Anybody make stock height Soft ride front coils for a 3rd gen?

[Dieselduck]

Got a 06 QCSB 4x4 and would like to find some softer riding front coil springs for the front of the truck. I do not need or want the extra height of a lift kit coil. My plan is to run 285/70's BFG AT's on the stock wheels to help fill the wheel wells, and remove the rear overloads to help level and with ride quality on the rear. I also plan on replacing all the shocks with Blisteens. Anyone out there done something like this? I like the Kore Recon kit, but once again don't need the extra height (won't fit in my garage). Any suggestions? I spend 99% of the time on the road (rough IL roads).

 

[Dieselduck]

Anybody out there?

Is it possible to just cut down the Kore VR coils?

 

[Tejasdge]

Got a 06 QCSB 4x4 and would like to find some softer riding front coil springs for the front of the truck. I do not need or want the extra height of a lift kit coil. My plan is to run 285/70's BFG AT's on the stock wheels to help fill the wheel wells, and remove the rear overloads to help level and with ride quality on the rear. I also plan on replacing all the shocks with Blisteens. Anyone out there done something like this? I like the Kore Recon kit, but once again don't need the extra height (won't fit in my garage). Any suggestions? I spend 99% of the time on the road (rough IL roads).

From everything I have heard, the Kore's springs will be harsher, not softer. You don't say what shocks you currently have, but the 5100 Bilstien's have more of a sports car feel than the stock shocks with a better feel and control. I think they are smoother overall on most surfaces, but you feel the road better in a good way.



I would stick with your stock spring at first and see how the new shocks feel. If that isn't working for you try to see if Deaver Spring will make a custom coil for you. There are also a number of custom spring companies out there all the way down to local.



I had a spring guy tell me that he flips the overload over and adds air bags to help when loaded. If you want to lose height in the rear, there are about 3 half inch spacers that can be removed to suit your needs. I removed one with my mini packs, but may put it back in after changing to Thuren's front spring.

 

[mickeyblueyes]

Have you looked at the Carli Progressive front coils?

 

[mickeyblueyes]

Kelderman also has a set of air springs. @ kelderman.com

 

[Dieselduck]

Tejasdge: Currently the truck is box stock, with about 30,000 miles on it.

Mickeyblueyes: Yes I have looked at Carli, they seam to be very similar to the Kore system with about 3 inches of lift in the front. I never thought of air springs. I suppose you could control the ride and height with those. Do you have any experience with Air springs? How do they hold up, I suppose you have to have an on board air compressor. Thanks for the Idea I will look into this.

 

[Regcabguy]

You're not going to find any softer coils w/stock height than the stockers. My 2500 bottomed out constantly when new. Aftermarket coils went in in a week.

 

[mickeyblueyes]

Bilstein now has air shocks @$600 I do not think they will improve the ride, I don't know what the idea is. if you raise the front you have to reline the wheels. The kelderman might be s softer ride those I have contacted said it is @$1200 it not cheap. if its not exactly what the purchaser wants.

 

[MA2LA]

Another option and its one i am really considering is a a bump stop setup like the prerunners use. I drive on some really crappy roads that bottom out the front end alot and at times have been hard enough to make my back hurt. and it would take alot of abouse out of the rest of the truck aswell.
Hyro-Pnuematic Bumpstops for Dodge Ram, Air Bumps and Hyro Bump Stops

 

[Tinman]

As far as springs go, KORE are the stiffest, Carli is much softer. Lorenz has some stiff and plush coils. Don Thuren has some single rate soft coils but designed to work with his bumps stops. His DYSKO bumps are way cheaper than hydros and, unless you race, probably work just at good. I just installed some on the 01 and I'm still testing them. But they are tall and would just about be touching the axle at stock hieght.



At stock hieght, you are very limited, in options and travel. Stock springs are soft and will bottom easily. I'd say your options are to use stock springs and get some good custom valved shocks. Thuren could value some for you. He is a magican with his KING shocks. The other option is choose an above mentioned coil and cut them then heat the end to level the end to sit in the bucket correctly.



I can see why you'd want to not raise the truck as 3 inches of lift with tires to match makes a tall truck. But it is worth it. More travel and much better ride.

 

[Dieselduck]

Tinman: I didn't think that shocks would help with the ride, but I can see how the shock valving could help. I have 82" max height for my garage door so I can only go a little higher. If I went with Kore/Carli/Lorenz the 3" front + 1" rear would require 35" tires (in my opinion) to look right. Anybody have this setup for an actual height measurement to see if it will fit?

 

[Tinman]

You are correct, with the 3/1 lift you'll need at least a 34 inch tire to look appropriate.



Shocks and spring work in concert for the subjective "ride", so they are both important. I just finished up replacing my KORE stuff on both trucks b/o the ride was too stiff. I did some of this piece by piece and I could see the difference different parts made. Give Don Thuren a call and see what he can do. He's forgot more about suspension than most of us will ever know and he'll do custom valving.



I do have a set of old straight rate early KORE (T-rex days) springs I just took off the 01. These give an 01 about 2 inches up front and on an 3rd gen probably about 1. 5 inches since they are heavier. PM is interested.

 

[Dieselduck]

Thanks Tinman, I will call Thuren. Any idea what a "custom" set of 4 shocks will cost?

 

[Tinman]

I also had a thought that Lorenz's 2. 25 shocks with stock spring might be an option. Sean's knowledge and has good stuff at a good price. I don't know if he'll just sell shocks though.

Thuren Fabrication- King Shocks

 

[1972JohnBoy]

Tinman: I didn't think that shocks would help with the ride, but I can see how the shock valving could help. I have 82" max height for my garage door so I can only go a little higher. If I went with Kore/Carli/Lorenz the 3" front + 1" rear would require 35" tires (in my opinion) to look right. Anybody have this setup for an actual height measurement to see if it will fit?

I put a Carli 2. 0 setup on my 06, check my sig. The 2. 0 setup added 3 in. and the 35s 2in. more overall height to the front of the truck. The Carli setup I have eliminates the harshness of the initial spring compression which is very apparant in normal road conditions and the truck handles very well. It is a very worthwhile upgrade although on the high end for cost. I will be installing their ball joints soon as needed.

 

[RWood]

I just intalled skyjacker d25's. They added 2. 5 of lift. I was able to turn my rs9000 down from 6to 3 and the ride is way better thanstock. I paid 172 delivered and 285 for installation and a alinement.