I was looking at towing more or towing with out the rear end dropping. I know you got helper springs and airbags but with a new leaf kit would it work just as good and not have to be filled with air when ever I have a load? Im not really worried about ride quality being affected. The lits I was looking at are rated up to 2400 lbs. And I think the stock FX4 springs are rated at 1200 lbs(correct me if Im wrong). So for the money would it be worth it or is there a better route? Here a link for some Im looking at!

http://thesuspensionking.com/catalog...ibvbquucoi25c1

 

When you use the term "spring rating", are you referring to the amount of weight it takes to compress the leaf spring 1 inch? I'm not sure if that is what "spring rating" is but I seem to remember reading something like that somewhere before. If that is the case, you would be paying $200 to double your spring rating. So it would take double the weight to compress the new HD spring 1 inch. If your goal is to keep the rear end from sagging with a load, look at it this way. Using your numbers, with 4800 lbs of load, stock FX4 springs would sag 4", the new heavy duty ones you linked would only sag 2". For $250 you can get air bags, such as the Firestone Ride Rites, that add up to 5,000 lbs of weight carrying capacity, so at that same 4800 lbs, your truck wouldn't sag at all. The air bags are easier to install, plus, if/when you get rid of your truck, you simply unbolt the air bags and you have a stock truck which appeals to more buyers. Then, you also have the air bags to sell here in the classifieds. Just some ideas for ya!

Just be mindfull of your trucks weight carrying capacities as 5,000 lbs is probably over the recommended limits.

 

OK so adding a set of air bags like your saying I could put 5k lbs in my bed? Im not really looking to max outthe truck but when I do carry things it sucks to be looking up the whole time. Like last week about 15 sheets of plywood, 6 4x4, 2 4x6 and a few more odds items and it was sitting a little low, not to bad but some. I want it ride level when I carry most things like that. So if airbags are the way to go I guess get those.

 

My previous reply was based on a definition of "spring rating" that I seem to remember reading and may or may not be completely accurate. But, from personal experience, having the ability to add or remove air pressure from the air bags based on the current truck load is really nice. I initially got the air bags because I installed a 2.5" levelling kit that brought the front up a bit too much for my liking. When empty, I keep about 10-15psi in the bags and it brings the rear up 1/2-3/4" to make it sit pretty!!! The Firestone Ride Rite kit comes with 2 bags (one for each rear spring obviously) and a seperate air line and schrader valve for each (which in theory, you could adjust the air pressure differently in each to compensate for more load on one side vs. the other). I ran the air lines out to the rear bumper and drilled two holes in the plastic next to the license plate to mount the schrader valves. The downside is you need an air source. The bags aren't real big so a simple bicycle would probably work. I just go to the local gas station or use one of those small portable air tanks you can get a Wal-Mart. What I do when I know I am going to have a load on that would sag the rear end is add some air ahead of time at the local shop or bring a portable air tank with me to air the bags up. If it is a gas station air fill up I add more than I think I need and then, once loaded, I let some air out to bring it where I want the rear end to sit. You could get jiggy and get an onboard compressor with an incab inflate/deflate setup with pressure gauge, but that is another $250. Or, if all that sounds like a PITA, go with with HD springs you found. I was just giving you another option to consider.

And NO, I am not saying you can put 5,000 lbs in the bed of your F-150. As I stated, pay attention to your trucks weight carrying capacities. What I am saying is the air bags will let carry up to that capacity without sagging the rear end.