2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 1/2 ton leafs on a 3/4ton?

[AEdelheit]

My dad has a 1998 12v 2wd 2500. He uses it as a commuter, never hauls over 300lbs in the bed or a trailer over 4000 lbs. We live on a poorly maintained country road and his truck rides super rough, I was thinking about putting rear leafs out of a 1/2 ton in his truck to help with the ride, i know it would decrease load capacity but that would not affect him. I was wondering if anyone has ever done this? Opinions?

 

[steved]

They are two different packs, and while it could be done, why not just pull a leaf out of the original packs?

 

[JacobsD]

The diesel springs are 3 inches wide and the half ton/light three quarter springs are 2 1/2 inches.

 

[steved]

However, they can be interchanged... people are putting 3/4-ton springs under "1-ton conversions" all the time...

 

[AEdelheit]

They are two different packs, and while it could be done, why not just pull a leaf out of the original packs?

I had thought of that as an option, Im just not shure how many to pull out, Before my dad bought it it had some sort of box on the back, i should try to find out if they put in heavier springs when they did the conversion.

 

[Hammer]

Just out of curiosity...

What is he running the tire pressures at??.



If his truck still has the owners manual and supplement that came with it for tire inflation and he doesn't haul anything don't run them at the high pressures they call for.



To change the springs to the 1/2 ton you would also have to change the hangers as they are different,otherwise they will need shimmed to fit.



What kind of shock does he run??.

If he is running a gas shock he could change them for a hydraulic shock to soften the ride also.



Other than those items,the next step is a Kelderman Air Suspension and they are not cheap,great product but a tad pricey... ... . Andy

 

[AEdelheit]

Just out of curiosity...

What is he running the tire pressures at??.



If his truck still has the owners manual and supplement that came with it for tire inflation and he doesn't haul anything don't run them at the high pressures they call for.



To change the springs to the 1/2 ton you would also have to change the hangers as they are different,otherwise they will need shimmed to fit.



What kind of shock does he run??.

If he is running a gas shock he could change them for a hydraulic shock to soften the ride also.



Other than those items,the next step is a Kelderman Air Suspension and they are not cheap,great product but a tad pricey... ... . Andy

Thanks Andy, he runs his tires around 45psi rear 50 front, he has the bilstien 5100 shocks, i think the problem is the springs are so stiff that the shocks dont do much. Kelderman is nice but too expensive, i was just hoping to find a fairly inexpensive way to try to soften the ride a bit.

 

[InfernoB]

If you're not into raised height, and no serious load is put into the bed, then you may want to take a leaf out. Add a spacer if needed, and you should be smoother than stock.

 

[Hammer]

Well I can tell you that the 5100 series is a stiff shock and is not helping his cause at all either. I run them doubled up front and single on the rear and can tell you how much different they are compared to the SkyJacker Hydro's I was running. If the truck has the tow package on it remove the helpers and have one ply of spring removed,all it will cost you is the time and a new center bolt. Just remember,you may end up with the rear lower and have to address the front after doing it... ... Andy

 

[JMarsh]

I have a 95 with the same problem. Always empty and never tow. Wife hates riding in it, but i like to drive it. If you do a search on springs here I saw a post that said remove the 2nd spring from top and turn over the bottom short spring. Not sure if it works, but I think I will try. I have airbags on my truck in case I need the extra capacity in a bind

 

[GAmes]

I installed Goodyear Velvet ride shackles on mine right after I bought it. My wife noticed the improvement right away. The good part about them is that they do not decrease the load carrying capability.

 

[pcarlson]

With removing a spring, especially the second to top spring, I would worry about more axle wrap under load. Is it possible to just put 300 lbs or more in the bed? That will help smooth the ride and have almost no impact on mpg, just like the ride improves with a full tank of fuel. I have taken the packs apart and it is fairly easy and straight forward. The spring clamps are the hardest part and getting them wrapped back over is the hardest part.

 

[JMarsh]

Adding weight helps a lot. Don't notice that much with 300lbs. I put 600 to 1000 lbs in it and it rides like a caddy. My truck is 2wd non-club cab, so I have one of the lightest cummins truck made for 95. I think this is part of the reason I have so much bounce.