Newby question - Lift on 2021F-250

[RVpilot]

Hey guys. Will be purchasing a used F-250 this week and am ordering a camper for it. I will need to replace the rear shocks because one is leaking oil.I want to get the right size, but there is no indication of the manufacturer or part number, so I guess these are the stock Ford shocks that came with the vehicle. It looks like there is a lift under the leaf springs that will affect the shock size, but Im not sure how tall it is. To my untrained eye, it looks like there are two separate pieces under the leaf springs. Does the lift comprise both upper and lower pieces or is it just the upper piece? Thanks.

 

[Kingsize24]

Everything there is factory installed.

 

[tacollie]

That looks all 100% factory. Just get stock length shocks.

There is the factory leaf on top with the factory block on the bottom.

 

[RVpilot]

That looks all 100% factory. Just get stock length shocks.

There is the factory leaf on top with the factory block on the bottom.

Ok, Im probably over thinking this, but shopping on line, none of the shocks are described as being "stock length". They are listed as being for a specified amount of lift (e.g., 2-4" rear lift, etc). Google says a stock F-250 is not level, but rather raised in the back, which I have confirmed with my trusty level. So in my mind at least, its been lifted in the rear. But I dont know jack, so....

Back to wondering what size shocks to get. It would seem that I need to know how much lift there is in the back and measure that 2-piece block thats between the axle and the leaf springs in the photo I posted. No? Tell me where my thinking has gone astray : )

As an example, on the Rancho website, it indicates that the RS999047A should fit as a rear shock on an 2021 F-250 4XF 6.7L diesel without the Tremor package, with a rear raised height of 0 inches. Will that work, or do I have to get something that takes into account my "lift"?

 

[tacollie]

Ok, Im probably over thinking this, but shopping on line, none of the shocks are described as being "stock length". They are listed as being for a specified amount of lift (e.g., 2-4" rear lift, etc). Google says a stock F-250 is not level, but rather raised in the back, which I have confirmed with my trusty level. So in my mind at least, its been lifted in the rear. But I dont know jack, so....

Back to wondering what size shocks to get. It would seem that I need to know how much lift there is in the back and measure that 2-piece block thats between the axle and the leaf springs in the photo I posted. No? Tell me where my thinking has gone astray : )

As an example, on the Rancho website, it indicates that the RS999047A should fit as a rear shock on an 2021 F-250 4XF 6.7L diesel without the Tremor package, with a rear raised height of 0 inches. Will that work, or do I have to get something that takes into account my "lift"?

That rancho will work for you. You can always remove one of your shocks and measure the extended and compressed length and compare it to any shock you're looking at.

Your rear springs and block look like they did when they left the factory. That block looks like the one on all F250. On a Tremor or F350 it'll be 1" taller. Your truck should sit 2 to 3 in higher in the rear than the front. It's designed that way so when you put a bunch of weight in the bed it will sit level.

 

[RVpilot]

That rancho will work for you. You can always remove one of your shocks and measure the extended and compressed length and compare it to any shock you're looking at.

Your rear springs and block look like they did when they left the factory. That block looks like the one on all F250. On a Tremor or F350 it'll be 1" taller. Your truck should sit 2 to 3 in higher in the rear than the front. It's designed that way so when you put a bunch of weight in the bed it will sit level.

Gotcha. So if it came that way stock, by definition its not lifted? Was trying to avoid removing a shock before I had the new ones in hand, but I understand, that I could compare old vs new to check that Ive got the right ones.
Thanks!

 

[andy_b]

Gotcha. So if it came that way stock, by definition its not lifted? Was trying to avoid removing a shock before I had the new ones in hand, but I understand, that I could compare old vs new to check that Ive got the right ones.
Thanks!

Correct - as @tacollie points out, your truck appears to have stock suspension. Since you mention that the front is lower than the rear, that almost certainly means the front is stock, too for the reasons tacollie mentioned.

