The real story on Tremor springs

[Harry24]

Well time to start searching for some Tremor springs. Measured wheel well opening heights. Rear opening is 43 3/4" and front is 42" off the ground so a slight increase in the front height is a non factor. Thank you to all that answered my questions.

 

[MrFancypants]

The spring rate isn’t what gives the lift. It’s tremor vs non tremor. The spring rate will change ride stiffness only. So if you found a set of tremor 4800 or 5600 that’s the softest ride with the additional lift.

This isn’t really true. All else being equal, a stiffer spring will compress less resulting in more lift. I’m not sure the exact comparison but my guess is 2UP in the spring rate is equivalent to switching from non-Tremor to Tremor at the same rate.

 

[shermanator2]

This isn’t really true. All else being equal, a stiffer spring will compress less resulting in more lift. I’m not sure the exact comparison but my guess is 2UP in the spring rate is equivalent to switching from non-Tremor to Tremor at the same rate.

In this case, "all else" is the length of the spring. With normal (not progressive) springs there is just two parameters to define them. The length and the rate. It goes back to basic algebra. Remember slope intercept form of the equation of a line. Y=mX+b. The slope(m) is the rate (actually the negative inverse of it) and the free length it the y-intercept (b). If you recall there was also the point slope form of a line so if we knew the rate and the length at some given load we would know everything about the spring.

But you are right, we don't really know enough about the springs to know exactly how the will effect Harry24's truck. I think that the weight rating will correlate spring rate and I think that Tremor springs will generally be longer than non-Tremor springs. He originally said he did not want any lift which is why I suggested using standard springs. I am still guessing that the 5600 lb Tremor springs will give him some lift, but I guess he is OK with that now. Maybe the 5200 lb tremor springs will get him where he wants to be if he does not carry heavy loads.

Springs are ease to change so worth doing some experminting. When Harry24 is done I might want to try those 6000 lb spring in my standard cab dually.

 

[BroncOh]

I ordered the RC 9285 springs to fix some of the front sag I have from the heavy 16.5ti-S winch and bumper I have with the factory 5200 Tremor springs.

Originally saw them posted here on the forum (I'm not looking for level, so it should be a great outcome for me and maintain some rake, as I have weight in the bed too plus the 60 gallon fuel tank).

Tremor leveling kit

I am wanting to leave my tremor can’t stand the rake anyone done one on a tremor if so what kind and does it work good? Had mine sense February love the truck. Pulls my 15000 pound camper great

www.fordtremor.com

 

[Harry24]

No heavy loads or heavy towing, just civilian use. After learning more about these springs and choices, I can live with a lift of up to 1 3/4 inches which would put the truck almost level. I would just really like to reduce the harsh ride.

 

[quad racer]

This isn’t really true. All else being equal, a stiffer spring will compress less resulting in more lift. I’m not sure the exact comparison but my guess is 2UP in the spring rate is equivalent to switching from non-Tremor to Tremor at the same rate.

If you disagree can you show some real world applications? I thought for sure going up in spring rate would give me additional lift which is why I went heavier with spring rate and it didn’t. Granted I only went from 4800 to 5600. And if it does the lift would be negligible and likely not even worth mentioning frankly.

 

[shermanator2]

I I thought for sure going up in spring rate would give me additional lift which is why I went heavier with spring rate and it didn’t. Granted I only went from 4800 to 5600. And if it does the lift would be negligible and likely not even worth mentioning frankly.

This is a very interesting data point. Let me make sure I understand the details correctly. I presume that you have a gas Tremor since you started at 4800. Then you switched to the 5600 lb Tremor springs (LAS) and ended up at essentially the same ride height. This tells me that the high load rated springs are stiffer but have a shorter free length so that at nominal load they are about the same height.

 

[HeavyAssault]

@shermanator2 : @quad racer has a non-Tremor w/7.3L gasser. He added Tremor springs.

I see it like this :
> Use the same weight rating spring : non-Tremor to Tremor will see an increase in "lift".
> Use a higher weight rating spring : non-Tremor to Tremor will see an increase in "lift" might have zero ride difference.
> Use a higher weight rating spring : Tremor to Tremor minor ride differences.

"Diesel" or "Gasser" springs isn't relative...it's more about the weight rating of the spring. This applies in a way as a diesel would likely never have 4800lb rated springs. Nor would a gasser motor likely have 5600lb or higher rated springs. I guess a gasser motor truck running the snow plow package "could" have a spring rating in the middle say 5200lbs.

