Deaver +3 feel stiff? Expectations too high?

[EZDA45]

Hey all,

So I’ve been working through some suspension kinks on my new to me gen 1. So far figured everything out, pretty have a brand new front end, new rebuilds all around for Brian @ShocksbyHammer with geisers on low, and added deaver +3 (standard duty)in the rear. Now I’ve retorqued everything down a couple times after about 2.5k miles of driving.

I feel like the deavers are TOO stiff from everything I read. So my questions are 1) These obviously need some off-roading to really break in, correct? 2) I currently have about 360 lbs of sand over the axle for snow which I’m still wondering if it’s making it worse or better, even though with OEM springs weight helped tremendously. And 3) I still get roughly the same “jitter/shutter” from the rear end of the truck over the bumps my last truck felt them on. I know it’ll always have that, but people rave about them and I’m just not noticing an insane improvement for daily driving. With that said though, it soaks up big bumps(reversed speed bumps, train tracks, etc.) much better so i definitely sense the offroad improvements. Am I just over expecting, doing something wrong, or is something wrong with my leaf pack? Thanks for any words and help!

 

[MTF]

How much air are running in the tires?
Most run 36/38 psi. in the front and 34 psi in the rear.

 

[EZDA45]

How much air are running in the tires?
Most run 36/38 psi. in the front and 34 psi in the rear.

I’m running 38 in front and 38 in rear only for the weight. Was debating taking some out and dropping to 34. I’ll give it a try. My Mickey Thompsons are also on the last half of life

 

[MTF]

@EZDA45

If they are E class rated, I'd say you're ok.
With the KO 2 E class I didn't see a difference with the bulge 38 to 34.

You may want to consider a rear sway-bar, it worked for me.

Hellwig Rear Sway Bar Kit
3/4" Rear Sway Bar Ford 10-14 F150 Raptor 4WD
Part Number: 7724

And if you do try it, call and ask for the locking collars

Search by Vehicle - Hellwig Products

www.hellwigproducts.com

 

[2012SCSVT]

I'm betting its not the deavers in this case, What condition do you rate your shocks are in?

Edit missed the first part of your post, so new shocks.

 

[EZDA45]

@EZDA45

If they are E class rated, I'd say you're ok.
With the KO 2 E class I didn't see a difference with the bulge 38 to 34.

You may want to consider a rear sway-bar, it worked for me.

Hellwig Rear Sway Bar Kit
3/4" Rear Sway Bar Ford 10-14 F150 Raptor 4WD
Part Number: 7724

And if you do try it, call and ask for the locking collars

Search by Vehicle - Hellwig Products

www.hellwigproducts.com

I have Baja boss 35x12.50 that are D rated. Just drove to the gym after lowering pressures. Slightly better, still always a constant bump feeling from the back(contributing that to the fact that I had a cupped tire and after taking it to two different shops lately I’ve lost track of how to rotate them lol). Does the rear sway bar help with ride quality or just so I can add more weight?

 

[EZDA45]

I'm betting its not the deavers in this case, What condition do you rate your shocks are in?

Edit missed the first part of your post, so new shocks.

Yeah, freshly rebuilt shocks. Brian did tell me he makes them a little stiffer which would definitely help offroad for big stuff. I was thinking about jacking it up and checking shock psi via the Schraeder valve. If it’s over 200 I’ll drop it down and see if that makes a difference(?).

 

[EZDA45]

@2012SCSVT

I am questioning replacing shackles too. They seemed fine when I installed the deavers and I have triple checked torque based of deavers recommendations.

 

[Nex]

Did you torque with everything on the ground? (Loaded)

Rear springs will brake in, same with the shocks. Raptor is not a Caddy. Performance parts sacrifice on road comfort. I ran my truck with no sway bars on the road and 37s. I ran 32/30 on pressures with a 6 way rotation every 5k miles.

I am willing to bet it's your tires. D is really stiff (giggity) for these trucks. Let alone a worn out D rated tire.

Some of the twisting of the rear axle is for sure still happening. Not sure if that's what you are feeling as far as the unsettling part. I had trac bars to keep the rear end planted. Better for hard acceleration also.

 

[EZDA45]

Did you torque with everything on the ground? (Loaded)

Rear springs will brake in, same with the shocks. Raptor is not a Caddy. Performance parts sacrifice on road comfort. I ran my truck with no sway bars on the road and 37s. I ran 32/30 on pressures with a 6 way rotation every 5k miles.

I am willing to bet it's your tires. D is really stiff (giggity) for these trucks. Let alone a worn out D rated tire.

Some of the twisting of the rear axle is for sure still happening. Not sure if that's what you are feeling as far as the unsettling part. I had trac bars to keep the rear end planted. Better for hard acceleration also.

I think you’re hitting the nail on the head. I know for sure these trucks ride a little… raw? (Giggity) lol. My last gen 1 did ride stiffer the first couple months with new shocks it seemed like. Plus I haven’t had a chance to run it offroad to get things to really break in. I’m taking the truck in to get some engine work done as I’m tuning it (roush) and it’s too cold to work on it so I’m gonna have them loosen and then retorque everything again just as a quadruple check lol. The tires aren’t that old, maybe 30-35k miles. One is definitely cupped no doubt. I’ve looked into trac bars, how worth it would you say?? Also do you think cab mounts and such could enhance the jitter I’m feeling?