2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Ever done this to your leaf springs?

[Dane]

http://www.eatonsprings.com/Reverse 2 stage.htm

 

[Partyat33]

I moved this from the 24 valvle to the 2nd gen forum.



Dennis

 

[geusterman]

Dane, I have just installed the Kelderman air ride. However, for the money I think the Eaton idea is brilliant for a better ride and the rubber overloads beat airbags any day. George



PS. I am going to check with Kelderman because your "find" may even help me more!

 

[GLASMITHS]

Dane,



This looks good for light duty use, reasonable in price simple... ...



However, one thing, IMHO, that a lot of people over look is ride height. If you haul heavy loads or pull a heavy fifth wheel the drive angle will be out of kilter. You need to keep the factory driveline angle as close as possible or you are going to have long term problems with u-joints and rear end.



Yes, the air bags is a pain sometimes. However, I can keep my bed factory level, up to 6K #



My . 02 c

 

[vciesielski]

Just another thought there is another company out of ontario, Canada that makes the Hallow Rubber springs Called Timbren.

They have kits for just about every make and model, cost about $260 w/ tax in AZ. from Quality Bumber.

 

[Darel]

Did you guys get a different link from me? I clicked and it took me to a page about flipping your bottom leaf upside-down.

I know of guys that have done this, and it works, but you have to watch out because under a heavy load you are compressing your springs A LOT before that bopttom leaf kicks in and does its' job. For an occasional hauler it's not a bad idea.

Darel

 

[BillH]

I put the Timbren Rubber Springs on my '02 and like them much better than the factory overloads that were on my '01. The cost was about $180. 00 and were real easy to install.



Bill

 

[QRTRHRS]

Originally posted by BillH

I put the Timbren Rubber Springs on my '02 and like them much better than the factory overloads that were on my '01. The cost was about $180. 00 and were real easy to install.



Bill

Bill, tell us about the empty ride before and after the Timbren install. What kind of weight are you hauling? TIA

 

[vciesielski]

Timbren Ride

Rides just like normal w/o load and a little softer then factory overloads under load, and I was towing about 5-10K on a gooseneck trailer all day and keeps truck level. Only had past level once, but that was with trasfer Flow 98Gal cross-bed half full, 1. 8k of honda short blocks in bed, and 5k on trailer out back.

 

[geusterman]

Bill--did the rubber overloads have the same gap that the factory overloads had before they hit their stop? (about 2 inches). Could they be had with say 3 or 4 inches to act as a secondary overload? George

 

[QRTRHRS]

http://www.awdirect.com/awdirect/catalog. cfm?dest=itempg&itemid=7588&secid=73&linkon=subsection&linkid=215George, Follow this link for a drawing at the Timbren's.

 

[geusterman]

Thanks Quarterhorse but I could not tell from the picture any spacing except that they appear to be in constant contact which would make the a "progressive spring" of sorts. That right? George

 

[BillH]

QRTRHRS, I am towing a 5er, 8500# empty and pushing 1900# pin weight, and they work great. No affect empty.



geusterman, there is about a 2" gap, but, IMO they could not be used as a secondary, nor do I see how you could get a bigger gap.



Hope I have answered the questions.



Bill

 

[geusterman]

BillH--do you have your factory overloads on now? If so then the rubber overloads act as "assist" rather that secondary. If not then the rubber ones are your primary overload, correct? Thanks, George

 

[Gifford]

smooth ride

THeres nothing like putting 2 or 3 thousand pounds in the bed to smooth the ride out... . and its free... . lol



Anyone else notice how nice the truck rides once you get it heavy?

 

[BillH]

geusterman, no factory overloads just the rubber, and yes, they are the primary and only overloads I have.



Bill

 

[WOT]

After reading this and another thread about axle wrap I would be concerned that be flipping the lower spring you could actually increase the amount of wrap. You are essentially reducing the # of springs that resist wrap from 4 to 3 while not loaded enough to put the bottom spring back in contact with the other 3. A reduction of 25% seems pretty steep for a torque monster like a cummins!

 

[QRTRHRS]

Thanks Bill and others. I don't have overloads on my 97'. Eventually, I am going to have to do something about my springs. Getting so it does not take much to make it squat.



I see those rubber overloads are made for the front too. That might be the ticket for the snow plow crowd.

 

[geusterman]

WOT--very good point. The application may be for gassers and lightweights. The new Duramax is similar in spring design with a heavy boy on the bottom. Kelderman says that the new Chev owners are his new, big source of sales. Chev copied Dodge and lost that famous ride. Perhaps a smaller spacing away from the main springs could be done with the bottom spring as I am sure that reversing the spring creates way too much space. George