Overload Spring Removal

[Slick]

I have a 2500 and I to like the lower look. I removed the 1" spacers with no problem. But after reading in the discusion forum I decided to remove my overloads. Did the same procedure but with the pin lifted away from the axle I could not get the overloads to budge. Did not use a great deal of force as I was afraid of bending something. Put it back together and would seek out some help. If anybody can give an amature some direction I would greatly appreciate it. My truck is a 2001. 5. Help anyone?

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2001. 5 2500HD Quad Cab Slt Laramie,SWB,5. 9 24V Cummins,Black Clear Coat, Forged Aluminum Wheels,TT Pkg. , AT, Fog Lamps, AM/Fm Cassette/CD/Equalizer

 

[B.G. Smith]

Slick, the spring and overload are held together by a tie-bolt through the center. It has a special head on it to keep the spring aligned with the differential. You will have to remove the bolt. There will be some tension on the springs and they will relax some when you remove the bolt. Don't start the job until you have new tie-bolts in hand as the old ones will probably twist off. The new ones will look way too long but that is so you can get it through the springs and get the nut on with the springs relaxed. You may need shorter "U" bolts too or some washers to take up the extra thread. bg

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White 99 3500, QC, 3:55, auto. most options except leather, Line-X bed liner, fiberglass running boards Rancho 9000s, bug shield and window vents, black vented 5th wheel tailgate, 110 gal. aux. fuel tank.

 

[Okie-Go]

It is none of my affair but why would you want to take them off?

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2001 quadcab slt 2500 HO 6spd. LWB,2wd,dk garnett red,cab clearance lights, trailer tow package,camper special, lock-right locker, 3. 54 gears,ez edge, speed liner,oversized stainless steel chicken slide,66 gallon in bed aux. tank,K&N air filter,Reese 20k hitch, Terry 2000 EX 30ft. double slide 5er, 2000 20ft gooseneck for haulin jeep, firewood and huntin stuff. 5X12 tagalong for haulin the 4 wheeler. Okie Newton

 

[Slick]

B. G. Thanks for the info. I was afraid to remove the bolt without knowing what I was getting into. Okie, the only thing that I ever pull is an enclosed motorcycle trailer (light weight) just like the level look on the truck. Wife says she would like a little softer ride got to keep her happy. However I don't want to make any major changes if I don't like them. Guess I'm a little gun shy as I have never done any real custom changes to a vehicle. But they tell me once I start the rest will come! Thanks

 

[TomB]

I don't think you are going to affect either the ride height or the suppleness of the ride by removing the overload springs. On my 2500, the overloads are not involved in the suspension unless I load something very heavy in the bed. Even with my 5vr. hooked up, with 2300 lbs of pin weight I still don't squat the rear enough to engage the overloads. Save yourself a lot of work and leave the overloads on! Just my 2CW!

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2000 Qc LWB ETC 6Sp 3:54 LSD, + all the options except leather, BD Stage ll Injectors,Edge EZ, Psychotty& K&N,
BD E-Brake with Shifter Control, ISSPRO EGT and Boost Gauges, Transfer Flow 50 Gal. Alum. Fuel Tank, Line X
16K Hijacker Double Rocker, Pulling a 35Ft. triple slide Spinnaker 5vr.
1996 Viper GTS
Suzuki DRZ400
1100 Yamaha Cruiser

 

[JKloppe]

Tom- I think the same way as you, if the springs are not touching anything they can't be doing anything, BUT I talked to a guy that took them out and he said it made a big difference.

Just a FYI

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·1999 2500 QC LB Auto 3. 55 4x4
·Armorthane Bed liner, A-pillar gauges, RE-0880, EZ, 275's, Husky mats, strait pipe

 

['956Wheel]

Slick, Loosen the bolt that goes through the springs, turn the spring(s) 90 degrees and C clamp the rest (healthy clamps) then remove the bolt and springs and put the bolt back, tighten then remove the C clamps. Saves you the trouble of loosing position and having to deal with tension.

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9535hundred

 

[Slick]

Thanks everyone for the help!!! I think I have enough info now so I won't mess things up. Being an amature at this I needed all the advice I could get. Shouldn't mess things up so if I don't like the change I can put it back. I still am going to do the job but it will probably be delayed til next weekend. I'll let everyone know the outcome, thanks.

