Ford F250 Rear Spring Upgrade

[RDTC]

Has anyone upgraded rear springs on F250 2017-2020.

I have a 2019 F250. 5th Wheel is a Pinnacle 32RLTS. I have added air bags to deal with the weight.

Last weekend one of the airbags failed. The lower air bag bracket bent over about 40 degrees. This put the air bag in a very bad orientation. Looking back, I should have suspected something was going wrong. Every time I hooked up, I was having to increase the air bag pressure setting to get the truck level.

Last 30 miles home was on the axle bump stops. Dropped my speed down to about 55. Had to remove mud flaps.

My plan is to install OEM F350 springs. I have done some research. Looks like everything fits.

Has anyone done this upgrade. If so, let me know the details. Looks like 3 different spring packs are available for the F350. Trying to figure out which one to go with.

[Cincinnati Kid]

Originally Posted by RDTC

Has anyone upgraded rear springs on F250 2017-2020.

I have a 2019 F250. 5th Wheel is a Pinnacle 32RLTS. I have added air bags to deal with the weight.

Last weekend one of the airbags failed. The lower air bag bracket bent over about 40 degrees. This put the air bag in a very bad orientation. Looking back, I should have suspected something was going wrong. Every time I hooked up, I was having to increase the air bag pressure setting to get the truck level.

Last 30 miles home was on the axle bump stops. Dropped my speed down to about 55. Had to remove mud flaps.

My plan is to install OEM F350 springs. I have done some research. Looks like everything fits.

Has anyone done this upgrade. If so, let me know the details. Looks like 3 different spring packs are available for the F350. Trying to figure out which one to go with.

Can't help wondering if this is a parody post, just to bait the weight police. Just in case you're not just messing with us, you need to go back to the drawing board and check all your weights. No amount of springs or airbags can make a truck tow more than it can tow. Ford has a great Towing Guide for this. You are severely overloaded even with the trailer empty. You need a dually or a smaller trailer.

[jfk69]

This has to be a bait post. Too much trailer for that truck, and if the story is actually true, would tell you all you need to know about that truck with that trailer.

[Quantum]

It sounds like you're way over your payload. An F250s payload (with a diesel) is in 1/2 ton territory. A 32RLTS really needs a 1-ton truck.

[JohnWedell]

If he is actually that much overweight he has no business towing a trailer and is dangerous to everyone on the road.

[McEagle]

Weigh the trailer at a certified scale, especially the pin. I found out that the overall weight of my trailer was correct, but my pin weight is more than 900lbs heavier than what Jayco said it was, and that was with the trailer empty!!! My storage compartments are forward of the trailer axles, which will add more weight to the pin when I load it. I actually run with my water tank full, because it is behind the trailer axles and helps take weight off the pin.

[WayneTaylor]

If he is sitting on the rubber stoppers that is way to much trailer for his truck!
Accident waiting to happen!

[Jagiven]

So many things to discuss and so many questions.

I looked up your Pinnacle. Fully loaded Jayco says it should weigh 15,500 lbs. The pin weight should be 3,100 lbs, using the 20% pin weight calculation.

Per Google, Ford states generically, your F250 has a tow capacity of 12K to 18K lbs. What does your yellow door sticker say for payload?

Can you post an image of how your air bags are mounted and the failure? What air pressure where you running? I suspect leaf springs in back. Do you have any other suspension failures, such as broken leaf's? I just cannot believe you were on your bump stops, unless your payload capacity is on the lower end of the towing capacity, or other broken components.

If an air bag bracket broke on my TV, I am just back to regular springs, and I have a little more squat as my TV ages. Air bags do not add payload capacity, just help with leveling, in turns helps with handling.

Now to your suspension question, I would reach out to one of the Ford Truck forums and check there. I know on the older F250's the only real difference between a F250 and F350 was the suspension components. Not sure if that is still the case. I would also consider what front suspension changes might be required to balance the handling of the TV.

When you have a chance, I would run across a CAT scale to determine what your actual pin weight is.

You definitely have a serious issue, and I would not be pulling it until you have it straightened out.

[RDTC]

I have a plan. I have ordered the parts shown below.

A few more details. It is a 4WD diesel truck. I have the snow plow rated 5,990 front axle springs. Yellow door sticker payload rating is 2,151 lbs. I have a lot of weight in the bed. Roll up aluminum cartridge style tonneau cover. 45 Gallon in bed fuel tank. Rear bed tool box. 5th Wheel has generator and additional batteries.

