Quicker factory overload spring contact.

[NIsaacs]

I have been wanting a little more spring capacity when loaded so I priced a set of Stable Loads.....Dang!....so I made my own spacer's. It was a good thing I did, one u-bolt was about half rusted in two on both sides. The axle housing spring bolt clamp is like a container for dirt and moisture. I also went with 5/8" u-bolts v/s the 1/2" stockers.

Some pic's of the spacer. I made them out of some scrap 1"x3" aluminum 1/8" wall tubing that I had, then used 6 pieces of 1/8"x2" flat strap (that's all I could find on a holiday) stuffed in the center. I also used a piece of 1/8"x3" steel strap for the bottom. I was afraid the aluminum might work it's self into the original spacer, it is cut out so not much support.


Nick

 

[NIsaacs]

More pictures, note the rusted u-bolt about an inch above the nut.

Nick

 

[Slow Six]

On my last 2 trucks I replaced the stock bump blocks with thicker rubber bump blocks from Energy Suspension. I get earlier contact with the overloads and ride improvement when hooked up to the fiver. It is also a lot less work.

 

[Shadrach]

On my friends 08 3500 he took some rectangular tubing and put in between the pads on the overloads, effectively lowering the wear pads and therefore reducing the distance between the overload springs and the wear pads themselves. This causes the overload springs to contact sooner and is easily removable.

#ad


BTW not trying to dampen your work but you do realize that dissimilar metals ( aluminum and steel ) will corrode when touching. It will take quite a while but do keep an eye on the condition of the aluminum.

David

 

[NIsaacs]

On my friends 08 3500 he took some rectangular tubing and put in between the pads on the overloads, effectively lowering the wear pads and therefore reducing the distance between the overload springs and the wear pads themselves. This causes the overload springs to contact sooner and is easily removable.

#ad


BTW not trying to dampen your work but you do realize that dissimilar metals ( aluminum and steel ) will corrode when touching. It will take quite a while but do keep an eye on the condition of the aluminum.

David

I like this type of modification and considered something similar, but on my '01 the overload bracket is a standard L" shape with the rubber insulator that fits like a glove. I couldn't figure out a way to reuse it with a spacer block. The 2 after market systems I looked at were both 2" and cost $300. I wanted to stay at 1" to keep a decent empty ride. I also have always wanted to replace my stock tiny u-bolts with a heavy duty set.

As far as aluminum and steel corrosion being an issue I should be okay at my age, someone else can deal with it, Lol. I did have aluminum frames and cross members on most of my log trucks with factory steel pieces and parts bolted on the full length of the truck. Some minor corrosion did occur, but like you said, it takes a long time and didn't seem to be an issue.

Nick