2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Aren't Front Coil springs supposed to be different part #'s

[Pit Bull]

My 02 is 047 drivers side and 046 passanger side. ETH/DEE 4x4 regular cab.

 

[John]

Matt, the reason I replaced my OE 039/046 springs was because I had a measured 1/2" (or was it 3/4"?) sag at my NW Custom mud flap mounts... I mounted them very accurately (and took/compared dimensions) when I installed them.



The only reason I have an issue with the ride is due to either the Counteract Balancing Beads I added to my tires or the balancing of my rear driveshaft (which was completely gone through and balanced to a knats a$$). The only other change was adding a 3/8" thick shim between the center support bearing and the frame (per a TDR tip I read about a year or two ago... but installed the same time I reinstalled my rebuilt and balanced driveshaft)... so I'm fighting that!



However, the ride from the springs and shocks is EXACTLY what I was looking for!



Ryan, almost everything is good with all the upgrades I performed on my Ram but what I listed above...



and the friggin driver side front axle seal! ( ) After a few trips and subsequent evaluation, it looks as though I'm going to be intimately acquainted with the internal workings of my front end... again!

 

[Cooker]

Originally posted by John



and the friggin driver side front axle seal! ( ) After a few trips and subsequent evaluation, it looks as though I'm going to be intimately acquainted with the internal workings of my front end... again!

John,

I am looking at solving the same problem. I think if it hasn't gone away in 1500 miles it probably not going to. Any tips on getting the carrier out?



Thanks.

 

[John]

By carrier I'm thinking you mean the hub/bearing carrier. Mine should be a piece of cake... I JUST had it out around 600 miles ago when I performed my EGR brake upgrade. I put everything back together with anti-seize so it should just practially fall apart.



There is a good thread on this... started by Casey Veltkamp. There were all kinds of theories/opinions as to which is better to use to remove the hub from the axle splines... a puller or a slide hammer arrangement. Personally, I used a puller and had no problems with either side. I also lubed up the splines, nut and whatever else that looked stuck, with a quality penetrating oil well beforehand.



I would also heat up the axle nut (assuming you replace it/them with a new one(s) when you reassemble everything) with a propane torch and quickly remove the nut with the proper socket and breaker bar. Remember the member who had the cross-threaded axle in the 9-1-1 forum a year ago or so?

 

[Cooker]

John,

Sorry for the confusiuon. By carrier I was actually referring to the carrier in the differential. Unfortunately replacement of the drivers side front axle seal requires the removal of the carrier in the diff. If you have any tips before, or after the project, please pass them on.



Take care,

Ryan

 

[Wheaties]

Originally posted by John

Matt, the reason I replaced my OE 039/046 springs was because I had a measured 1/2" (or was it 3/4"?) sag at my NW Custom mud flap mounts... I mounted them very accurately (and took/compared dimensions) when I installed them.







However, the ride from the springs and shocks is EXACTLY what I was looking for!



again!

Right, I'm getting the same thing. We measured from axle to the edge of thefender well and came up with 3/4* Since I'm starting with 047/046 springs, I'm wondering if going higher still (049?, 050?) will give me enough stiffness if not actual spring height to even things out. Does anyone know, or has anyone tried this?



Matt

 

[jponder]

if anyone is counting. I have 38/39 combo on 4x4 reg cab 2001 ETH/DEE. Thats what I had now Ive got the 2. 5 inch skyjacker springs

 

[John]

Matt, according to the spring sheet I got from dodgeram.org, the #048 is the heaviest-duty spring available. In fact, they use an 048/048 on 4x4 chassis cab Rams. After looking over the spring data I decided upon the #047/#048 for my application. I was considering going with the #048/#048 however, after evaluating every possible consideration, I went as previously stated.



Spring Rating:



#038 = 1,537 lb. load rating



#039 = 1,688 lb. load rating



#046 = 1,854 lb. load rating



#047 = 2,036 lb. load rating



#048 = 2,236 lb. load rating



ALL of the above listed springs have an "installed height" of 12 7/8"

 

[John]

jponder, I noticed on a friend's '01. 5 2500 4x4 QC Ram that it sat a little low. I then checked the front springs...



which were the same as you stated you have. ( ) I thought, no wonder! Anyway, I subsequently found out that the #038/#039 spring combination is used on V-10 equipped 2500 4x4 QC Rams. I know one thing, if I'd had those bad boys under my Ram they would have been off there years ago!

 

[Wheaties]

John,



So it looks like I could go to an 048/046 combo, but it probably wouldn't do much. I can measure the compressed height as it is now, and make a guess at what a 200lb stiffer spring might do... it probably wouldn't be the 3/4-1" I'd like to get back... course I could measure how much we go down with me in the driver's seat too... just to see what an extra 200lb does to the height



Thanks for the advice, superlift is looking better and better.



