Forum Discussion

pcoplin's avatar
pcoplin
Explorer II
Dec 18, 2019

F350 Dually, anyone upgrade to F450 springs?

The rear springs are pretty saggy on my F350. 2005 Dually. It's used with 125k miles on it, must have had a good life towing a 5th wheel. It has a rear driveline vibration because of it.

I'm going to be buying new rear springs, the spring shop says they have a set of rear springs that are rated at 4500 lbs each, versus the stockers at around 3500 each. Should give around a 1 inch lift in the rear.

Anyone upgrade the rear springs on their Ford? Thanks for any experience.
  • jaycocreek wrote:
    You basically have the same TC I do...I have air bags on mine that came with the truck when I bought it..If I had had the option of air bags or extra springs,I would go with the extra springs instead..Having said that,my f-350 DRW handles that TC loaded extra heavy very well..

    IMHO adding springs trumps air bags..


    Thanks for the info.

    I've actually upgraded the camper, thus the upgrade to the Dually. I now have a 2009 Adventurer 650B. It's at least 500, maybe 1000 lb heavier than my old Lance.
  • You basically have the same TC I do...I have air bags on mine that came with the truck when I bought it..If I had had the option of air bags or extra springs,I would go with the extra springs instead..Having said that,my f-350 DRW handles that TC loaded extra heavy very well..

    IMHO adding springs trumps air bags..
  • Hi,

    I looked into doing 550 springs on my E-450. The spring shop added a leaf and things got better. I replaced the rear shocks and added timbrens.

    I'm happy with the results.
  • Air bags don’t increase load capacity. They level the truck.
  • I do already have upper and lower Stableloads. It's rides fine unloaded, but I don't mind a rough ride when unloaded, I only drive it to haul stuff, and most of it's miles are loaded with the camper and towing a Jeep on a trailer.
  • PNW_Steve wrote:
    I have not seen the 450/350 spring swap but I have seen a number of folks add airbags on the rear to increase load capacity and improve the ride.

    I don't think that I would want stiffer springs in my 3500. While it does ride reasonably when loaded. Empty, it rides like a buckboard and it is also my daily driver. I hope your Ford rides better :)


    Are you talking about the truck in your sig that has 22.5s? :D Likely not your springs that rides harsh?
  • not a direct answer, but I have a 2016 GMC 3500 Dually. I started with air bags and upper and lower stabiloads. Result was a bouncy house. Rancho 9000s sort of helped but ... Then I had a local spring shop add leaves to the rear and remove the airbags ... yes, the daily driver does ride a bit firmly, but it doesn't sag and the bounce is significantly reduced.
  • I have not seen the 450/350 spring swap but I have seen a number of folks add airbags on the rear to increase load capacity and improve the ride.

    I don't think that I would want stiffer springs in my 3500. While it does ride reasonably when loaded. Empty, it rides like a buckboard and it is also my daily driver. I hope your Ford rides better :)