 

[StrokinOut]

This is a very interesting data point. Let me make sure I understand the details correctly. I presume that you have a gas Tremor since you started at 4800. Then you switched to the 5600 lb Tremor springs (LAS) and ended up at essentially the same ride height. This tells me that the high load rated springs are stiffer but have a shorter free length so that at nominal load they are about the same height.

I'd be interested to hear what his experience was based on. Speaking of non Tremor Super Duty's, 1 up in spring rate equates to approximately 1/4" increase in ride height. That's why trucks with snow plow prep will sit higher than those with the standard rate springs.

It's possible that Ford wanted to control or limit the Tremor ride height and made each spring rate have a different free length.

 

[Harry24]

Ok, I don't mean to rehash anything or be redundant. Since I have the snowplow package on a non Tremor and want to change springs to improve ride, will the Tremor 4800 or 5200 springs work? Even if the height increases that's ok. Reading these latest posts I'm more confused than ever. Great information

 

[StrokinOut]

Ok, I don't mean to rehash anything or be redundant. Since I have the snowplow package on a non Tremor and want to change springs to improve ride, will the Tremor 4800 or 5200 springs work? Even if the height increases that's ok. Reading these latest posts I'm more confused than ever. Great information

Yes, there is no reason that they would not work. What has you confused?

From your previous posts, it doesn't sound like you need the higher front GAWR that the plow prep springs gave you. Any of the Tremor springs should improve the ride somewhat.

 

[HeavyAssault]

5200lb springs would be a good selection, might give you a lift, and could improve the ride feel.

 

[Harry24]

Thank you for the clarification. Thanks again to all that responded.

 

[quad racer]

This is a very interesting data point. Let me make sure I understand the details correctly. I presume that you have a gas Tremor since you started at 4800. Then you switched to the 5600 lb Tremor springs (LAS) and ended up at essentially the same ride height. This tells me that the high load rated springs are stiffer but have a shorter free length so that at nominal load they are about the same height.

I have a non tremor gas truck. Adding the tremor springs gave me a lift. The springs I added were also heavier weight rating that may have led to slightly more might but negligible. Search bootleg tremor and you’ll see my write up about my experience

 

[Harry24]

Great, thanks!

 

[MrFancypants]

I see it like this :
> Use the same weight rating spring : non-Tremor to Tremor will see an increase in "lift".
> Use a higher weight rating spring : non-Tremor to Tremor will see an increase in "lift" might have zero ride difference.
> Use a higher weight rating spring : Tremor to Tremor minor ride differences.

I thought further about this and I'm not convinced the 1UP spring rate increase doesn't provide 1/2-1" of lift. If someone can measure the front rake on a stock 7.3L Tremor, I think you'll find it is over 2". The pictures I have seen of stock Tremors have a very pronounced rake. My truck landed at about 1.5" after installing 5200 lb Tremor springs. Pictures on the first post of this thread.

 

[Dok D]

Can confirm the LAT springs are 20" on the nose in free length.

Measured them after taking them out and replacing them with lift springs.

 

[Billincamo]

My F350 is a non-Tremor 7.3L with the Camper Package, and while the stock rake was less than non-Camper Package versions, it was still too much for me (~2.5"). I did replace my stock shocks with Fox 2.0 adjustables (0-1.5" lift) and verified during install that I picked up the additional travel that could be used with longer springs. The problem was finding 1" lift springs.

After some digging I found the following spring code cheat sheet from Ford Truck Enthusiasts:

Tremor (~0.5-1” taller than non-tremor equivalent coils) << Note nobody seems to actually know how much lift they provide​

LC3C-5310-AWA (LAW) - ???​

LC3C-5310-AVA (LAV)/ Door Spring code 66xx- 4,800​

LC3C-5310-ATA (LAT)/ Door Spring code 77xx- 5,200​

LC3C-5310-ASA (LAS)/ Door Spring code 88xx - 5,600​

​

Non-Tremor​

LC3C-5310-APA (LAP)/ Door Spring code PPxx- 4,400​

LC3C-5310-ANA (LAN)/ Door Spring Code NNxx - 4,800​

LC3C-5310-AMA (LAM)/ Door Spring Code MMxx - 5,200​

LC3C-5310-ALA (LAL)/ Door Spring Code LLxx- 5,600​

LC3C-5310-AKA (LAK)/ Door Spring Code KKxx - 5,990/6,000​

My stock coils are tagged LAM, which lines up as a 1UP spring from the standard 7.3L springs or the same as the standard spring for the 6.7L PSD (5200). This brought me to the Ford Tremor Forum, so that I could contact @elkr4me who had posted his springs for sale. I got them all installed and here's what I found:

