I've got a 12 w/ hd payload and want to improve the empty ride quality.

Factors are the tires, springs and shocks.

I think I want to swap out the HD payload springs for the regular springs and add airbags. Comments? Anyone have some left over leafs/coils that would fit?
I may go with the rs9000 for the adjustability (liked them on my 250).

Any advice on the minimum tire pressure you can run in E 10 ply tires unloaded?

chaos
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2012 4x4 Lariat Screw TwinTurbo MaxTow HD Payload 6.5 bed

 

I don't think you will see much difference in ride quality when you swap in non-hd springs once you install the airbags. I have never driven a newer HD F150 but the 98-02 version doesn't seem that bad. I wouldn't mind swapping to heavier springs though. I also run the Roadmaster Active Suspension on mine. It didn't make it stiffer or softer but it just rides better, if that makes any sense. As for the tires, in the front I'd say no lower than 60, in the rear, depending on load you could probably take them down to 45. At some point your bound to get a TPMS light so adjust the pressure to just above that point. Hope this helps.

 

I had airbags in my 91 f250 and it made the ride in that much better. Funny thing was that running 15 lbs of air empty gave a much better ride than 5lbs. Guessing that it was unloading the spring and giving a smoother initial travel. Running 100 lbs I could run about 2 tons with no sag.

My thinking on replacing the springs was to get to back to the much more forgiving non-hd ride. Now that I think about it, what I feel seems like too much high speed damping so when you hit a chuckhole it vibrates the whole truck instead of absorbing it. Maybe I should just try replacing the shocks first, but I'm betting the springs contribute.

 

I think I feel what you described on my F150 too, maybe not as pronounced. Shocks may help some but these guys offer progressive springs that should help. http://www.rpgoffroad.com/ They seem high-dollar to me though.

I 've run airbags on a few trucks over the years. On most it didn't affect the ride too much. The last truck I had though, Silverado, it made it ride like a old covered wagon. One of the reasons I didn't go the airbag route this time is that the kits for the F150 recommend not going off road (at least no severe axle articulation terrain). That doesn't work for me because I do go some places that are like that.