How Your F-250’s Suspension System Works

Completely reconfiguring the F-250’s suspension isn’t a task everyone will complete. This is the case for extreme off-road applications, but the average F-250 won’t see or need such extensive upgrades. Most kits and upgrades will focus on enhancing or slightly altering what already exists under the truck. Before moving to those upgrades one will want to understand what the components typically altered are and what their role in their F-250 is.

Shocks and struts are the first to typically get updated. In many cases, struts are present on the front of the vehicle, but you’ll only find shocks on the F-250. Shock absorbers are put in place to reduce the harmonics of the vehicle’s springs. After you hit a bump, the springs will continue to bounce up and down. If shocks were missing, the vehicle would continue to bounce becoming hard to handle and uncomfortable for the passengers.

The F-250’s springs are responsible for elevating the body of the truck away from the axles and work to keep the tires planted firmly on the ground (with the aid of shock absorbers.) Springs allow the vehicle’s suspension to articulate over obstacles without transferring the flex to the cabin.

Control arms are used to manage the motion of the wheels as the F-250’s suspension articulates. They are what physically attach the wheels to the frame of the vehicle. They are also responsible for the wheel camber which is critical to proper performance in any setting.

Saying that upgrading the suspension is a good idea for any F-250 is a blanket statement that leaves many questions and details unanswered. Not every application is going to have the same demands for suspension performance. Each case is going to be different, and each will warrant different upgrades to be considered or made.

One major advantage the F-250 has over the F-150 is the use of a solid front axle. This increases durability and suspension flex, which are both critical to off-road performance. There are still mods one will need to make to their F-250 in order to make a real performer out of it on the trail. A lift kit with aftermarket control arms, springs and shocks should be paired with bigger tires to increase ground clearance and improve durability.

Hauling heavy equipment and towing are natural parts of the F-250’s life. The biggest mods to consider here will be made to manage the loaded down vehicle without sacrificing ride quality. Load levelers added to the rear suspension will keep the front and rear level, which prevents loss for control over the steering. Upgraded shocks and springs will help with maintaining an enjoyable ride - even while carrying a heavy payload or pulling a big trailer.

An F-250 used for construction work is going to see the hardest abuse out of all the mentioned applications. Hauling heavy loads and trailers is one reason why, and the occasional trek through a trail while loaded down is another. Upgraded springs and shocks are a great place to start for construction vehicles. But to truly enhance this vehicle’s potential, a leveling kit or small lift paired with big tires and matched with springs and shocks will be the ultimate move.

For racing applications, F-250’s will need the best possible shocks, springs, and suspension components designed for this atmosphere. Road racing F-250’s will need to be dropped and fitted with springs and shocks to match this posture. One will also need to add traction devices to the rear and aftermarket control arms to the front. These modifications will ensure the truck grips the ground properly.

Off-road racing is much more violent, and a heavy truck like an F-250 will have serious hurdles to overcome. Heavy-duty springs are a must along with a lift kit that can take the abuse and increase travel as much as possible. On top of this, shock selection is critical to persistent performance. External reservoir shocks were made famous as they work to keep the hydraulic fluid stable during excessive rebound and compression.

Lift kits and leveling kits have a similar goal - to raise ride height and allow for larger wheels and tires to be installed. A leveling kit does this in the simplest way possible. A leveling kit uses coil spring spacers to lift the front of the F-250 up higher. They get their name because they level the front end with the rear.

Smaller lift kits may work on a similar principle, but will also raise the rear end. Extensive or higher lift kits will need to achieve the lift in different manners. Spring lifts are very common on F-250s but to have the taller springs work properly, shock length and control arms will need to be swapped to units with appropriate geometry.