Anyone explored replacement leaf springs?

[FaKtor34]

What are the cons to air bags? Had them from the factory on the last tow vehicle but there was also zero off road time with it.

My problem with air bags is the extra cost that comes with them, the fact they do limit articulation at least somewhat and that they are more of a permanent, they are great if you primarily use it as a tow vehicle and have an onboard air system. The good things about the RAS are it's a simple system, does the job with limiting much, helps with stabilizing the rear end some and can be easily removed or added as needed.

 

[Fozzy]

Just remember with Daystar air bag cradles the articulation problem has been gone for years. Just costs you and extra $80.00 or so.

 

[dmonds03]

I put the Falcon Teraflex tow/haul shocks which helped.. but still, heavier springs would be nice.. I was looking at finding some salvaged springs from a 21+ F150 that had the max tow but figuring out part numbers and differences on these springs seems to be more difficult than I realized.. but if a standard F150 w max tow has heavier springs then that seems the route to go.. plus, nicer shocks in the back..

 

[jdangel2]

Will heavier leafs hurt the ride quality?

I read Tremor Trails review of Halo Lifts and am considering sending mine back before being installed. Most everyone says it should make it more plush over potholes, but his first hand experience says otherwise.

Sorry to hijack a bit, but if I do add some heavier leafs at some point I wouldn’t want the ride to be even worse … if I do stick with the Halos

 

[jdangel2]

I put the Falcon Teraflex tow/haul shocks which helped.. but still, heavier springs would be nice.. I was looking at finding some salvaged springs from a 21+ F150 that had the max tow but figuring out part numbers and differences on these springs seems to be more difficult than I realized.. but if a standard F150 w max tow has heavier springs then that seems the route to go.. plus, nicer shocks in the back..

How are you liking the Falcons? I am having a bit of buyer’s remorse with the Halos 2.0 and haven’t even gotten them installed yet. I am looking for what gets me closer to a Raptor style ride that you don’t feel potholes at 20 or 100. Does the Falcon achieve that a bit AND allow for better towing?!

 

[FaKtor34]

How are you liking the Falcons? I am having a bit of buyer’s remorse with the Halos 2.0 and haven’t even gotten them installed yet. I am looking for what gets me closer to a Raptor style ride that you don’t feel potholes at 20 or 100. Does the Falcon achieve that a bit AND allow for better towing?!

Nothing will give you that ride but the Raptor, fox shocks would be as close as your going to get to that type of ride and without going long or mid travel will never achieve that.

 

[Bannerman]

Will heavier leafs hurt the ride quality?

I read Tremor Trails review of Halo Lifts and am considering sending mine back before being installed. Most everyone says it should make it more plush over potholes, but his first hand experience says otherwise.

Sorry to hijack a bit, but if I do add some heavier leafs at some point I wouldn’t want the ride to be even worse … if I do stick with the Halos

My Halos are just fine over potholes.

A "heavier" spring rate will indeed stiffen ride, if you are just talking about a higher spring rate. Something like a Deaver spring has a more progressive rate than the stock spring by having thinner, but much number of leaves. So as the spring compresses, more springs are "engaged". (this is an oversimplification as all springs are technically bending since the springs are touching, with the exception of an overload spring, but you get the point).

This is one of the reasons I'm still hesitant about the RAS system, it's combining the stock springs with a progressive spring rate with the more linear coil spring. It's a bit of a Frankenstein setup, I'd rather just spend the money on a proper spring pack.

 

[jdangel2]

Nothing will give you that ride but the Raptor, fox shocks would be as close as you’re going to get to that type of ride and without going long or mid travel will never achieve that.

Well. That sucks. Lol.

 

[bob949]

My problem with air bags is the extra cost that comes with them, the fact they do limit articulation at least somewhat and that they are more of a permanent, they are great if you primarily use it as a tow vehicle and have an onboard air system. The good things about the RAS are it's a simple system, does the job with limiting much, helps with stabilizing the rear end some and can be easily removed or added as needed.

You really should try Daystar cradles. They make alot of difference. I have had them on two lifted trucks.

 

[FaKtor34]

You really should try Daystar cradles. They make alot of difference. I have had them on two lifted trucks.

I am not a fan of air bags period, if I used the vehicle to tow only with it might be a consideration but just not worth it, time and money wise for me to fool with air bags. While they help with added support from the weight while towing they don't do anything else that would help or benefit me besides add something else that could cause a problem.

 

[bob949]

You sound like a candidate for Deaver springs. They will build the spring for your truck and your truck only. My son had his Raptor springs built by Deaver

 

[LateApex]

Just remember with Daystar air bag cradles the articulation problem has been gone for years. Just costs you and extra $80.00 or so.