My suggestion would be to wait until your camper is on and you’ve made your choices regarding wheels and/or tires. Then, once you have your final weight established and you're on the tire and wheel package you want, finalize the suspension so that it can be dialed in to your camper’s needs. Avoid the temptation to rush into buying stuff, if only so that you can spend more on the right parts

 

[RVpilot]

Correct - as @tacollie points out, your truck appears to have stock suspension. Since you mention that the front is lower than the rear, that almost certainly means the front is stock, too for the reasons tacollie mentioned.

My suggestion would be to wait until your camper is on and you’ve made your choices regarding wheels and/or tires. Then, once you have your final weight established and you're on the tire and wheel package you want, finalize the suspension so that it can be dialed in to your camper’s needs. Avoid the temptation to rush into buying stuff, if only so that you can spend more on the right parts

okie doke. Thanks for the help!

 

[Acesandeights]

I know this is a couple weeks old now, but to reiterate, that is stock suspension.

The F250 and F350 have different "blocks" (the piece of metal the spring pack sits atop). The F250 is about 1.5" and the F350 is closer to 3.5" tall. What I would do, is not put a "lift" on it, not new springs. I would get the camper and see how you like the ride height. Depending on the weight of the camper, you may be close to level front and rear, but I imagine you'll sit a little low in the rear.

Trucks typically have a little "rake", sit higher in the rear, because they are designed to carry weight in the bed or to haul a trailer. They are built to accommodate for a little "squat" in the rear caused by payload or tongue weight. The F250 has a little rake, and the F350 has more rake (because it has a higher payload). The trucks should sit about level when there is a load, close to the max payload, in the bed or a trailer attached to the receiver.

When you get the camper installed, look at the rake (or lack of rake). You can determine how high the rear needs to come up. My guess is you can put an F350 block under the springs and be pretty close to level. In that case, you only have to put the F350 block (or equivalent aftermarket) and it will cost you the price of the block and new u-bolts. You should be able to get away with a couple hundred dollars and you'll basically have F350 suspension on your F250 and it'll ride and handle like stock with the camper installed.

This may not be it exactly, but something a lot like this:

Ford Super Duty Rear Block Kit

 

[andy_b]

I know this is a couple weeks old now, but to reiterate, that is stock suspension.

The F250 and F350 have different "blocks" (the piece of metal the spring pack sits atop). The F250 is about 1.5" and the F350 is closer to 3.5" tall. What I would do, is not put a "lift" on it, not new springs. I would get the camper and see how you like the ride height. Depending on the weight of the camper, you may be close to level front and rear, but I imagine you'll sit a little low in the rear.

Trucks typically have a little "rake", sit higher in the rear, because they are designed to carry weight in the bed or to haul a trailer. They are built to accommodate for a little "squat" in the rear caused by payload or tongue weight. The F250 has a little rake, and the F350 has more rake (because it has a higher payload). The trucks should sit about level when there is a load, close to the max payload, in the bed or a trailer attached to the receiver.

When you get the camper installed, look at the rake (or lack of rake). You can determine how high the rear needs to come up. My guess is you can put an F350 block under the springs and be pretty close to level. In that case, you only have to put the F350 block (or equivalent aftermarket) and it will cost you the price of the block and new u-bolts. You should be able to get away with a couple hundred dollars and you'll basically have F350 suspension on your F250 and it'll ride and handle like stock with the camper installed.

This may not be it exactly, but something a lot like this:

Ford Super Duty Rear Block Kit

I think that this needs some clarification.

Putting 350 blocks on a 250 will provide a lift and probably even things out visually. It will not make the 250’s suspension the same as the 350. The 350 has overload springs and that is what provides the primary payload capacity increase. Lift blocks provide a simple way to lift that is very effective (which is why Ford uses them) but the overall quality of the lift is not that good. Also, no suspension will really allow the truck to handle like stock with a camper attached - it will weight more and there is no way to eliminate that reality. A well-designed suspension will minimize the impact (and maybe even improve performance in specific terrain) but it will definitely not ride like stock.

Also, no one answered your question in your original post but yes, the factory suspension uses a two piece block. The upper portion is what you’d replace if you did a spacer lift and the lower portion (flat on top, curved on the axle side) is fixed.