Home Forums Gear Hunting Trucks and Four-Wheel Drives Advice on making 1997 F350 4x4 ride better

obviously, not trying to make it ride like a car, but any ideas on improvements?

i have had the truck for 14 years. lately, it seems to be riding very rough. i put Bilstein shocks on it and the ride may have gotten worse. certainly didn't improve.

thanks, ked

Sell it and buy a half ton

That would do it. LOL

Were you ever really satisfied with the ride? Provided your springs are in decent shape you can start by replacing all suspension and body mount bushings with high quality rubber ones. Those Bilsteins are pressurized to 300psi so your right about it feeling worse. Maybe someone can recommend a good tire that would help. One more thing to consider is your seat. They do wear out.

I put new front springs made by Deaver (in So Cal) in my 2003 F250 4x4. The spring packs are 13 thin leaves (and 6" of lift) and they ride like a dream. I believe Bilsteins are gas shocks, which are rough riding by design.

All shocks are gas shocks, Bilsteins are a high-pressure monotube. I don't think the shocks are your problem, whens the last time you replaced any bushings in the front end? How do the springs look?

I like the big Monroe shocks or Les Schwab heavy-duty shocks on my Ford 350. Don't run too much air in your tires say 55 and 60 pounds, unless you have a load on. Make sure the suspension is functioning as it is supposed to. Driving style makes a difference. Be careful where you put your wheels and don't go too fast. I wouldn't trade the F-350 diesel for 2 F150 gas trucks.

If you've had it 14 yrs., I would suspect the springs might need replacing. Some of the lift kits have softer, longer travel springs that might work.
You may loose some load carrying capacity however with different springs.
I understood that at least some of the Bilstein shocks get stiffer the harder they are worked. At low speeds, they shouldn't be really stiff. You might check and see just what they are doing.
Tires do make a difference. You probably are running E range tires that do fine with alot less air in them. E

On the front of those Fords, the shackle is in front of the spring. You can get a kit called a RSK or Rear Shackle Kit for it and runs factory Super Duty springs. These kits will raise the front of the truck by 2-3 inches. You will likely need to do something to the rear like changing to a taller block, adding a mini spring pack, or replacing the rear leaves.

to get a kit contact PMF fab in Tucson Arizona or you can contact Cary at CTperformanceinc.com and he can get you everything you need to make you truck ride as nice or nicer than a brand new leaf sprung Super Duty.

micky

Remove a leaf from the springs.

Hang a boss V plow on the front and fill the bed with green maple firewood.

she'll ride soooo nice.

my buddy has a bout 4/6 rail road Rails top with a sheet of plywood i want to say its a smaller rail as I have seen 20lb rail and 80lb rail...his fell somewhere in between