Suspension Considerations for F350 DWR
We have recently purchased a 2003 Ford F350 DWR 4x4 with the 7.3L Diesel. Great running truck. Have decided to go with Torklift tie downs. We are still looking for the right camper. We like the Lance ...
Forum Discussion
Hi,
The tires should be 215/80R16E rated tires rated at about 2,400 pounds each in dual configuration! That is good for about 9,600 pounds on the rear axle.
The spring rate should be close to 4,500 pounds per side, or 9,000 total! That should be more than enough to handle the stock 3,000 pound rear axle weight and the 3,000 +/- camper weight. You do not have a 3/4 ton anymore, the springs will be stiff, and not need the airbags.
A larger sway bar might help a lot. You might also enjoy the drive a lot more with a steering damper. (I forget the correct name right now). IT is basically a shock absorber with one end on the steering tie rod, the other on the frame, so that small pot holes will not try to move the front end around, and should reduce vibration side to side in the steering wheel. Also during a front tire failure, it will slow the amount of twist to one side or the other that the tire is going to try to take the front end on a wild ride!
I would take the truck to a scale, and see what the base weight is. Subtract that from the GVWR, and you will see that all trucks built before 2005 have limited cargo rating, at least compared to the 14,000 GVWR that the new F-350 dually has! If you have crewcab (400#) or 4 wheel drive options (another 400#) you might not have all that much cargo rating. You already stated that the 7.3L diesel is there, adding about 700# more than the 351 or 5.4L of that timeframe had in it.
Have fun camping!
Fred.
The tires should be 215/80R16E rated tires rated at about 2,400 pounds each in dual configuration! That is good for about 9,600 pounds on the rear axle.
The spring rate should be close to 4,500 pounds per side, or 9,000 total! That should be more than enough to handle the stock 3,000 pound rear axle weight and the 3,000 +/- camper weight. You do not have a 3/4 ton anymore, the springs will be stiff, and not need the airbags.
A larger sway bar might help a lot. You might also enjoy the drive a lot more with a steering damper. (I forget the correct name right now). IT is basically a shock absorber with one end on the steering tie rod, the other on the frame, so that small pot holes will not try to move the front end around, and should reduce vibration side to side in the steering wheel. Also during a front tire failure, it will slow the amount of twist to one side or the other that the tire is going to try to take the front end on a wild ride!
I would take the truck to a scale, and see what the base weight is. Subtract that from the GVWR, and you will see that all trucks built before 2005 have limited cargo rating, at least compared to the 14,000 GVWR that the new F-350 dually has! If you have crewcab (400#) or 4 wheel drive options (another 400#) you might not have all that much cargo rating. You already stated that the 7.3L diesel is there, adding about 700# more than the 351 or 5.4L of that timeframe had in it.
Have fun camping!
Fred.
