Upgrading rear leaf springs?

[GIjoe]

I have a 302a leveled and I think I’m going to put it to work now. Probably add a topper + tools (1-200lbs maybe) + occasional wire/material and ladder. It’s not a lot but it can add up on occasion. I have the single leaf setup and I was debating swapping out to the 3 leaf or adding RAS. Any thoughts?

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[EcoB259]

I switched to Fox 2.0 and use RAS to keep the rear from sagging with my 22' enclosed trailer.
I put Fox 2.5 DSC on front to level truck out but had the sag and when I put the RAS on it raised the rear up 2.5 inches giving me rake again.

 

[Graygoose2021]

Will have some Fox 2.0s for sale soon, upgrading to Eibach resi's.
Buddy of mine has a 2020 STX, and a travel trailer. On stock shocks, it squatted. He added Fox 2.0 made a huge difference. He may add helper airbags later, to help even more.

 

[Polo08816]

I have a 302a leveled and I think I’m going to put it to work now. Probably add a topper + tools (1-200lbs maybe) + occasional wire/material and ladder. It’s not a lot but it can add up on occasion. I have the single leaf setup and I was debating swapping out to the 3 leaf or adding RAS. Any thoughts?

For 3 leaf options, you could consider the Heavy Duty Payload Package leaf springs. But doing a level on the front axle doesn't help in terms of the squatted look.

Will have some Fox 2.0s for sale soon, upgrading to Eibach resi's.
Buddy of mine has a 2020 STX, and a travel trailer. On stock shocks, it squatted. He added Fox 2.0 made a huge difference. He may add helper airbags later, to help even more.

I wouldn't think rear shocks will impact a static ride height. It may impact how the truck (and trailer) handle.

 

[Graygoose2021]

I wouldn't think rear shocks will impact a static ride height. It may impact how the truck (and trailer) handle.

The factory shocks are terrible. When I pulled mine off to put 2.0's on, you could collapse factory shocks easily! he Fox 2.0's...wow...better make the bolt hole the first time, a lot harder to collapse. Stronger shock to hold the weight.
Agreed, wont change ride height unloaded, but world of difference when camper was hooked up.

 

[GIjoe]

I have fox 2.0 on the rear as well, that was a fun install! I had to drink a protein shake when I was done ha!

I’ll probably go RAS for the ease of install, price and slight increase in rear ride height should even out. I have like 1.25” rake and I could always lower the front. I’d just like to keep the rake for the days when I load up heavy.

 

[jlandry]

The factory shocks are terrible. When I pulled mine off to put 2.0's on, you could collapse factory shocks easily! he Fox 2.0's...wow...better make the bolt hole the first time, a lot harder to collapse. Stronger shock to hold the weight.
Agreed, wont change ride height unloaded, but world of difference when camper was hooked up.

I have the eibach coilovers up front and still on stock shocks in the rear... It acts like the shocks are not there when you hit a bump. They for sure are lacking from the factory. Front is smooth as can be over a bump then you get a jolt from the rear.

 

[Graygoose2021]

I have the eibach coilovers up front and still on stock shocks in the rear... It acts like the shocks are not there when you hit a bump. They for sure are lacking from the factory. Front is smooth as can be over a bump then you get a jolt from the rear.

yes, kinda scary...had a RCSB Ram 1500, hit railroad tracks about 50, ass end went everywhere, scared the crap out of me...didn't realize it didn't come with a rear sway bar!

 

[GIjoe]

Ok so to circle back to this… I had no idea there were so many different rear leaf spring rates. How do I figure out what spring rate I currently have and am I right to assume that any 3-leaf setup will be an upgrade to my single leaf setup for my purposes of carrying a constant load in the truck?

 

[SALEEN961]

Ok so to circle back to this… I had no idea there were so many different rear leaf spring rates. How do I figure out what spring rate I currently have and am I right to assume that any 3-leaf setup will be an upgrade to my single leaf setup for my purposes of carrying a constant load in the truck?

If you check the stickers in your driver's door jamb, one of them will list your front GAWR and rear GAWR; using those numbers, you can look up which spring rates your truck has.

 

[SALEEN961]

 

[GIjoe]

Thanks ?

 

[Calson]

My 2022 F-150 has a payload rating of 1800 lbs with its max tow package, so adding a 200 lb camper shell made no discernible difference in bed height. With my previous trucks I added SuperSprings to gain more real payload capacity.

Shock absorbers are more correctly called shock dampeners as all they do is dampen the movement of the springs. Too little load support and the shocks get a workout and their life is going to be shorter.

Overall I prefer the Rancho adjustable shocks as I can tune the resistance for the front wheels separate from the rear wheels (where 80% of the load is supported).

 

[GIjoe]

My 2022 F-150 has a payload rating of 1800 lbs with its max tow package, so adding a 200 lb camper shell made no discernible difference in bed height. With my previous trucks I added SuperSprings to gain more real payload capacity.

Shock absorbers are more correctly called shock dampeners as all they do is dampen the movement of the springs. Too little load support and the shocks get a workout and their life is going to be shorter.

Overall I prefer the Rancho adjustable shocks as I can tune the resistance for the front wheels separate from the rear wheels (where 80% of the load is supported).

I have 1855lbs payload rating with no tow packages but a single rear leaf setup. 200lbs of tools drops it half inch +. I still have to add the topper, more tools, ladders, wire etc. and I know that’ll make it squat. I have like 1.25” rake with my level but I’m trying to keep that. The right answer is to probably lower the front back down but I’ll probably raise the rear with a RAS setup or do add-a-leaf. Going with oem 3 leaf setup is pricier than all those options it seems.

 

[GIjoe]

I’ll update my thread-
My topper came in finally after 12 weeks. I replaced my factory block with a 2” block giving me +.75”. Adding the topper and my tools made it squat .75” so it’s a wash but that’s what I was after. I added HD RAS and on the lowest setting it gave me +5/8”. Sits perfect, handles better with the ras, and I can adjust it higher if need be. I swapped out my fox 2.0 coilovers for Bilstein 6112 today. I’ll save that review until I install the rears tomorrow but my initial impression is much better than fox. My God what a money pit these trucks are! I should’ve just stuck with another f250!

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