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rear spring help for big cabover

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Rain Gutter Rust

cracking sound from cowl

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Any thoughts for '93 1 ton with 11' 3000lb.
camper? It's a little rocky. Truck has Rancho 5000's. Owner says previous lighter camper was unnoticeable but this one needs help.
Air Lift air bags?
Hellwig air bags?
Helper springs?
Others?
Thanks for listenin'.
 
I would go with the air bag. That way you could smooth it out a bit when there is no load.

Also, check the tires to make sure they are inflated properly. If the pressure is low they can allow the truck to feel "mushy".

I'm a little surprised that the truck won't carry the camper as is.

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Stan
93 2WD extended cab, Banks Power Pack, K&N Air Filter, PW Injectors,Auto w/4. 10 rear with limited slip, US Gear Exhaust Brake, 31/2" Exhaust, 5K air bags, Boost/Pyro/Tach Gauges, Green/Silver, 146K
 
Go air bags, I had a 3/4 ton Ford 4x4 and when I put a 11. 5 Dreamer camper on it it wasnt happy. I did the air bags and was very impressed with results, the sway was graetly reduced around corners also. Would Highly recomend them.

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96 SLT Laramie CC 5spd, 3. 54, no muff, no cat, 5"turn down tip
80gal fuel capacity. BD Brake, EGT,Boost + fuel pressure gauges. Member NRA/USPSA
 
I'd go air bags. I too am surprised you need them though. My 89 carries a Lance with generator and power jacks without even bringing the rear down to level. And I'd already pulled OFF the ovcerload springs.

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http://coffeewithJesus. homestead.com/web1.html 89 1-ton, Amsoil System 3000 5-30,K&N air filter, cleaned-up exhaust, Dynomax straight-thru, rebuilt pump, 12cm wastegated turbo, thermostaticly controlled twin 14" electric fans, intercooler, modified 518 OD transmission, Gear vendors OD controler, R-134, louvered fenders, 93 aftermarket smoothe grille; 78 35'Avion, 93 Lance 900 slide in with generator and power jacks. Jesus saves!
 
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Thanks for the comments guys. I too am surprised that this is an issue but I'm really only going by what the owner says comparing his old one to new one. I have never had or driven with one of these so it's adventurous for me anyway. Though I did drive a 2 1/2 ton truck for my dad's business but **** that was over 20 years ago. I wonder if the first owner pulled off overloads for ride quality? Were they standard w/ 1 ton?
Yeah, and I'll check the tire pressures too.
They are ready for replacement anyway.
Any recommendations on tires and best size for this application?
 
Airbags would be your best bet, but look for a broken spring or week sidewall tires, you should use at least a 8 ply tire with a D Rating, E rating is better yet, but you will lose some of your ride and E rated are some times have a flat spots in cold weather but that goes away after you drive a few miles. Try to stay to a stock size for safety. And most important DO NOT tie down the truck camper to the bed. Use direct frame mounts instead. They cost more, but they will not tear your box apart like a bed mounts.

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1985 DODGE 1 ton Crew Cab(imported from California with no rust) W/8' box converted to 4X4(wasn't that hard to do!) in 1999,converted to a 1991 Cummins Turbo diesel & 5 speed Getrag in 2000(wife can't drive a stick :). 4:10 gears, limited slip rear end, 205 transfer case, 16" Goodyear GSA Wranglers and LE Package and a Sony CD Stereo. A one of a kind truck(Wish Dodge would build a new Crew Cab in 1 ton, last year Dodge built a Crew Cab was 1985)If you want to know why I did all of this, 2 kids, one on the way and I can't stand Ford and Chevy.
 
Well I now own the truck/camper and after driving it a little I find the sway ( I would consider this as rolling side to side motion ) is not so uncomfortable but there is a pitching, hobby horsing type of motion that bothers me. There was an upgrade done to the front, details unknown. I'm wondering if the front got stiffer and the rear didn't that some balance issue may be part of the problem?
 
Hey NOMOFO my registration request has finally been approved. As mentioned in my e-mail I looked at adding air bags, specifically ones from Lance, but was unconvinced. I discussed the situation with my mechanic and elected to add two springs each side to the back spring packs. My truck (93 D350 CC)has no overload/helper springs. The truck rides level when loaded with my camper and handles great on the back roads. Unloaded the back sits up about 3" higher. The only bad part is that the ride is exceptionally "firm" when unloaded.

John
 
Thats whats nice about the air bags. When not being used, you can drop the air pressure to ease up the harshness of the ride. These trucks are rough enough without any type of overload!

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Stan
93 2WD extended cab, Banks Power Pack, K&N Air Filter, PW Injectors,Auto w/4. 10 rear with limited slip, US Gear Exhaust Brake, 31/2" Exhaust, 5K air bags, Boost/Pyro/Tach Gauges, Green/Silver, 146K
 
If you are going to buy new springs, don't get them from Skyjacker. I think they made a mistake and sold me Ramcharger springs or some other 1/2 ton application. When I towed my trailer out from CA, the nose of the truck was pointed so high in the air, I could have gone squirrel hunting at night.

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89 D-250 K&N, Boost/Pyro. & 16cm2 215K and still going. 91 W-250 16cm2, 6" Skyjacker lift, RS9000, Dump bed, 18K original mi.
 
i have a 93 4x4 duelly w/ factory overloads
9000's on front, w/ lance 11' 4000 lbs
mine works fine, but may try hellwig rear sway bar 1st then 9000's on rear
pump up rear tires to 60 if 10 plys
dont go w/ to tall of tire ,side wall flex
hope this helps ,this is my 1st reply on this. later , 300 'ly bill (mopar)
 
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