JCWhintey Springs

[ESchoon]

Anyone use these springs on the rear of their 1st gen. ?



http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/ItemBrowse/c-10101/s-10101/p-100000261423/mediaCode-ZX/appId-10253159/Pr-p_CATENTRY_ID:10000026142310253159



My current OEM set are wore out. Hauled a load of landscaping rock this weekend (bed wasn't even half full) and my tail end was sagging baddddddd. Leafs were flat as they could be.



Also, does anyone have a source for OEM or OEM style overloads? My truck has none! Sure could use some.



Thanks,



Eric

 

[bgilbert]

LMAO, yes I was in the same boat, worn out rear leafs, replaced with JC Junk Whitney rear leafs, to no avail!!. Raised the rear NONE. With the new leaves laid out next to the old sagging stockers on the floor, they had the same arch!!!! Do not spend any money on JcWhitney junk.



A good spring and alignment shop is your best bet. Have a true rearch done with an add-a leaf. Not just an add-a leaf, but a true rearch. Where they heat up the springs and bend them or something, then add a thicker leaf to the spring pack. Tell them how much 'lift' you want, they'll measure before and after the height of the rear bumper. Depending on how much lift you want, they can add one or more leaves to the pack etc.

 

[Greenleaf]

True. Any well know, quality, well equipped spring/frame shop will perform said task and it won't even be a challenge to 'em.

 

[91W350]

If you are lucky, they will let you watch the rearching process. I found it pretty close to amazing.



Sure beats the old days when we tore spring packs apart, drew a line on the concrete floor and beat each individual leaf into submission with a big hammer and an anvil.



They last longer than the hard way too. I can hear the next day too! On top of all that, no aching shoulders and back! ;^) Glen

 

[AKimmel]

I bought mine from Horton spring here in Jacksonville, FL. They were the heaviest rated 3/4 ton springs in their book. I don't recall the brand, but they were american made and have held up to about 40,000 miles of use so far. They sit perfect with the 2. 5 inch skyjacker's in the front. I think they were about $130 each, Horton said it was cheaper to buy the new ones instead of rearching my old ones. You can see pics of how it sits in my readers rig.

 

[1stgen4evr]

I can personally recommend rear air bags. Not the ones on the end of the springs but rather mounted over the axle. There is enough room. Mystery man commented that you can use half ton springs if you do this. I can attest that my 'old faithful' 93 at 500k miles has a bumper to ground distance that is more than original from the fact that I have put the load on the bags and I keep them pumped a bit past original level. When we did this, there were no aftermarket folks doing it that way. Recently, I saw a kit listed (Summit I think) that mounts the bags over the axle. The kit does not include a reinforcment crossmember where the bag mounts bolt to the frame. I am sure that would be required if you load like I do. Mine are mounted to extensions to the cross plate that the in-bed ball is mounted on. With the bags, you can put just about anything on the truck and pump it back to level. Although not imperative, an on board (small 12 volt model) air compressor is very desirable.



James

 

[EDudley]

i installed a set of heavy duty 3/4 ton springs from JC Whitney on my '88 half ton. They have lasted fairly well, about 3 and a half years now. I would not use them under a diesel though. Too much wieght, the front end of my 88(318) and alot of snow plowing flatens out the springs, which was to be expected with the wight of the plow and all.



So liek many others have siad, have them re-arched, or have that shop make you a set if they can. Rearching is probabbly the best route to go. Good luck

 

[ESchoon]

Thanks guys for all the responses.





I called my local spring shop yesterday and asked him about a new pack. He needs the number off the top of leaf pack to determine which pack I have. I'm going to call them back to ask about the rearching and his process. They have been doing spring work for over 50 years so I feel confindent he won't take me down the wrong road. Not looking for anymore lift, just want to get the carry capacity back.

 

[bgilbert]

If thats the case, you might have them build you an overload spring pack in addition to an add a leaf.