Leaf Spring Replacements

[Fastback67]

So what's the general consensus here in regard to quality replacement leaf springs?

The front springs on my 1990 1st Gen are frowny faces; bent over and long dead, often bottoming out on the bigger potholes, which coincidently are located at every single highway overpass when crossing the state of Massachusetts. They should build a bypass over that entire F'n state in both directions!
During one trip across that state, my positive battery cable was jarred lose and thrown off the battery post.
Unfortunately, I have to cross that state quite often, so new springs up front are a must now. I'm not looking to jack up the truck or anything, stock height works for me. Just wondering what other folks here have used and been satisfied with.

Thanks

 

[NIsaacs]

4x2 or 4x4? Well, the title says leaf springs, so that answers my question

You might try here:

https://www.autoandtrucksprings.com/dodge-ram-d-series-dodge-ram-w-series-leaf-springs/

 

[DavidC]

4x2 or 4x4?

Front leafs, 4x4. 4x2 = coils

 

[Fastback67]

LOL !!! OK ... 1990 DODGE W250 4 X 4 CUMMINS TURBO DIESEL.

 

[AH64ID]

It depends on how much you’re willing to spend. Deaver or Alcan custom springs would get my vote. Not the cheapest, but worth the price.

 

[Fastback67]

I'm very familiar with Alcan and agree... Dealers are sketchy at best, so not so much.
The folks over at Alcan are on my short list, but like you said... not the cheapest... $610 to start for the fronts, and a 6 to 8 week lead time on all orders paid up front.
Alcan is custom builder, however, building springs to match your very specific needs and/or requirements, so yes, with that being said, they are definitely worth the extra cost in a many cases. In fact, I'll be looking to them for the leaf springs on my 67 Charger.
Personally, I'd rather not have to wait 2 months for a set of Alcan springs to arrive if I don't have to though... winter is coming and my "to do" list isn't getting any shorter in the mean time, so I'm curious to see what other folks here have been using successfully.

 

[AH64ID]

Just noticed autocorrect got me. Deaver is my other recommendation.

 

[Fastback67]

LOL... Don't you hate that!

Deaver... That's a new one for me. I'll check them out as well, Thanks John!

Mike

 

[Fastback67]

I looked at the Deaver site... No mention of Dodge ... only the usual Chebby, Ford, Jeep & Toyota
Oddly enough, the lead image on their home page is a shot of a Dodge Cummins... Go figure?

 

[AnonEd]

I'll second Alcan and Deaver, know some who like Atlas and Betts, but for shipping costs at this weight a local 4WD club might have good ideas too. IIRC yours is a regular cab and probably not as nose-down as my Club was, but I wouldn't rule out a small lift for this one reason: Brand new my truck had about 1.5 inches to the bump stop, and the bump stop maybe squishes an inch. Keeping the spring pack about the same thickness using more, thinner leafs but set about 1.5 inches higher nets a better ride from the more flexible pack itself and the extra 60% in compression travel. It still rides like a truck, albeit a more comfortable truck. My brief search suggests anything 2 inches or less won't be an issue with MA authorities.

 

[Capt. Methane]

I put Alcan springs on my '92 W-250 a year ago and those completely changed the character of the truck for the better! Fill out the questionnaire honestly-what you tow with how much in the bed honestly and for the maximum you ever do, even if it may be a slight overload. The factory springs, particularly the front springs, were completely inadequate.

This '92 is hammered and honestly was a bit scary with the 25' Avion behind it before I put the Alcan springs in it, now-well, it will never ride like some new Luxury vehicle-it's still the best of 1960 suspension tech-but the improvement, well, I sometimes wonder where my truck went!

 

[Fastback67]

Thanks Guys! Much Appreciated!

Mike

 

[mwilson]

I don't know where in Mass you are but if on the Boston side call Donovan Spring in Manchester, NH.

They are my second tier supplier and I cant say enough good about them....call and ask for the spring shop.

https://www.donovanspring.com/

 

[Fastback67]

I live in southeastern CT and northern NH... consequently, I have to cross through Mass all the time. I always dread taking the truck. It's the only state I'm aware of that repaves the road, but not the overpasses!!! The highways themselves have been repaved, but the overpasses you cross over along the way are just mine fields left over from the great war. The entire truck slams and bounces around like you just hit an old rocky washboard dirt road at 72 mph!!! What a bunch of farg'n iceholes!!!!!

I just finished repairing an oil leak at the vacuum pumps thanks to this. The Bolts had rattled loose and were backing out. Before that it was the positive battery terminal that flew off the battery post.

 

[Fastback67]

The closest local spring shop to me that I know of would probably be Palmer Springs over in Providence., RI.
http://palmer-spring.com

 

[mwilson]

Mike,

Did you see these that Wayne just posted??

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/w250-ctd-front-springs.269928/

 

[Wayne M.]

He can take a ride and pick em up.

 

[Fastback67]

Thanks Fellas, but I'm going to have to pass. At this point I have no faith in the original OEM springs up front.
Current plan is to install a Roadmaster kit at the rear, add a sway bar up front, with a set of 1" lift springs.

 

[RSchwarzli]

My vote is for Alcan. I have installed there springs into multiple of my trucks now and the oldeest install now is 10 years later. Still no sag and still fantastic. Would 100% buy from again. The old saying you get what you pay for....

Robert

 

[pwerwagn]

Alcan, Atlas, Deaver or Carrier/Custom suspension. All 3 have their plusses.

Another option is to have Stephen Watson spec you some springs thru alcan. His Custom spec gm atlas fronts are amazing.