front leaf springs

[Wayne M.]

What are the hot ticket for Front leafs to use in our trucks? I don't want to add any height, just want a better ride. I think I recall someone using Skyjackers, but am not sure. My long term plans are to address this issue because I'm gonna have this truck for a while.

 

[boatpuller]

I got the skyjacker 2 1/2" lift front springs, they ride much better than the stock springs, they make the truck sit level, the rear of my truck was higher with the stock springs. I only changed front springs. The springs may be a little softer than the stock ones, I don't think you can get a better ride without raising the truck a little, if you look at how close the rubber stops are on a stock truck there is only about 1" or less of travel before you hit the stops which contributes to the rough ride.

Just my $. 02

Caleb

 

[KEENO]

Hey Wayne M!



I'm in total agreement w/ Caleb, there's nothing that improves the ride of our "W" series than a set of Skyjacker 2 1/2" Frt. Springs.



Frt. Spring P/N: D200CS

Rear Spring P/N: DR60



Frt. "Hydro" Shocks P/N: N8027

Rear "Hydro" Shocks P/N: N8038



I talked to Mickey @ SKYJACKER (318)388-0816, he's very knowledgable about the product. www.skyjacker.com



Tim "KEENO" Keen



PS: Please check these part numbers before ordering! Make sure that they understand you have a Cummins & want the 2 1/2" 'Leveling Springs'. I've just ordered a pair for a friend and the P/N's have changed or my box was mismarked... . Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Wayne M.]

Thanks fellas! Thats what I was looking for. BTW how many leaves do they have, and are they for rated for our heavy Diesel? I guess I'm asking if they will frown in a couple of years.

 

[Dale Reed]

What is the distance between the rubber stops and your springs? Even after all the work I had done on mine there is only maybe 3/4 inch. Rides a lot better than when there was only 1/4 inch though.



Of course my "problem" is my very heavy winch bumper. Sure nice having the winch though and it looks mighty fine from the front. But a little bit too much from the side.

 

[KEENO]

Broke out the Stanley Tape Measure....

The Skyjacker 2 1/2" Frt. Springs are rated specifically for our Cummins and have a total of (5) positively arched leafs per side. My super accurate 20' Stanley Tape Measure says I have 3 1/2" from the Jounce Bumper to the top of the first leaf.



One last concern: When I was out West getting my new NVG4500HD Trans installed I was also told that even w/ the 2 1/2" springs that I actually needed to have the front driveshaft lengthed. Dan of Quad 4X4, showed me where the caps on the frt. universal were hitting/binding during off road situations. I plan to have the driveshaft lengthened and have a larger universal installed sometime in the future to correct the concern.



50,000 miles on mine & I haven't noticed any sagging... .



KEENO

 

[Dale Reed]

I just measured the distance between the bottom of the jounce bumper and the top of the springs and it is about 1. 25 inches. There are seven leaves and they do not have any arch to them. The truck looks fine and rides OK. As well as can be expected of a real truck.

 

[KEENO]

Spring Prices...

I'm also currently helping a buddy spend his hard earned money on Skyjacker Frt. Springs. My local shop here in Franklin, Tn. said he could get them to me for $150. 00 each or $300. 00 for the pair. Wait! let me double check the math on that one!?... . Yeah, that's the Ticket. The bushing kit must also be ordered for about $30. 00 additional.



Other shops & mail order have been close to $450 - $500. Email me if if you would like more info.



KEENO

 

[Wayne M.]

Keeno, Thats an awesome price! I haven't checked around yet. It's a long term project for me, I need pipes first. Can anyone who catches this please measure the height of the front wheelwell opening (fender) at the center of the wheel so I can really guesstimate for added height? Thanks!

 

[CRWilliams]

Hey KEENO, if your caps are hitting something you do have a problem. It's hard to tell without looking but usually what you are talking about is the straps hitting the yoke on the driveshaft. If this is what is happening you don't need a longer shaft necessarily. What you need to do is remove the shaft and grind sparingly in the notches that are already there and increase the clearance. The driveshaft should be fine, the axle droops MUCH more than the 2 1/2 inches of lift the springs get. When I installed my Skyjacker springs I checked the driveshaft length and had plenty to spare.

 

[MUDDY]

Originally posted by mprtrpr

Hey KEENO, if your caps are hitting something you do have a problem. It's hard to tell without looking but usually what you are talking about is the straps hitting the yoke on the driveshaft. If this is what is happening you don't need a longer shaft necessarily. What you need to do is remove the shaft and grind sparingly in the notches that are already there and increase the clearance. The driveshaft should be fine, the axle droops MUCH more than the 2 1/2 inches of lift the springs get. When I installed my Skyjacker springs I checked the driveshaft length and had plenty to spare.

4 degree wedge shims should also help by angleing the pinion up a bit.



mm

 

[KEENO]

Thanks mprtrpr & muddymess!



I guess I've used the wrong terminology... Yes, I'm referring to the 'straps' that attach w/ (2) bolts and hold the universal into place on the yoke, not the actual universal cups w/ the needle bearings inside.



The witness marks are on the straps. It was recommended that I should take the front driveshaft to a reputable shop & have it lengthened AND have a larger universal installed & replace/match the yoke for the most robust set up. I was told that a larger universal would add more clearance for the caps. We also ground off the stops on the new CV joint when it was rebuilt to eliminate any contact concerns w/ that end of the driveshaft.



If you install a 4 degree shim on the front axle how much does that effect "caster" & "on center" feel of the steering?



Keeno

 

[MUDDY]

Originally posted by KEENO









If you install a 4 degree shim on the front axle how much does that effect "caster" & on center feel of the steering?



Keeno

ive done this to several dodges, 3 fords, and 2 chevys with no ill effects



mm

 

[KEENO]

Hey MM!



Potentially a silly question... . BUT, where does one purchase shims?



Thanks... Keeno

 

[MUDDY]

napa or other parts stores.



alignment shops.



4x4 accesories shops.







mm

 

[CRWilliams]

You might want to have your caster angle checked before you put shims in. The last Dana 60 front I had only had about 3 degrees of caster. If the caster angle gets too small the truck will start to wander and if you get into negative caster the truck will not self-center properly. With only 2 1/2 inches of lift I think the shims are over kill personally. If you want them call Skyjacker, they have the shims. You might also discuss this with them.

 

[ggorremans]

. . if you guys are leveling the truck with new front springs, don't you then have a rear end that droops once you load up the bed?

gary

 

[CRWilliams]

I've never really had a problem with that. I had 5500 lbs. of sod in the bed and it only dropped the rear about 2 -2 1/2 inches. I love having a real truck .

 

[Cummins Corvette]

Put on a set of springs from a new F250. I did it!! Pain in the butt. It made a huge difference. The main problem with the springs is that they are so short. there is not much travel in them. the ford springs are about 7" longer and have much more travel than the dodge springs. If your not an engineer I would not do this though. You start with an axle and a frame and make all new brackets and shackles and bolt them to the frame. The sky jacker springs will help the ride a little but the best solution is to go to a second gen truck. Absolutely no compareson. Good luck.

 

[KEENO]

P/N correction!

Hey Gang!



I've just edited & corrected the Skyjacker P/N in my original Reply.



The correct P/N for the 2 1/2" Skyjacker Front Leaf Springs is: D200CS



I just pick up a set for my friend in Michigan's First Gen and plan to deliver them this weekend. I check the P/N on the springs against the SJ catalog to insure the correct Part Number.



D200CS it is! The "C" in the P/N is for CUMMINS!



KEENO