2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission need overload springs, or something for heavy load

[GMichaels]

have a 3500 97 5wd 5spd and on the farm I need to move 4000lb loads. I know the axle is good for 11000 and the tires even more. but when I put the load on i am almost hitting the rubber bump stops.



would like to add a leaf to beef up the rear suspension. is there a vender that make a spring that I can add to what is there?



is there a better way to increase the weight carring capicity of the truck.



I was using the ford 350 single rear wheel truck, the springs were fine it was the tires i was worred about. but now at 8 mpg(ford), i need to use the dodge.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Do you have the factory overload springs? They're a separate spring pack above the main springs with a 1" spacer in between. You can kind of see them in this photo. If not I am thinking about taking them off my '98 since I don't haul much with it and could send them your way.



Another option is to add air bags.



Vaughn

 

[AMink]

If it's just the top set of springs hitting the bump stops, I think that's what it's supposed to do. Those should be your "overloads". On my 97 2500 Heavy Duty, those things would be just close enough with my 500 pound shell on to whack the stops on every big bump. It was really startling the first few times until I figured out what was happening. Those went away along with the big beefy bottom one when I put the KORE on. Where are you at, GMichaels? I still have mine too, they're just sitting taking up space.

 

[Silver_Ram]

I don't think the overloads really start working until they hit the rubber bump stops.



Firestone air bags are a great product & would also help. I left the overload springs on my truck & added the air bags.

 

[GMichaels]

I live in rochester, NY thats upstate, no where near NYC. I have a 3500 and I think the springs are 3 inch where 2500 springs are 2 . 5 inch. I do not have a set off top springs. with the top springs you would also need top spring stops, something for the top springs to hit, like on my ford.



I want to do this at the lowest cost possible, i will check into the air bags option but that sounds expensive.



I just need a little extra, the bumpers are a 1/2 away from hitting, some of the dirt roads are rough, and don't want to break the spring.

 

[NIsaacs]

All 2500-3500 springs from "94" on, are 3", the "93" and older are 2. 5". I think the bolt holes are in the frame for the overload stops, it would be easy to bolt on a set, used overload springs are cheap. Air bags are the way to go, but will cost about $300. There might be a different spring length, with some years? If you are close to your main axle bump stops, your truck needs some help, 4000 lbs should be ok for the rest of the truck.





"NICK"

 

[Crazy Horse]

Here is a spring that won't let you down and you will maintain your factory ride when there is no load. It's a 4 spring pack to replace the weak overload spring that is part of the factory "camper Package". These only come into play when the truck is loaded. This photo was taken with a loaded Lance Camper 1161 in the bed of a 2001 3500 Dually. The camper weighed in excess of 5,000 lbs. Look at the frame and you will notice where the airbags were mounted.

 

[Crazy Horse]

Here is a closer shot.

 

[nps]

Here is a spring that won't let you down and you will maintain your factory ride when there is no load. It's a 4 spring pack to replace the weak overload spring that is part of the factory "camper Package".

Where did you get them at? How much?

 

[GMichaels]

springs and air bags

Could you tell me where you got the 4 leaf over load springs and what they cost? did they come with the stops?



I would like to know what advantages air bags offer over springs? more capicity?

 

[nps]

I would like to know what advantages air bags offer over springs? more capicity?

Air bags allow you to level the truck. Overloads (spring packs or Timbrens) require the truck to squat a little before starting to work.



Downside of the air bags is $$$ if you have an onboard air compressor, although you can fill them manually if you want. There is also a risk of getting an air leak and then losing all the lift too.

 

[TowPro]

Could you tell me where you got the 4 leaf over load springs and what they cost? did they come with the stops?



I would like to know what advantages air bags offer over springs? more capicity?

GMichaels, don't your truck already have those stops already on the frame like in the picture above? Is that what you are talking about when you say the spring is almost hitting the stops? If so, when the spring hits those stops, that's when the helper springs are starting to work!

 

[GMichaels]

I only have one set of springs, there are no stops like the one in the picture. the stop i am talking about is the rubber one hat hit the axle when springs reach there limit.



Have a stupid question, the air bags carry 5000lbs, so is this additive to the springs? so if my load was around 6k it would notbe a problem.



after reading most use air bags. still looking for springs to compare price and determine if the extra cost is worth it.

 

[nps]

I only have one set of springs, there are no stops like the one in the picture. the stop i am talking about is the rubber one hat hit the axle when springs reach there limit.



Have a stupid question, the air bags carry 5000lbs, so is this additive to the springs? so if my load was around 6k it would notbe a problem.



after reading most use air bags. still looking for springs to compare price and determine if the extra cost is worth it.

Theoretically the air bags add to the springs, but you'll pop your tires before reaching that limit. Plus, because most people use the air bags to level the truck, the springs never see any of the load, so from a practical standpoint, no the air bags don't add to the springs. Finally they won't add to or change the manufacturers GVWR.



If you want to replace the bump stop you are talking about in this post, look at Timbrens. About $180 for your truck, and you'll never have to touch it or worry about it again.

 

[aviatorman]

I have the Firestone air bags and they are great for varied heavy loads in the bed, and easily adjusted with just a "spritz" of air.

 

[GMichaels]

I weighed the rear of my truck, it was less than 3 k. axle is 11k tires x4 are 11k i don't think i will be poping any tires,. I was worried about that using the ford single rears), but the ford springs were not even close to bottoming out for the same load on the dodge.



i would need springs and the bump stops, will see if i can post a pic of what i have

will do some more reading.



good info,

 

[MJudd]

I like Timbren springs

I have a 1998 3500 4WD. I needed extra carrying capacity on the front axle for a snowplow. A mechanic friend suggested Timbren springs---it's an auxillary coil spring that only works when you have extra load to carry. It's a very simple concept that works great and doesn't change/affect your ride comfort.



Yes... Timbren makes springs for the rear axle as well. Two things I like about Timbren are... . 1. You don't have to add air 2. There's virtually nothing to wear our (eventially an airbag will develop a leak).



websight is..... http://www.timbren.com/

 

[Crazy Horse]

GMichaels wrote:

"Could you tell me where you got the 4 leaf over load springs and what they cost? did they come with the stops?



I would like to know what advantages air bags offer over springs? more capicity?"







Any spring shop can make these for you. These 4 leaf springs were made by Alaska Spring in Anchorage. They cost approx $400 installed, a little less last year than a set of airbags; w/o controller or comressor.



I sold RV's for 5 years and set trucks up to carry a load safely. After having a bad experience with airbags years ago on a 97 F-350 I personally will never own a set of airbags again. They inhibit spring travel w/ empty and cause undisirable spring action. Over the years of setting these springs on Ford, Chev, and Dodges every person who had them installed were happy campers. People like my self who were not satisfied with the effects of airbags and changed over to the 4 spring pac were always happy. Dodges 94 and up come with a lame (weak) either 1 or two leaf overload spring that is part of their "camper package" from the factory. This 4 spring pac just replaces them. In the cases like a Chev or a truck with no camper package the "bump stops" are available from spring shops.

 

[NIsaacs]

How are you getting an 11,000 lbs rear axle rating, seems like they are more like 8,000 lbs in the Dodge. The F-450 Dana 80 is rated 11,000 lbs.





"NICK"

 

[nps]

The axle itself is rated for 11K#. Not what Dodge says the whole truck will do - what Dana says the axle will do.