Leaf Springs

[JBurghard]

I am trying to find replacements for my stock rear leafs on my 93 3/4 ton.



I would like to find ones that would allow me to remove the stock lift blocks as well as gain an extra 2 inches of ride height.



I went 4 wheeling with a bunch of friends(jeep owners) today and I left a lot of them with their jaws hanging in the dirty when I was climbing a lot of obstacles they were having problems with. the only change to my truck is she rides on 285/75/16's.



The problem I ran into was my rear axle doesn't travel very much causing me to have some problems on the trail.



So I wanna find out if anyone knows of leafs I could use that would improve the off road behavior of my truck while still maintaining its ability to tow heavy trailers.



Thanks



James

 

[RDusch]

James,



skyjacker makes a 6" arched rear spring for our trucks, i got them on my truck and they flex great, the 6" springs with no blocks is the same ride hight as stock, you'll still need a 2" block for the rest.



I'm running 295/75/16's (34") tires on mine with plenty of flex and tires never rub.



Rick



skyjacker system

 

[JBurghard]

Rick,

Thanks for the info on the leafs.



How does she ride after installing the new leafs?



And what did you do to the front to fit those tires?



with the 285's she will rub if I am turning while going over a bump.



Thanks again.



James

 

[RDusch]

James,



What i bought was the 2 1/2" "system" it came with the 6" rear springs and 2 1/2" inch front springs. ended up with more like 3" over stock in the front, the truck rides 100% better then stock and with a load the truck is even better "rides like a Cadillac"



here are some old pics (crappy scans) that i took about 5 years ago of the suspension flexing these where taken with 33's



pic 1 pic 2



no problem with the front hitting even when turned, the drop on the drivers side is limited by the steering, a crossover conversion would be aw some !!



Rick D

 

[JBurghard]

Rick,



Sorry if I'm a little lost, but I think I am.



The 2. 5 inch kit gives you the 6 inch soft ride leafs which allow you to remove the Rear lift blocks and 2. 5 inch leafs for the front which you said gave you about 3 inches all together.



Is that correct?



And did this make you truck more level?



As for the front end me and a Friend are already Fabing up some sway bar disconnects to help with the travel up there.



Thanks again for the help.



James

 

[RDusch]

Thats right, leaves the back at stock hight, and raises the front about 3" to level the truck ... ... ..... Rick

 

[opel]

An option is the Kelderman air ride. Not the cheapest for sure but will give you eveything you are looking for. Geat suspension travel because the rear shackles are no longer hooked to the frame. I have had these for 140000 and not a problem. It is real nice with loads beacase it will maintain the ride height and a nice plush ride.

 

[Dscholz]

James,

I also have the 6" rear springs on the back of my '90. They work great on and off road. I have also hauled my 14K fifth wheel with the rear springs and they hold the weight just fine, no sagging. I would highly recommend the 6" Skyjacker rear springs for you. I am also running 285/75R16's on my truck and they work great, no rubbing.

Good luck,

Dan

 

[KEENO]

Alcan Springs

Check Out: Alcan Spring in Colorado



Alcan Spring



I've been dealing w/ Charles (owner) on a future spring purchase and have found his prices to be better on "custom spring packs" than the Skyjacker Springs I run.



From email: "The cost of springs customized up to 6" in lift: $195 each front spring

and $205 rear spring. They come with bushings and take about 3 weeks to

design/build. The springs would essentially by W250 springs. "



His email response to all of my silly questions has been exceptional!



No money has changed hands yet so I can't comment on the final product.



KEENO

 

[jlast]

on alcan springs, a friend has a pair that decided to completely flatten out, and did not hold up to a compareable spring from another manufacture.



this could be a bad set of springs, could be just that application.



Just curious but i was quoted by a local shop at $245 each a rear dr60S skyjacker 6" rear, what is everyone else getting?

 

[KEENO]

Thanks for the Info on Alcan Jlast... ...



I might need to ask a few more questions before laying down some cash.



Does anyone know the website for "National Spring"?



I need to do some more spring comparison shopping.....



KEENO



PS: I only have the 2. 5" Front SJ Springs in my truck (No rears)..... I paid $300. 00/pair for the SJ Springs 3 years ago.

