We are in the same boat. Looking at what can be done to F450/550 so we can used it for towing and a daily driver once we arrive at our destination.
Some of the options being considered:
Not sure about durability
LBC Contracting/ Auto Flex/ Trailer Flex Air Ride Suspensions for auto and trailer.
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Air ride for the cab
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Four air ride seats are $$$$
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Expensive and takes up storage space
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Click here for R-Series model matrix
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Not sure about durability .....think GXV has stopped using it
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This is the system that off road dump truck drivers like.
The easiest/cheapest option would be dropping a couple of leafs on each side and making up the difference with Airlift bags when loaded.
Funny you posted. I was just writing up a rant/ramble about springs and shocks and stupid heavy trucks.....
The rear isn't all that bad with the new leaf packs. It could use some shocks, but otherwise its much better than the OE spring. I do have the bags still, and IIRC have ~30psi in them.
The front is where I am concentrating on right now. (I am on Kelderman air ride in the front)
Begin ramble...
Spring rates. you need a minimum to hold the weight up. No two ways around that. BUT with the air bags, you have to add pressure to get the height. A spring can be made taller at the same spring rate correct? Where in the air bag the spring rate is increased with air pressure. However in theory the spring rate is as low as it can be to hold the weight at X height?
Zip ties on the shock shafts show I am not using the front suspension. Nearly NOT AT ALL. When I got to the start of gravel, I hopped out, three fingers of movement on the shaft, ~2.5" uptravel.... Thats not much (and not bottoming out on the bags)
Here is after a pretty decently rough section. A bit more movement, but still not much...
I did try inflating the bags to 9" tall. No difference, a bit worse even perhaps (more spring rate...). And they sit funky on the bases like that, not happy looking.
Frustrated.
Should I go back to coils? Just try to find taller softer ones?! Anyone have an idea of spring rate needed? 6200lbs on the front axle.
Went and played on the rocks.
And to finish off the weekend..... My oil leak is getting worse.... Thought i smelled oil a little on the way home, and noticed the spots on the back doors were a bit worse this weekend.... Underside is good and oiled down now. No idea where its coming from. Its mostly at the trans/block connection it seems, upper pan (usual leak spot) looks good. could possibly be the lower pan, but it appears to be coming from higher. But perhaps its just running around the lip of the oil pan and hitting there at speed?
Shoved my phone in and took a bunch of pictures.... This one caught my eye once it was on the computer. Looks like possibly the dipstick (or whatever that tube is..)? There is no "gunk" stuck there, high flow spot?