Recommended Rear Axle Suspension Kit for 2018 Ford F-150 4WD Short Bed

Updated 03/19/2020 | Published 12/06/2018

Products Featured in This Question

Firestone Ride-Rite Air Helper Springs - Double Convoluted - Rear Axle

(3010)

$565.82

Air Lift Air Hose Cutter

(97)

$26.28

Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate Air Helper Springs with Internal Jounce Bumpers - Rear Axle

(1352)

$437.42

Timbren Rear Suspension Enhancement System

(6322)

$269.36

Question:

Looking for rear axle support kit for my 2018 F-150 6.5 box 4WD.

asked by: Howell

Expert Reply:

The best choice of rear axle suspension kit for your 2018 F-150 will depend on the type of towing or hauling you're doing. All rear-axle kits for your 4WD F-150 appear on the linked page.

If you are routinely hauling cargo loads of widely varying weight then an adjustable air bag setup will give you the ability to match the bag air pressure to suit each different load. If you are towing a 5th wheel then you can get good results from a lower-cost jounce spring kit from Timbren that will be a simpler bolt-on install.

If an air bag system is what will match your needs then I suggest the Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 Air Helper Springs # AL88268. This kit offers 5000-lbs of support capacity and it is compatible with an in-bed 5th wheel or gooseneck hitch. These air springs install without drilling. You can see this USA-made kit detailed in the linked video. I recommend using air line cutting tool # AL10530 for the installation. This will make clean cuts in the air lines to help avoid pressure leaks.

You can get the most out of Air Lift kit by adding an on-board compressor that will allow you to control air bag pressure from the comfort of the cab. Air Lift QuickShot Compressor System # AL25690 includes a compressor and a reserve tank so you always have plenty of air pressure for on-the-fly adjustments and for filling tires.

If you are mostly towing a trailer of fairly constant weight and you prefer a rubber jounce spring kit that will be less costly and easier to install than air bags then I recommend Timbren kit # TFR1504E. This jounce spring kits bolts on, no drilling needed, and it provides 6000-lbs of progressive load support. The spring stiffen as they compress so as your load on them increases so too does their resistance. Review and installation videos for this kit are linked for you.

Timbren spring are easy to install and they require no maintenance. The simply replace the stock jounce bumpers with heavier-duty rubber springs and once bolt on you're all set. The linked photo shows you both the small yellow OEM jounce bumper and the Timbren spring side by side.

expert reply by: Adam R

click to enlarge

James

3/19/2020

I installed the 6,000 lbs Timbren jounce system on my 2018 F 150, 4WD. It was sagging considerably with a 6100 lb trailer, 600 lbs tongue weight with weight distribution hitch. It sags considerably less but is not level. This truck is equipped with towing package and hill descent and designed to tow 13,200 lols. I’m a bit disappointed with the Timbren system from E-Trailer that I received 2 weeks ago although I’ve towed only about 20 miles with it installed. In your professional opinion, do you think replacing the Timbren jounces with Firestone Ride-Rite convoluted air bags would level this truck . Please advise as going down the road with the tail sagging is dangerous and embarrassing, thanks much in advance, stay safe

Chris R.

3/19/2020

Jounce-style springs like your Timbrens will definitely bump up the rear a bit, like you've experienced, but they won't bring it back up to level. The only real solution to get back to stock height would indeed be with an air bag kit, since you can actually fill the bags up until the truck's in a good spot. The Firestone Ride-Rite # F2582 will work perfectly on your F-150. I do prefer the Firestone systems over other brands because of their superior construction.

Helpful Links

Vehicle-Suspension/Firestone/F2582.html