New front springs

[CDegner]

Went to a BOMB party yesterday up in Samammish, WA and installed a new set of front springs. I installes the MOOG Chassis K7226S springs. They are the one ton super heavy duty springs. This brought my front end up nicely. My truck now actuallys sits level. This is the first time that has been the case since I bought the truck almost 9 years ago. The ride is a little stiffer but not as rough as the 4X4 trucks have.



Unfortunately, I also discovered I need new ball joints. :{ Guess I will be taking the rig in on Monday for that. Does anyone know about the MOOG enhanced design abll joints for our trucks?



BTW, I would definitely say the springs were worth it. Oo. Oo.



Carl

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

Glad to hear they are working - keep us posted as to how well they settle in. For the those thinking about this job it's a tough one. Carl worked his tail off with help from Eric Wagener and some minor contributions from others. All in all it took about 3 hours but the result was supurb. The front of the truck came up a good 3 inches.



Bob

 

[DBF]

I was about to do this job. Then I noticed when I had the 5er trailer on the hitch, the truck was level.



I decided to put 7226's (no "S") in, which cured about a half-inch of settling, since it really looks crappy to tow with the nose in the air.



DBF

 

[sparks57]

Airbags! Oo.



Don't leave home without 'em!

 

[paccool]

CB,

I have the rear air bags. I keep looking at the ones for the front that go inside the stock springs. I am wondering if the ones for a 94 will fit my 93. Then I could adjust as needed for a level ride. Anyone know if the front sprinds on a 93 D250 are the same as those on a 94 D250?



Well hell, I just remembered the shocks are inside the springs so I don't think this idea is going to work very well Guess I will need to replace the springs after all.

 

[CDegner]

Air bags that go inside the front coil springs on a D250? I did not know there was such a thing. Can't be much room in there since the shock absorber sits inside the coil spring. As for the the 93 and 94 having the same springs, they don't (at least not according to MOOG).



Carl

 

[cerberusiam]

RE: Air Bags

The 94 D250 springs have about the same internal/external diameter and are roughly 3 tenths of an inch shorter. The air bags I have found use a plate that sits on the spring coils to hold the bottom so adjusting for the height difference should be relatively easy. The shock needs to be relocated outside the spring also. A couple of aftermarket shock mounts, one on the lower control arm and one on the frame and a 4x4 shock, should solve that problem. From the measurements the shock will need to be as close to the frame as possible to clear the tires on a turn. Firestone makes an air bag that fits the 94 and up trucks that will allow up to 60 psi in the bag. Their claim is not only for weight carrying but also leveling the truck. I have been running the heavy springs for about a year and they have already settled an inch and a half. With heavy tires and rough roads, it tends to hammer the front end so have been looking for a solution to ride and height. FWIW this is the best one I have found.

 

[banzaitoyota]

do you have pics of that set-up???

 

[cerberusiam]

Sorry, no pics yet. That is part of my winter project along with steering and ball joint upgrades. It is all theoretical and scratched on the back of envelopes at this time. Gotta leave the family enough to get that gauge kit I have been hinting at for a Christmas present.