I am guessing the rear axle weight is high. Good advise from Jagiven, I need to run it over a scale. Once I install the new parts. I will post the weights.

Air bags, initial pressure setting was 45 psi. Over time I have increased to 70 psi to get level. Lower bracket failed. Lower bracket is a 2 piece design with about 3 inch slotted holes on 4 fingers joining the 2 pieces together. Looks like bolts slipped on 2 inner fingers. Probably put all the weight on the outer 2 fingers and pushing the fingers outward toward the tire. Breaking the outer fingers and cut the bag. Looking back, once the 2 pieces were adjusted for the truck. I should have run a weld across the fingers.

Working with local Ford dealer. We cross matched my F250 vin with appropriately equipped F350 vin. Found the frame, axle, and brakes were an exact match. The springs were different and my F250 does not have a sway bar.

The F350 had the following parts. I have ordered them. Supply problems from Ford, some parts are on backorder until end of May.

F350 Springs and Sway Bar:
- HC3Z-5560-L, Springs
- HC3Z-5700-B, Overload bracket
- HC3Z-5700-A, Overload bracket
- E5TZSA636-A, Overload bracket pad
- W500634-S439, Overload bracket bolts
- W718336-S439, Spring bolt
- W717083-S442, Spring nut
- HC3Z-5A772-A, Stabilizer bar
- F81Z-5486-BA, Stabilizer bushing bracket
- HC3Z-5L499-A, Link bracket
- HC3Z-5K484-D, Stabilizer bar link

Once parts are installed, I will post before and after parts. I will include trailer and truck axle weights.

[Cincinnati Kid]

Originally Posted by RDTC

I have a plan. I have ordered the parts shown below.

A few more details. It is a 4WD diesel truck. I have the snow plow rated 5,990 front axle springs. Yellow door sticker payload rating is 2,151 lbs. I have a lot of weight in the bed. Roll up aluminum cartridge style tonneau cover. 45 Gallon in bed fuel tank. Rear bed tool box. 5th Wheel has generator and additional batteries.

I am guessing the rear axle weight is high. Good advise from Jagiven, I need to run it over a scale. Once I install the new parts. I will post the weights.

Air bags, initial pressure setting was 45 psi. Over time I have increased to 70 psi to get level. Lower bracket failed. Lower bracket is a 2 piece design with about 3 inch slotted holes on 4 fingers joining the 2 pieces together. Looks like bolts slipped on 2 inner fingers. Probably put all the weight on the outer 2 fingers and pushing the fingers outward toward the tire. Breaking the outer fingers and cut the bag. Looking back, once the 2 pieces were adjusted for the truck. I should have run a weld across the fingers.

Working with local Ford dealer. We cross matched my F250 vin with appropriately equipped F350 vin. Found the frame, axle, and brakes were an exact match. The springs were different and my F250 does not have a sway bar.

The F350 had the following parts. I have ordered them. Supply problems from Ford, some parts are on backorder until end of May.

F350 Springs and Sway Bar:
- HC3Z-5560-L, Springs
- HC3Z-5700-B, Overload bracket
- HC3Z-5700-A, Overload bracket
- E5TZSA636-A, Overload bracket pad
- W500634-S439, Overload bracket bolts
- W718336-S439, Spring bolt
- W717083-S442, Spring nut
- HC3Z-5A772-A, Stabilizer bar
- F81Z-5486-BA, Stabilizer bushing bracket
- HC3Z-5L499-A, Link bracket
- HC3Z-5K484-D, Stabilizer bar link

Once parts are installed, I will post before and after parts. I will include trailer and truck axle weights.

All those extra parts will do one thing for sure- reduce your available payload even more, and make you even more overweight. Suggest you cancel parts, and go to the scale first, before you spend all that money. I'm still not sure if you are kidding about this entire post.

[TxLoser]

Changing out the rear leafs to match a 350 seems reasonable. More reasonable than buying a new yellow sticker for 60K. Particularly when that’s the only difference between the 250/350 in this case.

