2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Front Coil Springs

[KcoleKennyc]

Recently replaced the 5 speed with a new 6 speed in my 98. 5 3500. Truck has almost 200,000 miles on it and the front end sits lower than I would like. The springs have probably weakened and the trans. is about 200 lbs. heavier than the original. I called a dealer today to try to order a stronger spring, but didn't have much luck. I had the part no. off the original springs and thought they could look up the ones I needed=wrong!!! They told me that there were 2 listed for my truck but they didn't know if the other no. was stronger or not and that they would call DC and find out. Never heard back from them. Does anyone have a 2wd 3500 with a 6 speed that would get the no. off the tag on a front coil or does anyone know of any other place to buy them. The dealer said they listed for $115 each- haven't bought a spring in a long time but that's pretty high. Any help would be very much appreciated. Thanks, Kenny

 

[jrollins]

I do not know what the part # for ur springs are but I can tell u this, what I found to be true for my 2001. 5 2wd 3500. No one makes after market springs or suspension parts they are a dealer only item, as to stronger springs, I really doubt that there is a difference in the spring strengths for the auto vs. the manual. I noticed that there are different part #'s for same year springs but I believe it is mainly for production line differences through the production year. I have found 2wd aftermarket suspension parts are almost non existent. Now if you had a 4wd that would be a completely different story. also another note, I replaced my saggy front coils at about 115000 miles and the new springs made the truck set up about 2 inches higher but also keep in mind worn springs in the rear also affect the front springs position. I had to add leaves to one side of my rear to level the truck back out after a rebuilt the front suspension.

 

[BillGotthelf]

Check your local junkyards for 3500 4x4 springs. A good one can locate a set for you for $50. The 4x4 springs are the same weight capacity but are 2" taller.

I believe the springs from 1995 to 1999 are the same.

 

[Dkevdog]

Originally posted by BillGotthelf

Check your local junkyards for 3500 4x4 springs. A good one can locate a set for you for $50. The 4x4 springs are the same weight capacity but are 2" taller.

I believe the springs from 1995 to 1999 are the same.

Does that mean that using a 4wd spring in a 2wd truck will lift the front end by 2"? Can this be done without modification to the A-Arm? If it can, it might be just what I've been looking for.



Jrollins you are RIGHT ON about the lack of aftermarket suspension components for the 2wd's. They just flat don't exist!!



Kev

 

[BillGotthelf]

Yes it will raise front end by 2" even more depending on how many miles the springs have on the. You will need to get front end realigned as it will be way off. Ride is a little harsher as the rebound rate is off.

 

[WDaniels]

Look into the Kelderman setup for the front of the dodges. They eliminate the coil springs and replace them with a pretty good size air bag.

WD

 

[jwinnie]

The Kelderman web site does not list airbags for the 2WD front. Too bad, it would be a sweet setup.

 

[Dkevdog]

Originally posted by BillGotthelf

Yes it will raise front end by 2" even more depending on how many miles the springs have on the. You will need to get front end realigned as it will be way off. Ride is a little harsher as the rebound rate is off.

To the point of causing excessive wear on on the joints?? Can it be brought back to alignment? (Thinking aloud here) It would make my life alot easier. Custom springs aren't cheap, and I don't really want to go the route of poly spacers if I can help it.



Kev

 

[BillGotthelf]

Your camber is off when you do this-the alignment shop should bring it back to spec's. It does not move the tie rod ends enough to cause abnormal wear. They have a range of motion and you will still be in it. The shock acts as a stop on the downward (or lifting up of the body) end so the travel does not change.

 

[Sled Puller]

I just bought 1 ton front coils for my 3/4 4x4 from S&S spring shop in Ohio, about 65$ a piece, if I remember right.



Can you get airbags for inside the coil?



You could make a smaller spacer out of steel, not a big deal.

 

[RKohn]

If it ever warms up, I'm gonna take out a 38/39 set that could be had cheap.

 

[BFC]

Could one use 2500 4X4 coils on a 3500 2 WD?



