k0538

I have a 2006 f150 4x4. I wanted to increase my load capacity so I can haul more weight. I have a woodstove and I want to carry heavier loads of firewood. Am I going to need new shocks or will leaf springs alone be ok? Do they sell kits that will jack me up to f250 level? what are my options? Any brand shocks/leaf springs I should stay away from?
Any advise is appreciated!

Thanks,

Kirk

Lenn

Well you could do the Add-A-Leaf thing and use those to stiffen up the rear... Problem is that you will have a GAWD AWEFUL rake down to the front if you go with AAL's. In that instance, you would get a front end level to try to even it out. You could even actually go to the extent of taking out your factory lift blocks when you install the AAL's and it should keep it fairly level.

Really, the AAL's are the most cost effective way of doing this. The best but subsequently more expensive way would be to get rid of the leaf springs alltogether and use an airbag system. Just be sure to do something about your brakes. Use ceramic pads or something more aggressive to make sure you can stop all your newly acquired load abilities.

mattd17

in my opinion, the BEST fix for you is a set of airbags. you can get a pair for about 200.00. they have a very easy no drill install, and rated for up to 5000 lbs. if you want to go one step further, you can spend another 200 and get an air compressor and gauge unit to inflate/deflate from the cab as you wish. you will have control of your height with the bags. mine will lift my rear end about 2-2.5" when filled.

k0538

If i dont get the compressor and gauge how would I inflate the bags? They just stay inflated? If I get the bags then the leaf springs come out or do they stay?

Kirk

spdkilz02

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FIP-2350/

check it out, we even have the instructions on there that you can go ahead and read before you even buy it.

leaf springs stay, this is just additional support

spdkilz02

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FIP-2071/

and that is another one to check out as well.

ford4wd08

you would air it up like a tire it will have a valve stem or something similar to air it up with from a gas station your own compressor etc, and youll let it out the same way, with a compressor on board you flip a switch or something to get it to the height or load capacity you want

Thunderslide

do you have plans for stopping the extra load?

BUZZFX4

Can you ballpark how much extra weight you might be carrying? How much over max payload do you think you be? Because if your not going to be greatly exceeding your max for your truck you might want to just think about using a set of helper springs.

redneckhillbilly

if you got some money to spend i would go with the air bags, if not i picked up a set of helper springs from advance auto parts for $25 that has helped out my truck a lot. they attach to the bottom of the leaf pack behind the rear axle. it took about a half hour to install them. they wont effect the ride of the truck very much when empty and they dont jack up the rear end like add a leafs do.