Front Springs

[JHolt]

Hey everyone, I know this has been covered at some time in the past but since I can't search the archives...



I had my stock front springs re-arched and a leaf added, but one side is now sagging a bit, and it makes the ride kinda wacky. So it looks like I need new springs, and I'm wondering what is a good replacement. Anybody have any comments on new springs they've installed? I am looking for no more than 2" of lift.



National spring quoted me $550 for a pair, but that seems kind of steep. Years ago I remember reading about Moog replacements, but I can't find any information on them.



Thanks,

Jack

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

On my old truck I had 2 1/2 inch superlift I think they were it rode better and I didn't have any problems. check the link below for a picture of the truck. And I want to say I only paid like $250 for them.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/user_gallery/displayimage.php?&photoid=942&width=0

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

Gotta correct myself, it was Skyjacker leaf springs

 

[JHolt]

Thanks TurboTim, your old truck looks about the same height as mine with its current setup so perhaps the 2. 5" springs won't be too high. Did you have stock springs/blocks in the rear?

 

[DieselBuzz]

SJ's

JHolt

I did the SJ 2. 5 swap and I like them. I have the OEM blocks in the rear and the front was just a bit higher when I installed them. When you order them be sure to get 5/8" bushings for the front two eyes. Most seem to have been sent with four 1/2" bushings. The ride improves 'cuz you're not boucing off the bump stops. Good luck.

Art

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

Yes the back end was completely stock

 

[JHolt]

Thanks for the input, and the tip on 5/8" bushings, Art. That is a good thing to know. Of course I have more questions...



Four Wheel Parts Wholesalers has them for about $250 for a pair, and they also informed me that they also have 1" lift Skyjacker springs. Now I'm not sure if I want to go with those or the 2. 5" springs. More travel seems like a good idea, especially with the tiny amount of travel the stock springs have. I like a low center of gravity, and whenever I've lifted a vehicle I've had other problems. Sounds like you guys had no troubles with the 2. 5" springs, though. Wish there were an easier way to tell what my current setup is compared to stock. Right now there is a very slight positive arch on one spring, and the other is flat. As I recall, prior to the re-arching and extra leaf (and wreck and crew-cab conversion) they were negatively arched. Are (were) your 2. 5" springs positively arched?



Another factor is the extra weight of the crew cab and the heavy winch and bumper... perhaps the 2. 5" springs will be more like 1. 5" in the end.



unrelated... Tim, are those wheelwell flares/edges a factory item or aftermarket? I've seen them on a couple of other trucks and they look good.

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

The fender flares are factory, also I originally put 1"springs in that truck but my 255/85/16's rubbed plus it still sat nose down so I got the extra springs that made it the 2. 5" lift direct from skyjacker. The only problem I saw was that stock replacement Rancho shocks were almost fully extended when sitting normal

 

[KMC]

Bushings

DieselBuzz, do they now make a 5/8" bushing? I remember a while back we were all trying to figure this out and you had just bored the 1/2" bushings out to make them work. How is that holding up?



I have still not gotten around to getting my springs on - just to busy with work, etc. So I haven't been thinking about this issue much.



Another thing I had thought of was to take the springs to a local shop and have them enlarge the eye to fit the o. d. of the dodge factory 5/8" bushings.



Perhaps skyjacker is now making a 5/8" bushing to work with the 1" i. d. spring hole? If so let me know... .



Thanks, Ken

 

[DieselBuzz]

5/8"

KMC

My bushings seem to be ok. There is a little wear showing where the frame bracket pinches but it hasn't changed much with time.

As far as SJ making the right size, I would think that would need it for some other applications. Other spring shops should be able to help.

JHolt

My springs have about 1" of arch.

Art

 

[MMiller]

Go with the skyjacker, softride 2. 5 inch lift and don't look back!

 

[JHolt]

on the way...

Well I ordered the Skyjacker 2. 5" lift springs (front only) from 4WPW a week ago. Was hoping to get them Friday so I could install them on Saturday for this coming weekend's trip to Mexico. Turns out I already have the right length Rancho shocks for a 2. 5" lift. The people at 4WPW had no idea about different sized bushings, only one size in their catalog, and it was the same part # as the OEM replacements. We'll see... The front driveshaft is already close to its maximum angle, so I hope these don't lift it much more than it already is!



jack

 

[KMC]

Jack, the bushing issue is a struggle for those with 92 (I believe) and 93 (for sure) trucks. In those later years Dodge switched to a 5/8" bolt instead of the standard 1/2" bolt. As a result the stock spring eye was larger than 1" in order to accomodate the larger oem bushing. Skyjacker unfortunately only makes the springs with the earlier 1" eye diameter. What this means is that guys with the later trucks can use the springs but have to omit the busing sleave in order to fit the 5/8" bolt. This works and is what Skyjacker recommends for this problem but it is less than ideal. The setup is subject to accelerated wear and creates a problem of bending the braket when tightened since the sleave is not there to prevent compression. So... . A few have been brainstorming on how to fix this problem right. Some have bored out the earlier busing to accomodate the sleave, some have been looking for other applicable busings, etc. I have yet to call around and see if there is a shop that can safely enlarge the eye in order to make use of the later Dodge bushings... The problem for me right now is time, time, time. I imagine that some day someone will figure out a viable solution.

 

[JHolt]

they're in

Okay that makes sense, KMC... especially since the springs arrived today and tonight while fixing up the front brakes I had a fit of insanity and decided to go ahead and install the springs too. The bolts on my truck are the 1/2" variety, so it all worked just fine with the bushings and the sleeves. The thing I don't understand is that I had taken the stock springs from my '92 and put them on there last year when I did the conversion. I guess I used the 1/2" bolts from the older truck. When I took them off tonight, I could tell they fit the bushings just fine. I did have the springs re-arched at a shop, and I vaguely recall new bushings being put in, so perhaps they put 1/2" bushings in there and I didn't even notice.



The Skyjacker 2. 5" springs only lifted my truck about 1/2" compared to my modified stock springs, so that is great, and the truck is level in the front and I can tell the ride is better. So they seem to be perfect! Thanks for the info, guys.



Now I'm battling a problem with the truck pulling to the right... but that has been ongoing and doesn't seem to have anything to do with the springs.



it's always somethin!!

jack

 

[Stevem]

Question for MMiller.



I notice from your post that you have the Kelderman suspension. How do you like it? Do you have rear only or fronts also? I guess the main question is "How does it ride?"



Stevem