2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Installed tuff truck hd springs, now what to do to rear?

[liftedlpg]

Have a 97 1 ton feed truck off highway only. Front driver side was sagging and hitting stops so told tuff truck what i used it for and they recomended their stiffest spring. Install went ok but realized i had a broken spring. Now that these monster springs are on ( estimated 3.5 lift) what can i do to rear leafs to level truck. I haul over 5000 lbs on hay bed regularly. I cut some failed airbags off truck when i bought it so dont want to go that route

 

[Mingoglia]

If you believe you're about 3.5" higher in the front, I'd get lift blocks for the back that would come with a kit that is 3.5" over stock. They should come with the longer u-bolts as well. I'd search the Internet for lift kits for your truck, and just buy the back. Most don't come with new springs, but come with the blocks.

 

[JR]

3.5" above factory height? I'm really surprised they suggested that much of a lift for a work truck. That already puts you nose high with no load on the bed. That's a poor recommendation in my book, unless you are running oversized tires they should have recommended either stock springs or at most the HD plow springs. The plow springs are stiffer than factory and I believe they give you an extra 1/2"-1" of height.

Keep in mind the more you jack the rear up the more unstable it will make for a tow rig, especially if you haul a gooseneck or 5th wheel.

Probably not what you want to hear but I think I'd call them back and see if they would take your springs back in exchange for a factory height or HD plow set. Either set should have enough capacity.

 

[liftedlpg]

Ok thanks. May add one overload leaf and blocks

 

[liftedlpg]

Jr i told them it has big front bumper, deweze hay bed and 1250 cube feeder so they thought i needed the biggest. It's ok, i have an 01 that is lifted . I can use extra height on this rig but will have to watch the higher center of gravity

 

[photowrite]

If you believe you're about 3.5" higher in the front, I'd get lift blocks for the back that would come with a kit that is 3.5" over stock. They should come with the longer u-bolts as well. I'd search the Internet for lift kits for your truck, and just buy the back. Most don't come with new springs, but come with the blocks.

This is also the approach I would take.

 

[Bob4x4]

I would not recommend adding a block in the rear,it would add leverage to increase wheel hop.Have the springs built to match the front,an easy task for any spring shop.unless you changed the front shocks I doubt you lifted 3.5 inches (the shocks would be too short to bolt up)

 

[liftedlpg]

Bob i called a local spring shop( 150miles) and he suggested adding two leafs each side for my service. Am running without shocks till i can measure and order some longer ones. Thanks

 

[AH64ID]

I agree with Bob, blocks are a bad idea especially in this application.

If your front springs were worn out and broken it's a safe bet the rears aren't in great shape. Why not get a new set for the rear too?

 

[photowrite]

Bob i called a local spring shop( 150miles) and he suggested adding two leafs each side for my service. Am running without shocks till i can measure and order some longer ones. Thanks

I agree with Bob, blocks are a bad idea especially in this application.

If your front springs were worn out and broken it's a safe bet the rears aren't in great shape. Why not get a new set for the rear too?

New rear springs are certainly the best plan.

And I understand that every truck, application and driver are different, and the standard recommendation is never to use blocks.... However, on my last build before my current Ram I needed a little more height in the rear after adding new leaf packs. I raised the rear some more with 2" blocks, my first time using blocks---zero problems.

As we know, many OE setups have blocks in the rear, historically/sometimes taller on "1-tons" than "3/4-tons", they can and do work, both for the OEMs and the aftermarket. But I agree that if a front coil was actaully broken the truck could likely used new suspension everywhere!

Another thought and argument for better or new leaf springs... Unless the 3500s were much better and/or improved by 1997, my '95 2500 had soft suspension, nice for an empty ride but I was not impressed when a load was applied. My coil-sprung '14 2500 handles weight better.

 

[JR]

The GVW on the current 4th gens are significantly higher than the 2nd gens do its somewhat of an apples to oranges comparison.

If the coils truly are 3.5" taller than factory I still think it's a little much for a truck that's going to daily haul 5,000 pounds.