Glenn

 

[jeff95]

This is the only place that I could find any parts for lifting a 2wd. I have not tried it yet, nor am I affiliated with this company. Just trying to pass along what I found after days of research.



http://www.tsliftkitstore.com/product.asp?returnURL=default.asp&ID=19501

http://www.tsliftkitstore.com/product.asp?returnURL=default.asp&ID=19465

They sell upper control arms and an adjustible coil spacer.

Do you think this setup will work?

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[BillGotthelf]

BFC yes the 3500 and 2500 4 x 4 front springs are the same. We replaced 2 sets of front springs-one in a 3500 and the other was a 2500 both 2wd. We checked a couple of used (read junkyard) sets and found lenghts that were 2-3"'s above the springs we took out of the 2wd's. The spring thicknesses and # of coils were the same on the different 4 x 4 trucks. We raised the trucks 2-2. 5" higher at the fender from ground measurement. Springs come out easy with spring compressor ( you can rent them) be careful they are pretty strong.

 

[Sled Puller]

The 1 ton 4x4 coils I bought were 1/2" longer over new 3/4. They were not Dodge, though.



Supposedly, the left front Dodge 3/4 4x4 coil is a touch taller than the right to allow for fuel and the driver.

 

[lpearson]

aftermarket coil springs

I just installed a set of aftermarket coil springs and wow what a difference. The truck was wondering all over the highway and I had to constantly adjust the steering wheel to keep it on line. Also it seem very soft on steering.



The truck has a ranch-hand front and rear bumper set up and I had just put on a Fisher snowplow quick set up. So I figured I had about 300 pounds extra without the plow on. When I put the plow on the front droped way down.



Without the plow on the front, it was 2 inches below factory setting. Anyway, I figured I needed to go with bigger coils than what The dealer could get so I contacted Denver Spring and gave them the tag # on the original springs and told them the aprox weight with and without the plow. They don't make them but they did order them out from somewhere, within a couple of days the UPS guy showed up, $289 to my door.



The installation was real simple, I didn't use a coil tool, all I did was unbolt the bottom bolt on the shock (rancho 9000) push it towards the top and just loosened the top nut a little. Then take the top nut off the anti-sway bar and the whole axle drops down, then take the old off and put the new one in, very simple, of course the wheel was off.



The truck now sits 1 inch higher than factory setting and squats down that inch when the 400 pound snow plow is on. I hardly notice it's on when driving.



It now is like driving a new truck (without the plow) corners like a sports car without swaying and it's not a stiff ride -- just right.



Sorry for going on so long, but thought if some out there don't like the way there truck handles -- "beef" up the front springs.

You'll love it!!



RAMifications,

Lowell

 

[KcoleKennyc]

Thanks for all the info but if anyone has a 99 3500 2wd, 6 speed, I sure would appreciate it if they would get the part# off the tag on the front coils. I still can't believe the dealer is not smart enough to find it. If other models will fit, please let me know. All I have to go on is the dealer said that 98 & 99 listed the same spring. I have new ball joints for the truck and I wanted to replace the coils while it was apart instead of doing everything twice. Thanks very much, Kenny

 

[BFC]

Originally posted by BillGotthelf

BFC yes the 3500 and 2500 4 x 4 front springs are the same. We replaced 2 sets of front springs-one in a 3500 and the other was a 2500 both 2wd. We checked a couple of used (read junkyard) sets and found lenghts that were 2-3"'s above the springs we took out of the 2wd's. The spring thicknesses and # of coils were the same on the different 4 x 4 trucks. We raised the trucks 2-2. 5" higher at the fender from ground measurement. Springs come out easy with spring compressor ( you can rent them) be careful they are pretty strong.

Did you need to do any other work to the front end? Alignment, new shocks, anything?



Glenn

 

[craftybigdog]

Hey guys Im thinking of putting a plow on the front of my truck but it doest have the plow package, what does that consist of and where would I get stiffer front springs and the lift kits are those rated for more weight all the help would be appreciated!

 

[John]

Originally posted by Sled Puller

Supposedly, the left front Dodge 3/4 4x4 coil is a touch taller than the right to allow for fuel and the driver.

POINT OF CLARIFICATION:



The replacement Dodge coil springs are NOT taller to control the extra weight, instead, they use heavier gauge "wire" in the fabrication of the increasingly heavier springs.