 

[Steve Graham]

Originally posted by KEENO



Does anyone know the website for "National Spring"?





KEENO



I don't think they have one yet. I've had a set of "National Springs" on my Dodge for 10 years. I wouldn't drive a mile without them.



Steve



http://www.off-road.com/race/nationalspring/

 

[Steve Graham]

James,

Pardon me for butting in so late on the leaf spring question. My first set of rear springs for my 92 W250 was a set of SkyJacker 6", this was in 93. I wanted to remove the blocks and get a little lift. What I got was soft ride but only for a few inches and then the springs would contact the spring mounts and or push the shackles against the hangers. Infinite spring rate!!

When they design a leaf spring for more height the spring length must increase. When this is done the spring must be stiffer as opposed to a non lift spring. This stiffness is offset by using multi leaf springs, this works to a point, but articulation is compromised. To get articulation and a softer ride over the factory leafs I went with a 2" lift and had to build a custom block that ended up being about 3" high. My rear set of National Springs have been on my Dodge for 10 years, I highly recommend them.



Steve

 

[JBurghard]

Sounds good.....



With a few recent 4x4 trips under my belt my Ideas of what I want to do with the truck have changed a little.....



I would like to gain 2 to 3 inches in the front to help make room for the Crossover Conversion with high steer I am getting ready to do... .



In the back I would like it so my truck rides more level and has a little more travel when off roading... . A little more road manners in the back would be nice to.....



So if you think the leafs and blocks you did on your truck fit the bill, I would like to know what springs you used as well as the specs on the new blocks... .



Thanks Again For All The Help.



James

 

[jlast]

who you asking? Rear spring are your problem, i believe that few people have any trouble with the 2" skyjacker fronts. ?



RDusch posted both pics of his rig flexn plus the skyjacker link directly for the kit he is using. others mentioned that they also used the 6" rear skyjacker spring dr60S.



Steve said 2" lift National springs with custom 3" block. Other commented on using national springs on there vehicles.



The problem is your quest to tow heavy plus travel, soft ride plus capacity is handled by more leafs, which national is well known for, and they also have very good travel, but costs are usually high but for very good springs.



My problem with the skyjacker spring is its also listed for a ramcharger and 1/2 ton, which i know will not work load wise on my 1 ton, but it is listed for all. Option to put helpers, overload, or air load bags was something i looked at, but only add to the price of the springs. I contacted skyjacker and they would not release the spring rate, nor spring load ratings on the rear spring.

Now if you are looking at something like this I would also mention the possiblity that a 8" lift chevy 52" long rear spring should also work in this application, should as in by the measurements, spring width, etc. . it is compareable to the skyjacker spring plus a 2" lift block, this is also with out spring rate and spring load unknown. Chevy springs do have different wrapped eyes. And difference on center pin placement of under an inch. Any other info please pm me, on this stuff. I am currently looking into matching my 2" skyjacker front, and getting rid of or cutting down the 6" factory block.



I just paid $350 for SJ 2" fronts d200cs with spring kit and shipping to me a month ago, but got $30 back after it took over a week to get it.

 

[Steve Graham]

Originally posted by JBurghard

Sounds good.....

cut...

So if you think the leafs and blocks you did on your truck fit the bill, I would like to know what springs you used as well as the specs on the new blocks... .



Thanks Again For All The Help.



James

James,

When you order springs from National,

there's a long form to fill out. They want to know the weight on each axle, and a whole lot of other stuff, like intended useage, GCVW, and a lot of other stuff I can't remember. IF you want the articulation and the weight carrying capabilty, it can't be done with "just" one set of springs. Sounds like you could use some "softer" springs for normal driving and a set of air bags on top to carry the heavy loads? Also consider a torque bar to prevent axle wrap.



Steve

 

[JBurghard]

Thanks For all the Good Advice... ... .



I think I'm going to go with the Skyjacker 2. 5 system... .



It seems to give me a lot of the things I want for my truck... .



And with the 2. 5 inches of lift in the front I will have room for a crossover steering conversion as well as high steer...



Thanks Again



James