Camping Rig and Compensating for Winch - Stock springs with aftermarket struts/shocks?

[Thatwaspontus]

Hey All,

Probably one of the few that don't notice any ride issues with the OEM FX4 shocks. That being said...

Going to be installing a Warn VR Evo 10 (steel cable, not synthetic) on the 589 Fab mount. Already have a set of plywood bed drawers full of shit underneath the Softopper. Tow a utility trailer around town or my Livin' Lite Quicksilver (~1500lbs) and in the truck a full load of camping gear, mountain bikes, dogs, etc... through the western half of the continent with a healthy mix of highway/gravel road/double track. I am planning on offloading the weight of the bikes to the trailer.

Absolutely not looking to level the truck. Headlights pointed to the sky when doing truck stuff is not my kinda look. Won't be going with an aftermark front bumper or heavier duty cap than the Softopper.

Do want to maintain front end clearance for a taller tire on stock wheels (i.e. 255/75R17) and maintain drivability on and offroad when not loaded with camping gear and the trailer.

The question, if I go Bilstein 5100s on all 4 corners, fronts set to 1.2" or 1.8" and the BDS 1" shackle in the rear will the stock springs up front manage the weight of +100lbs of winch and mount?

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[Msfitoy]

This is something only you can answer since everyone's setup combination is different...your list sounds unique so you'll have to trial and error like we all did...then make adjustments...my guess you'll probably need a heavier front spring...

 

[RuggedRanger]

I don’t think 100lbs up front is going to too noticeable. I’d hold off on the rear shackles and wait to see what happens first. My advice is to make minor changes and wait to see what happens before buying the next thing.

 

[QuickSilver]

I run that warn winch and a small bumper insert from JCR off-road, bilstein 6112 upfront and had no droop, if that helps

 

[Thatwaspontus]

I don’t think 100lbs up front is going to too noticeable. I’d hold off on the rear shackles and wait to see what happens first. My advice is to make minor changes and wait to see what happens before buying the next thing.

That's what I'm thinking, just want to have a bit of a game plan in place if it proves to mess with the stock suspension dynamics too much.

I run that warn winch and a small bumper insert from JCR off-road, bilstein 6112 upfront and had no droop, if that helps

Thanks QuickSilver. Do you know the spring rate of the coils on the 6112?

 

[QuickSilver]

That's what I'm thinking, just want to have a bit of a game plan in place if it proves to mess with the stock suspension dynamics too much.



Thanks QuickSilver. Do you know the spring rate of the coils on the 6112?

Not off hand but I believe it’s approx 100lb over stock, in the 600’s … I believe

 

[QuickSilver]

Not off hand but I believe it’s approx 100lb over stock, in the 600’s … I believe

they are also adjustable so could compensate but like I said mine never sagged. The back end of my truck is a different story with topper and drawers etc.

 

[RuggedRanger]

The nice thing about those up front shocks is they’re adjustable without having to remove the tension on the springs.

Regarding leveling, always going to have some droop in the bed when hauling or towing. Stock the bed is ~2” taller than front so headlights are adjusted for that, which means even loading the stock bed with wait will raise those headlights up.

It’s super annoying to me because everyone in California will be all too happy to let me know at night. I think the Australian version has auto-leveling headlights (I think their government requires it on trucks). No idea why we can’t have that here. It’s a bunch of BS from Ford if anyone were askme.

I already spent the money on the HD OME springs and I regret it. They’re awesome with a camper off-road, or pulling heavy trailers, but between the rake and the stiff springs while unloaded.. big mistake. I plan to eventually swap them out with light duty springs and airbags. Just need to get through the 4.46 gear swap first.

 

[Thatwaspontus]

Regarding leveling, always going to have some droop in the bed when hauling or towing. Stock the bed is ~2” taller than front so headlights are adjusted for that, which means even loading the stock bed with wait will raise those headlights up.

It’s super annoying to me because everyone in California will be all too happy to let me know at night. I think the Australian version has auto-leveling headlights (I think their government requires it on trucks). No idea why we can’t have that here. It’s a bunch of BS from Ford if anyone were askme.

Oh well aware. Same story in Alberta, especially once I'm loaded up with camping gear. My plywood drawers are built into the bed so no removing them. And as i said, they're full of shit. The trailer itself is super light (<1000lbs dry, ~1500lbs loaded up), all aluminum and a pretty negligible effect on tongue weight. But it's a pop-up, which is the limiting factor with what I can put in there, so cooler, bikes, etc... all wind up in the bed. Hence why I'm curious how folks with mostly stock trucks are finding the addition of a winch up front affecting things.

I already spent the money on the HD OME springs and I regret it. They’re awesome with a camper off-road, or pulling heavy trailers, but between the rake and the stiff springs while unloaded.. big mistake. I plan to eventually swap them out with light duty springs and airbags. Just need to get through the 4.46 gear swap first.

Good to know. If money was no object, the Ford Performance OME kit would be ordered, which I think comes with 605lb front coils and the medium duty leaf springs. But at 3x the cost of Bilsteins and shackles when I've only smacked the skid plates once or twice... Winch installed first, tires in the spring, go from there if things are too squishy.

 

[Brett Fields]

Not off hand but I believe it’s approx 100lb over stock, in the 600’s … I believe

Yes, 600lbs. I love my 6112's. I'm running the Ford Performance bumper and a Warn Evo 10S. I'm looking to go to a different spring, but your gonna be real happy with the product as is.

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