Power Strokes 1994-1997 Upgrades and AftermarketUpgrading or adding OEM or aftermarket equipment to your 1994-1997 Ford F-Series with Power Stroke engine.
Recently had installed "SD" rear springs and thought I'd report.
It is true that there is a definite improvement in the ride over the originals. The sharp bumps, like seams or patches in pavement and even reflectors have a less sharp effect. The truck even seems quieter; I believe a result of the softer initial rate transmitting less vibration and road noise into the cab.
Also when one drives through a sharp dip (ie: gutters where streets meet) it doesn’t bounce way back up and send all the contents of the bed flying (and you), it seems to just slowly return from compression (haven’t tested this at crazy speeds but clearly better than before).
All the above is true when towing as well. Plus I felt I had a little better control towing...maybe the old springs were toast after 290+K.
I was able to run only about 60lbs in my air bags rather than the 70-80 I typically ran before. I may even be able to run less, but I set them to get the truck a little level, not too squatted in the rear. One must account that I run pretty heavy tongue weight on an enclosed tag car trailer and thus still use the airbags.
It is visually clear that I am able to keep the helpers well off the pads sitting static and, guessing from the ride, I'd say while both unladen and towing.
It is true that the new ones raised the truck about one inch, after the first tow the truck seemed to settle a little and does not have an unbalanced look of rake to it. So I would say no concern there. Also my fronts are orig so may be a little sagged too.
The springs were Dayton number 43-1263 and on their chart were for 99-04 "DRW, two stage", grading (I assume this is the description of the spring pack) was "1/360, 3/341, 2nd 1/827". I ordered them through Scott at Deaver spring.
If there is a desire I could try to post the Dayton page from which they were sourced. At this time I have no idea how to post a pdf on here but could give it a shot.
I would say all who tried this and posted were right on and thanks go out to Cary for counsel on this, another great guy to deal with, discovered on this site. I am ordering a set of custom Bilsteins though him too! Hope that helps even more.
If I planned on keeping my OBS (as I do) and put many miles on it and wanted a better riding truck I would definitely do this.
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1995 CC DRW, 7.3 PSD, 300+K (bought it at 190K), 5spd, SB ConO, 4:10's, BDP D66, BDP stg 1's (at 275+K), Dieselsite CPR, 205* thermo (napa), SD hpop, Tymar intake, Tymar 4" exh turbo back, Tymar HX, Wildman 4 pos chip (OMG!), Hypermax I/C, modded IDM, two pyros pre turbo, boost gauge, Schaefer's 5/40, doesn't burn a drop, Gear Vendor OD at 250K...neat, Transfer Flow 98 gal tank, 235/85/16 Michelin XPS Rib, Bilstein's, Firestone Ride-Rites, SD rear leafs.
2000 E350 ext cab, 120K, 7.3 PSD fairly stock, 3.55s, Jody's tunes, 203* thermo, pyro, ScanGauge, Schaefer's in eng, trans and diff, rear air bags, Michelin LTX MS 245/75/16, Bilstiens,
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