Softer Ride

Jeff@Spartan · Nov 20, 2011

Alright, so I have a 2008 Ford F-250. The truck is basically stock height. The rear has stock blocks and factory shocks. The front has stock coils, Icon's 1" TEI, and 0-2" Bilstein 5100's. The truck rides so stiff in the front. I hate it. It rides a little better now with the factory 20's and tires with more sidewall, but it still rides a lot firmer than I would like. I drive on the street 99.9% of the time and the ride just isn't pleasing at all. I drove my dad's 2008 F-250 for 4 days while my truck was at body shop recently, and his truck road really good. So much better than mine. It's a bone stock truck with 92,000 miles on it that has been beat to death off-road on our farm. Just can't figure out why mine rides so bad in comparison.

I plan on going to 2.5" or 3" rear blocks to bring the rear up a tad and keeping the 1" TEI up front or going to 100% stock height. What are some suggestions for getting a better overall ride? I am guessing that shocks are about the only thing I can change up.

Thanks in advance!

Jeff@Spartan · Nov 21, 2011

STROKIN N STYLE · Nov 21, 2011

I would think its the spacer. Even though its only 1", it still loads the spring, taking away from its travel. I basically did the same on my 4 wheeler, added an inch spacer and it now rides like crap. I bet if you took the spacer out and went to stock height or put in 2.5" icon springs, it would ride a lot better!

Jeff@Spartan · Nov 21, 2011

May do stock height in the front with factory shocks then.

STROKIN N STYLE · Nov 21, 2011

I'm sure the 5100's at stock height would be fine

Erikclaw · Nov 21, 2011

I say aftermarket springs would do the trick. If you do some research they may have some with different spring rates. I had to change mine but they are a coil over. There should be some info from the different manufacturers but they may not want to share. Maybe give Trevor a call at PMF and see what he says.

Denver · Nov 21, 2011

I'de put some Bilstien coils on the front. It's going to level it out but the ride is a lot smoother. I had that and 7100 Bilstiens on my 05 and it was a night and day difference.

OBSWIZ · Nov 21, 2011

Best ride quality would be using a Pure Performance 2.5" 4 link level kit with Bilsteins..PM me if I can get you more info or pricing. The stock radius arms bind..

Cary

07_powerstroke · Nov 21, 2011

Imo bilstein shock make the ride worse I have put 2 sets of bilsein shocks in a 04 chevy 3500 and a 05 gmc 2500 both now ride terible on gravel roads which they are both on everyday. I have icon coils icon shocks and a 4 link with a add a leaf and my truck rides like ****! but i know alot of that is my rear setup but i have a new setup on order hope it helps!!

07_powerstroke · Nov 21, 2011

If i was you i would leave the 1in spacer in and put the factory shocks back in!

Dustball8504 · Nov 21, 2011

Put snowplow prep springs in the front, it'll sit pretty much level like your leveling kit now and ride much better. That's what mine came with and I think it rides great!

01PSD · Nov 21, 2011

What are yall complaing about.. I bet all of your trucks ride better than mine LOL :fustrate:

Jeff@Spartan · Nov 21, 2011

Dustball8504 said:
Put snowplow prep springs in the front, it'll sit pretty much level like your leveling kit now and ride much better. That's what mine came with and I think it rides great!

Hmmmm. Might have to look into this. Do you have factory shocks on the truck also?