Thanks for mentioning this, had no idea these existed. If I end up with air bags the Daystar cradles will very likely be part of the install.

 

[dmonds03]

How are you liking the Falcons? I am having a bit of buyer’s remorse with the Halos 2.0 and haven’t even gotten them installed yet. I am looking for what gets me closer to a Raptor style ride that you don’t feel potholes at 20 or 100. Does the Falcon achieve that a bit AND allow for better towing?!

The falcons are outstanding.. very solid and responsive feel.. and you have soft, mid and heavy settings on the rear shocks depending on terrain or towing.. I've owned a '21 f150 w max tow and the ride was still great.. so I'm not convinced adding a heavier factory spring would change the ride quality all that much.. but again, I'm not certain what the differences are between a standard f150 spring w tow package and the tremor springs..

 

[Fozzy]

Icon and Deaver make springs for the old Raptors. Now it’s got coils it doesn’t seem like they are in a hurry to make anything. Probably going to have to pay for custom build ones. My bet is the Gen15’s will be coil in the rear like the Raptor.

 

[FaKtor34]

Icon and Deaver make springs for the old Raptors. Now it’s got coils it doesn’t seem like they are in a hurry to make anything. Probably going to have to pay for custom build ones. My bet is the Gen15’s will be coil in the rear like the Raptor.

If they follow how others are doing things then I would agree, coils in the rear on trucks are becoming more and more common place.

 

[hotrodmex]

If they follow how others are doing things then I would agree, coils in the rear on trucks are becoming more and more common place.

Considering they just did the development to move to the composite leaf for most of the F150s, I bet it will still be a ways yet. Yes, I do see that the switch on the Raptor could mean it's coming.

On the whole, though, Ford is about doing things cheap and simple. You add a lot more parts going to a multi link, and Farley was already on record talking about how their unique part count for their vehicle catalog was already out of control.

 

[mxvet]

isn't the purpose of the tremor to be a off-road capable truck? The softer ride is so much better (off-road) IMO-- I'm not talking about racing in the desert off-road (Raptor) but 4x4 2-track stuff. I love it. I plan to add cradles and air bags for the few times the payload squats too much. For heavy hauling and towing I use the F350 for now. That thing will loosen your fillings on the same trails.

 

[FaKtor34]

isn't the purpose of the tremor to be a off-road capable truck? The softer ride is so much better (off-road) IMO-- I'm not talking about racing in the desert off-road (Raptor) but 4x4 2-track stuff. I love it. I plan to add cradles and air bags for the few times the payload squats too much. For heavy hauling and towing I use the F350 for now. That thing will loosen your fillings on the same trails.

Cradles and air bags still limit travel, I understand that with the cradles it is much better than without, but as you said use a super duty for heavier hauling or towing.

 

[FaKtor34]

Considering they just did the development to move to the composite leaf for most of the F150s, I bet it will still be a ways yet. Yes, I do see that the switch on the Raptor could mean it's coming.

On the whole, though, Ford is about doing things cheap and simple. You add a lot more parts going to a multi link, and Farley was already on record talking about how their unique part count for their vehicle catalog was already out of control.

Ram and certain tundra's are using coils in the rear, that's why I think it won't be long before Ford does.

 

[LukeAngel]

I've sure FoMoCo made the spring rate soft as most people don't actually use their trucks for much more than groceries but those of you who do load it up, I'm sure have been unimpressed. 1200# pounds in the bed below and it was riding way lower than I would like. I am thinking about reaching to Deaver for some options but just wondering if anyone else has explored this yet? I don't mind throwing some money at this problem. Airbags, helper springs, roadmaster active whatever are cheap bandaids that don't truly solve the problem since they all have their drawbacks. I'm wanting a progressive, linear that does not limit articulation. I run around 80% of the time with not a lot of weight in the bed but not uncommon to put this much, and more, weight in the bed. I've got a three+ hour trip Friday with a max-GVRW load for instance.


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I've sure FoMoCo made the spring rate soft as most people don't actually use their trucks for much more than groceries but those of you who do load it up, I'm sure have been unimpressed. 1200# pounds in the bed below and it was riding way lower than I would like. I am thinking about reaching to Deaver for some options but just wondering if anyone else has explored this yet? I don't mind throwing some money at this problem. Airbags, helper springs, roadmaster active whatever are cheap bandaids that don't truly solve the problem since they all have their drawbacks. I'm wanting a progressive, linear that does not limit articulation. I run around 80% of the time with not a lot of weight in the bed but not uncommon to put this much, and more, weight in the bed. I've got a three+ hour trip Friday with a max-GVRW load for instance.


View attachment 17337

Off topic, how do you like the Open Country AT III tires and what pressure do you run? Thanks