yeah it is a crazy design. Why not just weld a cradle from the axle to the horizontal plate?
Alloy
Well-known member
Bending the plate must have been an issue because I started to see a cradles starting in 2017/2018.
IdaSHO
IDACAMPER
Another trip in the books, with another 400 miles or so on it.
Doing fantastic, though I still havnt had a chance to get it aligned. It drives great, but has a bit of wondering.
Dropped it off at the local shop and looks like we need caster bushings to add more caster, as well as a pitman arm (bit of slop @ rod end) as well as a trackbar balljoint.
So its will be back in the shop for the front end work, then finally back to get it properly aligned.
Doing fantastic, though I still havnt had a chance to get it aligned. It drives great, but has a bit of wondering.
Dropped it off at the local shop and looks like we need caster bushings to add more caster, as well as a pitman arm (bit of slop @ rod end) as well as a trackbar balljoint.
So its will be back in the shop for the front end work, then finally back to get it properly aligned.