1. The Tremor springs increased front ride height by 1-1/8".
2. This moved the front suspension about 3/4" to the driver's side, requiring an adjustable track bar
3. After all is said and done, there is still about 1.5" of front rake. This is actually my preference so that the truck doesn't squat overly under load. All of the front "leveling" springs I have seen raise the front too much (2.5-3").

Most importantly, the ride improved. I really feel like the stock front suspension does not have sufficient travel. I'm not sure what the full extension of the Tremor shocks is, but it seems like the combo of Tremor 1UP springs and Fox 2.0 adjustables is a good one, and this is preferable to lowering the rear with a shorter block.

On paper the stock Tremor should have the same net front lift as the non-Tremor Camper Package Super Duty. Since there is no such thing as a Camper Package Tremor, be careful to pick up LAT springs if you have a 7.3L and LAS springs if you have a 6.7L.

The other nice thing to highlight is using Ford factory springs will maintain your factory payload. For those of you with Tremors, this can also be used to increase your front GAWR (wheels/tires permitting).

Here is a side by side of the springs. The non-Tremor spring has 7 coils and the Tremor spring has 8 coils. The upper isolator fits both. I read some comments that the Tremor springs are progressive and the non-Tremor springs are not. It's hard to tell much difference between the two and my guess is either both are progressive or both are non-progressive.

View attachment 117004

If you care to see how much beefier the Rough Country forged track bar is over stock. My guess is it weighs ~50% more.

View attachment 117006

Here is the final rake. Those are 34" tires.

View attachment 117005

Good information , thanks!

 

[dpspeed]

I've read through this post like 3 times lol! Great info and thanks for testing all my non-Tremor brethren.

I've got a 2020 7.3L CC 4wd FX4, snow plow package & camper package and I'm hoping to get it to ride better, it's super stiff (already run tires at 45 psi for daily driving, 65 psi towing)!

I'm getting my 5100s put on tomorrow (would do it myself, but just out of time and need to buy a HD floor jack).

My plan for testing:
1. Disconnect the rear swaybar to see how it feels (may leave disconnected for daily driving, hook up to tow)
2. Disconnect the front swaybar to see how it feels (most likely replace with Tremor front sway)
3. Springs - will probably add Tremor springs since I think that will help with another 1" of lift/travel and will be softer and obviously pairs nice with the swaybar.
4. Remove airbags in rear...don't really need, came on the truck when I bought it
5. Moving from 20" BAP wheels to 17 or 18" wheels and replacing stock tires with 35s or 285/75R18 (or trade for Tremor takeoffs).

Any other thoughts? Figured I'd report back! Thanks for all the info!

 

[shermanator2]

My plan for testing:
1. Disconnect the rear swaybar to see how it feels (may leave disconnected for daily driving, hook up to tow)
2. Disconnect the front swaybar to see how it feels (most likely replace with Tremor front sway)
3. Springs - will probably add Tremor springs since I think that will help with another 1" of lift/travel and will be softer and obviously pairs nice with the swaybar.
4. Remove airbags in rear...don't really need, came on the truck when I bought it
5. Moving from 20" BAP wheels to 17 or 18" wheels and replacing stock tires with 35s or 285/75R18 (or trade for Tremor takeoffs).

Any other thoughts? Figured I'd report back! Thanks for all the info!

Here are my thoughts...

What is your front GAWR on the door sticker? If you do not have a aftermarket front bumper or winch get front springs rated for 400 lbs less than that. You could go 800 lbs less but I would weigh the truck on a CAT scale first.
I do not think disconnecting the sway bars will help the ride very much on the road and completely removing the front sway bar will not be safe on the road.
Removing the air bags should be the same as deflating them completely and should help.
17" or 18" wheels will help a lot. My opinion is that 20" wheels on a HD truck are silly and one of the reasons I got a Tremor was to get 18" wheels.