I have experience with this in the Chevy world. Pulled my trailer with my 2500. I was 900-1000lbs over. Added Sumo Springs and while my sticker didn’t change, it towed great. A few months later I picked up a SRW 3500. Same exact truck except the overload springs. Towing experience is identical except for a slightly softer ride due to riding on the 3500 overload springs vs the Sumo springs. So, I essentially did the same thing, all be it more simplistically. Technically I’m still way overloaded. Just renewed my registration and noticed my weight is listed at 7600 lbs on a 1 ton.

Having said all that, I do think this particular combo may be better suited to a DRW. Don’t think I’d venture beyond the Eagle FW’s without a DRW.

I’m not sure what’s really more dangerous. An overloaded 3/4 ton taking it slow because it’s not as comfortable or a DRW with a Pinnacle going 75 and “forgetting it’s back there”. I think safe or not safe has more to do with the driver and the driver’s attitude than the combo. To a certain point at least.

[Big1]

Originally Posted by TxLoser

Changing out the rear leafs to match a 350 seems reasonable. More reasonable than buying a new yellow sticker for 60K. Particularly when that’s the only difference between the 250/350 in this case.

I have experience with this in the Chevy world. Pulled my trailer with my 2500. I was 900-1000lbs over. Added Sumo Springs and while my sticker didn’t change, it towed great. A few months later I picked up a SRW 3500. Same exact truck except the overload springs. Towing experience is identical except for a slightly softer ride due to riding on the 3500 overload springs vs the Sumo springs. So, I essentially did the same thing, all be it more simplistically. Technically I’m still way overloaded. Just renewed my registration and noticed my weight is listed at 7600 lbs on a 1 ton.

Having said all that, I do think this particular combo may be better suited to a DRW. Don’t think I’d venture beyond the Eagle FW’s without a DRW.

I’m not sure what’s really more dangerous. An overloaded 3/4 ton taking it slow because it’s not as comfortable or a DRW with a Pinnacle going 75 and “forgetting it’s back there”. I think safe or not safe has more to do with the driver and the driver’s attitude than the combo. To a certain point at least.

So the registration on your 2019 Dmax is 7600 lbs that don't sound right I have mines at 12,000 lbs.

[TxLoser]

It’s not right, but that’s what it says on the registration paperwork. I’d change it, but not sure if that means buying a new sticker and paying more for higher weight. I’m lazy and cheap.

[Jay2504]

If the OP added the parts on the list, doesn’t he then end up with an F350 except for the sticker. I wonder what the payload difference is between the his truck and the one that the Ford dealer used to order the parts. Jay.

[Cincinnati Kid]

Originally Posted by Jay2504

If the OP added the parts on the list, doesn’t he then end up with an F350 except for the sticker. I wonder what the payload difference is between the his truck and the one that the Ford dealer used to order the parts. Jay.

Here's a chart for that.

https://media.ford.com/content/dam/f...rder-Guide.pdf

[Jay2504]

Looks like according to the chart, the OP goes from around 2,300 in payload to around 3,600 in payload. Jay.

[TCNashville]

Originally Posted by Jay2504

If the OP added the parts on the list, doesn’t he then end up with an F350 except for the sticker. I wonder what the payload difference is between the his truck and the one that the Ford dealer used to order the parts. Jay.

The only other difference I can think of is an F-350 comes with the Dana m275 rear axle and an F-250 comes with the Sterling rear axle unless the F-250 has the heavy duty tow package, which would come with the Dana. The Dana has a heavier duty rating.

[2021JayFlight28BHS]

Originally Posted by TCNashville

The only other difference I can think of is an F-350 comes with the Dana m275 rear axle and an F-250 comes with the Sterling rear axle unless the F-250 has the heavy duty tow package, which would come with the Dana. The Dana has a heavier duty rating.

Need to air the tires up 80 psi as well, don’t you?

[jfk69]

I don’t think it matters what he does. Aluminum tonneau cover? 45 gallon auxiliary tank? Hitch? Loaded fiver that is heavy to begin with? It’s too much for that truck.

[RDTC]

Problem solved with a new strategy. My boss(aka my wife), has been questioning the spring upgrade strategy. Along with many others in this post.

The boss approved the purchase of a new yellow sticker. A new 2021 F350 was attached to the yellow sticker. Very difficult to find a new truck in this market. Picked it up tonight.

No sway bar on the new F350. The sway bar I ordered will fit. Will install when it arrives.

Unfortunately, I will not be using the springs I ordered and they are not returnable.