F250 Springs revisited
Submitted: Thursday, Oct 11, 2007 at 05:05
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Luvntravln
We start from the premise that Big Red is bloated and so is the caravan.
Prior to a visit to Carrolls our rear air bags were 90psi and the front 40psi and we were almost flat on the second stage spring.
After spending $1500 and adding two leaf springs in the rear plus something done to the second stage, and an additional spring in the front, we were raised 80mm in the rear and 60mm in the front and the air bags are inflated to 20 simply because you shouldn'[t drive with them empty.
The price also included returning after 500k for a tensioning and tightening, and returning after we take delivery of our new heavier Boroma and having the entire system reevaluated and balanced.
The Rancho 9000 shocks were still in very good condition and nothing need to be replaced.
I should have done this a long time ago!!
Cheers, Ja7y
Reply By: Black Cobra - Thursday, Oct 11, 2007 at 09:14
Thursday, Oct 11, 2007 at 09:14
Jay,
My 250 is in at ARB getting their new OME suspension kit fitted and will pick it up tomorrow. I have also installed one of those huge RTC Tough Dog steering dampers so it will be interesting to see how the truck drives from before.
My only problem is that I had Polyair air bellows in the back with the standard suspension and now they do not fit because it has been raised 60mm and the bags are to short.
I can put spacers in to make up the lift but the problem is when the suspension travels it fullest when one wheel drops down the air bags would probably tear because of the extra travel.
Did you use the original air bags after fitting the suspension and if so what make are they as I know Firestone do have a longer air bag that will fit but Polyair do not.
Cheers
Stewart
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Luvntravln - Thursday, Oct 11, 2007 at 18:32
Thursday, Oct 11, 2007 at 18:32
Hi and I do not have the answer!!
When Carrolls does there "thing" they remove all air from the bags so that I had to put 20 psi "just because".
I am using the Firestone bags and when I did a quick look nothing seemed changed or stretched in that area.
I will ask them what they did regarding the bags in light of the 80mm rise.
Jay
FollowupID:
848663
Follow Up By: F Troop - Friday, Oct 12, 2007 at 00:13
Friday, Oct 12, 2007 at 00:13
Hi Jay,
I had Carrols do the same work 35k's ago, great job, I recomend it to any F250 owners.
P.S. I thought you would have learnt not to bait the ranger by now!! what a diferent responce on two sites.
Hope to see you on the road some where
Graham
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Luvntravln - Friday, Oct 12, 2007 at 03:42
Friday, Oct 12, 2007 at 03:42
Stewart, in looking at the bags they are - in a sense - squashed/not stretched!
The leafs have simply raised the bottom attachment plate of the airbags closer to the chasis.
Jay
FollowupID:
848665
Follow Up By: Luvntravln - Friday, Oct 12, 2007 at 03:46
Friday, Oct 12, 2007 at 03:46
Graham, how's tricks?
What in my post bated him? Did you see what I wrote to him in return? What a waste of time trying to help people when he is involved. See ya!
Jay
FollowupID:
848666
Follow Up By: F Troop - Friday, Oct 12, 2007 at 21:01
Friday, Oct 12, 2007 at 21:01
Hi Jay,
I think the bait was "Jay" and the take was spectacular, (lol) the return cast, honest and to the point.
A simple ( I'm happy with work done story) gone mad, at least no one jumps down your throat on this site any more.
The spring job was recomended to me by Alf Horn, and in turn I have recmended it to several others,
Any way have a good one
Graham
FollowupID:
848667
Follow Up By: Luvntravln - Saturday, Oct 13, 2007 at 18:35
Saturday, Oct 13, 2007 at 18:35
Graham, from his self-serving ego stroking response to my simple post I guess everyone now knows why I would not build another BT. It is a great product for the sometimes severe - if you choose to go there - outback of Australia. I would rather slightly limit my options of where I can go rather than deal with him in the future.
Look forward to seeing all of you Boggers on the road "somewhere".
Cheers, Jay
FollowupID:
848668
Reply By: Black Cobra - Tuesday, Oct 16, 2007 at 10:18
Tuesday, Oct 16, 2007 at 10:18
Finally picked up the truck with the ARB suspension and the lift was more than 60mm up to 80mm and the air bags do not fit due to the lift.
The big RTC steering damper has made a great difference and there is no wander anymore and the short driving I have done the truck drives totally different.
The only problem is that the steering damper is quite low, in line with the bottom of the diff and after speaking with the shop this is the way they are on the F250 but I like the more direct and firmer response.
Looks like some air bags going cheap.
Cheers
Stewart
AnswerID:
573102
Follow Up By: Frank Aus - Tuesday, Oct 16, 2007 at 23:43
Tuesday, Oct 16, 2007 at 23:43
Stewart,
Did you have front and rear airbags? may be interested if you have.
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Follow Up By: Black Cobra - Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 06:52
Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 06:52
Just the back air bags
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Follow Up By: Kingy - Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 17:44
Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 17:44
Stewart
Is the steering damper come as a separate item or part of the suspension upgrade. I had the Carroll's spring job done early this year but would like to fix the wanders the effie gets occasionally.
Peter
FollowupID:
848671
Follow Up By: Black Cobra - Friday, Oct 19, 2007 at 07:42
Friday, Oct 19, 2007 at 07:42
Peter
The steering damper is separate and I purchased one of those big Tough Dog RTC dampers, bloody big with a big coil spring around it also. Cost $300, the only problem is that the damper hangs pretty low basically in line with the bottom of the diff so you would have to be careful going over rough ground with large rocks etc.
Spoke with the supplier and he said that is the way they are on the F250's but I must admit it gives a positive and firm feel to the sterring and no wanders any more.
Cheers
Stewart
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