 

[Deezul1]

Slick
Let us know how it goes, I want to do that on my 97 also. The overloads are about 2" from the brackets and I can feel them hit on a big bump. My 96 had them removed when I got it and the ride was much better.

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97 SLT Laramie CC 5spd, 3. 54, Ranch Hand front and rear. Lotsa goodies coming soon. Oh oh dang cat fell off. Member NRA/USPSA

 

[KWentling]

I took the overloads off my '98 for two reasons:1. was sick of hearing them bang on every bump (they had the rubber covers on the stops from the factory but they still banged)2. to soften the ride. I put Timbren auxillarys on get the load carrying ability back up. It cured the banging and did improve the ride. I had the Timbrens on my '95 and liked them.

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'98 12-valve CC 2500 4x4 5-speed,Espar Heater,
Ultimate Bedliner, Turnover Gooseneck Hitch,
Bright-Box, Rancho RS9000
Combo Gage, B-D Engine Brake

 

[klenger]

Are the overloads the top springs or the bottom springs? If they are the top ones, how does removing them change the empty ride, since they don't touch anything anyway. I would remove them too if it would soften the ride and lower the truck some as I plan to get a 5th wheel.

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Ken Lenger
2001. 5 2500 QC 4X4 SWB SLT, ETC/DDX 5 Speed, 3. 54 (no LSD), camper group, trailer folding mirrors, RBR CD/Radio, LT265/75R16E AT OWL tires, trailer tow group, Patroit Blue / Agate, Westin CPS Step Bars, Jordan Utlima Brake Controller, Weather_Guard 664 tool box
Trailite 21' Travel Trailer, ~4000 lbs loaded.

 

[KWentling]

Ken: The overloads are the top springs. I think the reason it helps the ride is because when the suspension compressed in a bumb the overloads would touch, hence the banging and harsher ride. The springs and stops both showed that they had been making contact. Removing the overloads will not change the height of the truck unless the truck is under load because there is no overloads to "catch" it.
Kim Wentling

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'98 12-valve CC 2500 4x4 5-speed,Espar Heater,
Ultimate Bedliner, Turnover Gooseneck Hitch,
Bright-Box, Rancho RS9000
Combo Gage, B-D Engine Brake

 

[Slick]

On my 2001. 5 2500 The entire set of springs as well as the overloads are on the top of the axle. The overloads are the first springs above the 1" spacer that sits directly on top of the axle. Near as I can tell the overloads are about 5/8ths of an inch thick, so by removing the 1" spacers and the overloads you get about and 1 5/8 drop. Being this is my first Ram Diesel I guess they must be different combinations from earlier models. Also my Ram is a 2wd. I will be removing the overloads and I will let you all know if there is any change or not. Man I love this site!

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2001. 5 2500HD Quad Cab Slt Laramie,SWB,5. 9 24V Cummins,Black Clear Coat, Forged Aluminum Wheels,TT Pkg. , AT, Fog Lamps, AM/Fm Cassette/CD/Equalizer

 

[tlippy]

Slick - new progressive shocks and lowering the rear tire pressure to 38psi did a lot in improving my ride

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99' Quad 4x4 A/T LB 3. 54 45K Miles.
26' Terry w/slide (7500GVWR)
"KISS your truck and it will be forever faithful"

 

[klenger]

Here is a picture I took of my rear axle. According to this thread, the overload spring is the top one, just under the u-bolt. As you can see, the spacers are larger than 1 inch. I wonder if the 2WD is built differently. It appears that removing the lower leaf would drop the rear end about 3/4 inch and may soften the ride, but would there be any side effects?

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Ken Lenger
2001. 5 2500 QC 4X4 SWB SLT, ETC/DDX 5 Speed, 3. 54 (no LSD), camper group, trailer folding mirrors, RBR CD/Radio, LT265/75R16E AT OWL tires, trailer tow group, Patroit Blue / Agate, Westin CPS Step Bars, Jordan Utlima Brake Controller, Weather_Guard 664 tool box
Trailite 21' Travel Trailer, ~4000 lbs loaded.

 

[JMoglia]

Hey guys,you might look at one of the other springs maybe one of the longer ones to soften the ride,and leave the overload in ?? just a thought. good luck JDM JOE