'04 F-250, Taming Suspension

Recently acquired an '04 F-250 XLT, Super Cab, Super Duty, with 37K miles on it, as a company car. It has the super duty tires and suspension. This is a very rough riding truck. Don't have to haul anything with it.

What's the most practical way to tame the suspension on this truck? I've been told that letting the air pressure in the tires down to about 55 psig will smooth it out a little. I've also been told that putting 300-400 LB. weight in the bed will settle it down. Any other ideas?

Recently acquired an '04 F-250 XLT, Super Cab, Super Duty, with 37K miles on it, as a company car. It has the super duty tires and suspension. This is a very rough riding truck. Don't have to haul anything with it.

What's the most practical way to tame the suspension on this truck? I've been told that letting the air pressure in the tires down to about 55 psig will smooth it out a little. I've also been told that putting 300-400 LB. weight in the bed will settle it down. Any other ideas?

next time you are offered a new work truck ask for a chevy.:grinyes:

I have a '97 F250 4WD HD that I use as a ranch truck and I agree- the thing beats me to death. I drive on 2 track ranch roads all day long and by the end of the day, I am thrashed. The only time the truck really rides tolerably is when I have a ton of salt in the bed.

I'd be real interested in a fix, too.

My personal vehicle is a Chevy Suburban. That's like riding on marshmallows after the F250!!!

I would also be interested. I got a brand new F-250 Super Duty last week from the company, and it is like there are no springs in the truck. When I hit bumps or bad spots on the freeway, the truck tries to go out of control. There is no compliance with this suspension. The other day I was on a curvy off-ramp, hit a little bump in the road and the truck almost went into a skid. It is a dangerous truck to drive as far as I am concerned.

Also, like every Ford I have had to use from the company, it has brake problems. It is brand new, less than 2,000 miles and in hard braking, it pulls hard to the left. This truck sucks compared to my Chevy, but then Fords always did...

Later...

eti engineer

I would also be interested. I got a brand new F-250 Super Duty last week from the company, and it is like there are no springs in the truck. When I hit bumps or bad spots on the freeway, the truck tries to go out of control. There is no compliance with this suspension. The other day I was on a curvy off-ramp, hit a little bump in the road and the truck almost went into a skid. It is a dangerous truck to drive as far as I am concerned.

Also, like every Ford I have had to use from the company, it has brake problems. It is brand new, less than 2,000 miles and in hard braking, it pulls hard to the left. This truck sucks compared to my Chevy, but then Fords always did...

Later...

eti engineer

I have heard from a number of people that letting down the air pressure in the tires helps soften the ride a little, but I haven't tried it yet. The inflation pressures on the General tires installed max out at around 80 psig. The label on the gas cap door says 60 psig in front and 80 psig in back.

If you're hauling cargo, it would not be a good idea to reduce the tire pressure. But if this is a big car with a huge trunk, like mine, and you don't have to haul anything, this may be a reasonable first try. I've been told to take the tire pressure down to below 60 psig, but not less than 45.

I've also been told that adding some weight to the back, as in carrying a load, really tames the suspension. My friend told me his 4-wheeler really settled his truck and it weighs about 400 lbs. I'm considering getting some weather proof sand or gravel bags to carry to test this out, but I think this strategy will negate letting the air pressure down in the tires.

JF13

Well, they are a heavy duty truck ... but my dad has the same problem. They are too stiff.

My dad had some luck with his 01 by unhooking the sway bars.