[gasgzlr]

Hi everyone,

I did a little searching on this topic, but nothing really answered my question directly. My '02 F250 has a 3" lift on front and rear (I double checked by measuring my rear blocks and confirming that the factory block was there as well) and factory overload springs. If an effort to level things out while towing my fifth wheel, I bought a set of Firestone Ride-Rite air bags that mount inside the frame rail/to the axle housing rather than outside/leaf spring mount ones. I also purchased a set of their 3" spacers.

I was installing last night and it seemed really tight between the brackets, so I got to looking. I found on the internet that there should be 8.5-9.5" in between the top and bottom brackets when there is a 3" lift block added to the factory setup. Mine has 7".

I'm assuming that my factory springs are sagging a bit after 14 years, but I honestly never noticed it unloaded before. Is it recommended to use the bags and spacers that I have and just let the bags level it out? Should I get shorter spacers? Do I need to add a leaf or otherwise address the springs? Am I way off and completely missing the answer?

Thanks!!! :grin2:

 

[gasgzlr]

Here are some pictures of everything mocked up with the truck sitting on the tires in my garage, so it's "at rest" I guess. :lol:

 

[blue99stroker]

You can get a set of 4" tapered blocks or just add another leadf or two.

 

[Texkenusmc]

I would as blue said the air bags will make a much better ride towing I only need 40psi in mine pulling 12k trailer.

 

[gasgzlr]

I did some more research and found that, since the F250 has shorter factory blocks, it doesn't need as big of a spacer with the inboard bags. Firestone doesn't tell you that. Basically, without the spacers, the distance between the upper and lower brackets is right at 7". Firestone suggests that these bags like to be between 5.5" and 7", so, in my case, I'm returning the spacers.

I double checked and the rear of my truck sits 2" higher at the wheel well than the front with equal amounts of lift front and rear, so there isn't enough sag there to worry about if any at all.