Matt

 

[jponder]

Originally posted by Wheaties

John,



So it looks like I could go to an 048/046 combo, but it probably wouldn't do much. I can measure the compressed height as it is now, and make a guess at what a 200lb stiffer spring might do... it probably wouldn't be the 3/4-1" I'd like to get back... course I could measure how much we go down with me in the driver's seat too... just to see what an extra 200lb does to the height



Thanks for the advice, superlift is looking better and better.



Matt

Couldnt you just put a spacer in one spring to equal it out?

 

[John]

jponder, yes, replacing my OE #046 driver spring with a #048 increased the sagging ride height by at least 3/4". The passenger side was raised a little over what it was (and it wasn't sagging)... I'd have to refer to my notes to see exactly how much. All in all, my front end is raised over stock by at least 1/2" on the driver side, 3/4" on the passenger side.



I was told (and had read) long ago that the Snow Plow Prep package offered by Dodge (#046 passenger/#047 driver) would have an increased front end ride height of 3/4". I believe I'm right on that number now.



IMO, I think the Skyjacker springs are too tall without compensating the rear, especially on SWB Rams! They have a very noticeable sagging rear end attitude (even when empty). The LWB Rams still sit too high although it is not as goofy looking. A friend of mine likens it to "a turtle taking a shi*t. " :-laf At any rate, the increased ride height of the taller front springs offered by several companies out there are not matched with correspondingly increased spring rates. That is, hang something heavy like a Reunel bumper with a 15k Warn winch on the front end and measure how much lift you "still" have.

 

[Wheaties]

Originally posted by jponder

Couldnt you just put a spacer in one spring to equal it out?

I should have been more explicit when I alluded to superlift. They offer a disk that goes in the spring bracket to bring one side up about an inch. Part #4250.



John got about 3/4" going from an 046 -> 048, I probably won't get that much going from an 047 -> 048



Matt

 

[IWeiny]

Campers?

Are any of you guys hualing campers or doing this to improve loaded ride?



I have always thought my front end was "mushy" compared to my friends ford (leaf springs). After reading this thread and checking last night I too have the 38/39 combo on my 1999 2500. This is for the 4850# front rating. So I am thinking the 46/47 would bring me up to a 5200# front spring rating, but more importantly give the front end some strength for the handling of the camper.



Unlike you I don't feel the truck sits to low on the front. Granted it does ride higher in the rear but don't all empty trucks?



So I guess I am trying to get a feel for how much this would improve handling rather than just height?



Thanks,

 

[Cooker]

I was under the impression that the 38/39 combo was for gasser trucks. I know there are several Cummins powered trucks out there with this combo, but this seems a little light to me.



IWeiny,

I think you will be happy with going to any of the larger combos.

 

[John]

I would say going to the 047/048 springs made my front end feel quite a bit more stable (than the OE 039/046 springs my Ram came with... and btw, they would not let me order the Snow Plow Prep package with my Cummins powered QC in '98!) As I do not have a camper, I cannot comment on loaded front end performance.

 

[IWeiny]

Checked with DC

Well I called my local dealer to get a price and I guess the following are NOT the part numbers



52046046

52047047



Does anyone know what the part numbers were? He asked for a vin and I said "I don't have it right now"...



I guessed at the above as the ones I have are 52039039 and 038 respectivly.



Thanks,

 

[jponder]

IMO, I think the Skyjacker springs are too tall without compensating the rear, especially on SWB Rams! They have a very noticeable sagging rear end attitude (even when empty). The LWB Rams still sit too high although it is not as goofy looking. A friend of mine likens it to "a turtle taking a shi*t. " :-laf At any rate, the increased ride height of the taller front springs offered by several companies out there are not matched with correspondingly increased spring rates. That is, hang something heavy like a Reunel bumper with a 15k Warn winch on the front end and measure how much lift you "still" have. [/B][/QUOTE]



I have a buckstop and a 12K warn and I am looking pretty good with the 2&1/2 lift. I have 35 inch tries and in hind sight I might have been better to go with those heavier springs and maybe a smaller spacer. I wanted minimum lift to run 285R19. 5 tirs. I personally liked the look of a truck raised in the back and dread the idea that maybe I will get the turttle look when I load it.

 

[Cooker]

Originally posted by Wheaties

I should have been more explicit when I alluded to superlift. They offer a disk that goes in the spring bracket to bring one side up about an inch. Part #4250.

Superlift does make a 3/4" spacer to sit on top of the coil. Superlift designed to level out trucks right to left, but could easily be installed to add 3/4" of lift to the front. They are not direct bolt in installation, they need to be welded in to place.



I thought about adding these to bump up the front a fuzz, but the stiffer springs seem like a little better way to go.

 

[Wheaties]

Originally posted by John

I would say going to the 047/048 springs made my front end feel quite a bit more stable (than the OE 039/046 springs my Ram came with... and btw, they would not let me order the Snow Plow Prep package with my Cummins powered QC in '98!) As I do not have a camper, I cannot comment on loaded front end performance.

This would be the reason I have the 046/047 combination in the first place. I did order the snow plow package!