2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Front Leaf springs

[c-moor29]

Has anyone ever done a front leaf spring conversion, or know of anyone who has on a 2nd gen ram. If so any link's, pic's or info would be appreciated.

 

[Silver Bullet Ram]

I would be interested in any info as well

 

[SRath]

This is what you need:



eBay Motors: Dana 60 complete axle Ford F-350 transfer case wheels (item 140278850841 end time Nov-09-08 08:00:00 PST)



Then find a junkyard frame to set it up on; build your brackets; determine what needs cut off and/or welded to the Dodge frame.



I wish I had the time and parts... As you can see, I have long considered it.



You can spend $4000 or more upgrading the Dodge front suspension, steering, and pseudo-Dana60 and you will still not have setup this strong and reliable...



Chevy guys with the even-crappier-than-ours front independent suspension have long been scarfing up these ford Dana 60's and have a number of kits available to them for doing the swap...



Not a thing for the Dodge, though...

 

[Glen Pratt]

See this link: Atlantic Off Road :: Jerad's 2. 5ton converted '99 Dodge Ram . This will give an idea what's involved. Coil springs will ride way better than leaf springs especially if your looking to lift your truck.

 

[SRath]

The bit about coil springs riding better than well-selected leafsprings is sheer myth.



I have a set of Skyjacker Softride leafs all the way around on my old crewcab K30 chevy with a real dana 60 and it will outride my coilspring dodge to a fare-thee-well. It ain't even close!



And the steering is tight and the 35" BFG Mud tires have been on there and wearing perfectly evenly for years and years.



Simple, strong, and effective. Not to mention WAY less costly to modify (lift) and maintain than a coilspring setup.



Now dodge is trying to push it's new abortion with rear coil-link suspension off on us! Gimme a break! They never got the front coilspring setup to work and last worth a hoot!



If they want to build a tough, reliable truck, they need to go back to the 1st generation leafsprings. We can easily and fairly cheaply replace leafsprings with the ones we like while having fewer moving and wearing parts. Give us back a REAL Dana 60, too! A cast iron, gear-drive NP205... The NV5600... the 12-valve cummins...



If you want both a soft ride and heavy-hauling capability, do as I did on the Chevy and install a set of Firestone or Air Lift rear bags for leveling out heavy loads. You get the best of both worlds. Oh, and dear Dodge: We DO NOT WANT leafspring lift blocks on our rear axles! Use properly arched springs!

 

[Silver Bullet Ram]

I had a 2001 Ram 4x4, the front end was junk. After growing tired of fighthing with it, I sold it. I do still like 4x4's however when I went to acquire another truck I got a 2wd with rear abs. My plan was to put a front axle and leaf springs under it and a remote case. However I noticed that the way the frame was contoured, it looks like it would be difficult to do.

 

[c-moor29]

After lots of years with pre 99 ford f350 I loved the ride, and drive. but hated the frame flex, and the underpowered un-intercooled powerstroke. I love my 12valve, and the frame is plenty stiff but it drives like s#!t and I have had to install a posi-lock cad kit. This is where I would like to make a leaf spring ford d-60 kit for my truck. If I came up with somthing how many others might be interested?

 

[SRath]

Count me interested!

 

[CNorthrup]

I am with you!

 

[c-moor29]

I have sent an e-mail to sky manufacturing about the idea. they make nice kits for ford, chevy and toyota. Sky's Off-road Design - Home. Check them out and send them an e-mail, they may just take us seriously

 

[c-moor29]

Sky's e-mailed me back, but I think his is under the impression of re-using the dodge axle. Here Is the e-mail -"I have done this exact project. Its about $1500 worth of parts to make it happen, including all new steering, pan hard bar, all spring hangers, brackets for the axle, etc. Toss that out and we can see what people might be interested.

Thanks, Sky. "-If you think of what a lift, steering linkage, and track bar stuff cost's this really is'nt out of line. And if you add a $900 ford axle that $900 is cheaper than an ems hub kit. Plus if it could get cheaper if mass produced.

 

[c-moor29]

Sky's clarified with me and that was $1500 using a ford axle.

 

[SRath]

c-moor29, have you pursued this any further? There are many more parts needed (springs for example) and I would like to see what Sky has in mind.