Roadmaster Anti Sway Bars, first impression
First off my 2003 F350 came with the camper package which on the suspension side included front and rear anti sway bars, heavier leaf packs and rear overloads. I added Rancho XL9000 shocks front and ...
Forum Discussion
When I use the term preload, think about a motorcycle or ATV shock and spring. You can screw the shock collar tighter or looser to engage more or less of the spring.
Depending on your truck you may have upper and lower and lower overload leaf springs or just the lower ones. These springs do not engage until the rear sags to a certain point - This is so that the unloaded ride quality is better. You want these overloads to engage sooner so you get less squat and the benefit of the additional springs. You do this by putting wedges in between the lower overload spring and the main spring pack or adding taller blocks to the upper overload spring pads. Now when you apply weight to the rear of the truck these additional springs engage sooner keeping your truck more level.
Unloaded ride quality will suffer if these overloads are always engaged, so Torklift makes a wedge that can be swung in out of position depending on load. They also make taller spring pads that still offer 1/2-1" of clearance (instead of the typical 3"+) from the upper overload spring. These taller pads will affect unloaded ride slightly on rough roads where you get more suspension travel, but are a good compromise.
I use both the blocks and wedges made by Torklift - They call them StableLoads. Although I also have Firestone air bags, these are only inflated more 10 PSI if I am towing to offset the tongue weight - I do not use the bags to support the main load and I always make sure the overload springs are engaged instead of riding on air pockets.
Depending on your truck you may have upper and lower and lower overload leaf springs or just the lower ones. These springs do not engage until the rear sags to a certain point - This is so that the unloaded ride quality is better. You want these overloads to engage sooner so you get less squat and the benefit of the additional springs. You do this by putting wedges in between the lower overload spring and the main spring pack or adding taller blocks to the upper overload spring pads. Now when you apply weight to the rear of the truck these additional springs engage sooner keeping your truck more level.
Unloaded ride quality will suffer if these overloads are always engaged, so Torklift makes a wedge that can be swung in out of position depending on load. They also make taller spring pads that still offer 1/2-1" of clearance (instead of the typical 3"+) from the upper overload spring. These taller pads will affect unloaded ride slightly on rough roads where you get more suspension travel, but are a good compromise.
I use both the blocks and wedges made by Torklift - They call them StableLoads. Although I also have Firestone air bags, these are only inflated more 10 PSI if I am towing to offset the tongue weight - I do not use the bags to support the main load and I always make sure the overload springs are engaged instead of riding on air pockets.
