2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Rear Springs on a 2500

[hackengineering]

I just have a general question about the spring packages that were installed on the 3/4 ton trucks. I had a 97 that had the normal spring with an aditional factory overload spring that would engage with the aditional weight. Now i have a 2000 and it only had the single set of springs. I have seen this in quite a few 2500s and even a few 3500 that have just the basic spring pack and then some that have the overload pack also. Do i just have a diffrent set of springs and the same carrying capacity or were those overloads actually additional carrying capacity.

Just looking for some info.

Thanks

CH

 

[Joe Mc]

What's the door jamb sticker GVW? My 99 has the overload and sticker GVW is 8800. Not sure but willing to bet the extrak OL leaf give a bit of GVW?

 

[Rattler]

My 99 has the extra springs also. I think they are part of the camper special package. Randy

 

[fest3er]

My 99 has the extra springs also. I think they are part of the camper special package. Randy

Sounds about right. I didn't order anything special with my '98, and it has only the regular leaves and 8800 GVW rating. (They also have 230K miles on them and really should be replaced. Especially after carrying 4000# of horse dung and 3600# of gravel a time or three. )



N

 

[Grizzly]

The more the springs, the more the carrying capacity.

 

[hackengineering]

Now we know thats hardly the truth given in the past a 3/4 truck used to have spring packs of at least 10 and even 12 springs. I agree in this case it is probly true with the overloads but deffinetly the way engineers are using new steel and wider springs on these trucks, they are using fewer springs each year to accomplish the same GVW with better ride control.

 

[SnoKing]

The overloads on a 2000 were part of the camper option along with the rear sway bar. With or without the camper option it is rated to 8800 GVWR. SNOKING

 

[SMorneau]

The overloads don't come into play until you have a lot of weight in the bed. Until that point they are dead weight and they maked noise when they tap the stops. I and more than a few others have ditched them for airbags and will never go back. The truck has to squat way to far for the overloads to kick in.



In 96 you had to order the camper package to get the rear stabilizer bar and the worthless overloads came with the camper package.



Scott

 

[Grizzly]

The overloads don't come into play until you have a lot of weight in the bed. Until that point they are dead weight and they maked noise when they tap the stops. I and more than a few others have ditched them for airbags and will never go back. The truck has to squat way to far for the overloads to kick in.

In 96 you had to order the camper package to get the rear stabilizer bar and the worthless overloads came with the camper package.

Scott

I like my overloads. You never have to check air pressure, they don't leak, there always there when you need them.

 

[Regcabguy]

The overloads don't come into play until you have a lot of weight in the bed. Until that point they are dead weight and they maked noise when they tap the stops. I and more than a few others have ditched them for airbags and will never go back. The truck has to squat way to far for the overloads to kick in.



In 96 you had to order the camper package to get the rear stabilizer bar and the worthless overloads came with the camper package.



Scott

The overloads on a 2nd. never come into contact until the vehicle is overloaded. Mine had the "overload slap" and I pulled them. The overloads on the 3rds. coupled with Lorenz's bumpstop extensions work immediately and can be removed quickly upon removing the camper or load. Best of two worlds. Unfortunately,overloads are not available on 3rd 2500's.

 

[hackengineering]

For these people that have pulled them is anyone wanting to get rid of them. Shipping would be costly i know but it might be cheaper than other options for me.

Thanks

CH

 

[SMorneau]

I like my overloads. You never have to check air pressure, they don't leak, there always there when you need them.

My airbags don't leak. They only need to be adjusted when you change loads or desire a handling improvement. The stock overloads on my 96 WERE NOT there when I needed them! They did not come into play until I had at least 2,500# in the bed and the truck needed help long before that with a top heavy load, curvy or rough roads, or just keeping the alignment and headlights aimed with lesser loads. The factory overloads also allow for no side to side differences. The best thing I could say about the factory overloads is they add a little weight for winter driving.



Cheston, I cut mine off but I think I know someone who has a set from an 01 that are intact, I will relay your request. You will need the spring leaves, the spacer blocks, and maybe longer U-bolts. As you can tell I would recommend you forget them and install the airbags.

 

[EricBu12]

I have the roadmaster Coil spring from Mr Bob's dist.



they have a slight preload on them from the start like airbags do and are progressive when more weight is added. . they feel sorta like airbags but there is no adjustment needed an no maintenance.



Slips under the U-bolts on top of the main spring and hooks on the rear hanger. as weight is put on the truck, it stretches the coil spring... I have a 36, 5th and 2800# pin and truck sits level.

 

[Bob4x4]

I have the roadmaster Coil spring from Mr Bob's dist.



they have a slight preload on them from the start like airbags do and are progressive when more weight is added. . they feel sorta like airbags but there is no adjustment needed an no maintenance.



Slips under the U-bolts on top of the main spring and hooks on the rear hanger. as weight is put on the truck, it stretches the coil spring... I have a 36, 5th and 2800# pin and truck sits level.

Eric,Make sure you have the new style roadmasters. The original design was prone to breaking and can cut a tire when they come apart. Call Bob if you have any doubts on which you have.



Bob

 

[Grizzly]

My airbags don't leak. They only need to be adjusted when you change loads or desire a handling improvement. The stock overloads on my 96 WERE NOT there when I needed them! They did not come into play until I had at least 2,500# in the bed and the truck needed help long before that with a top heavy load, curvy or rough roads, or just keeping the alignment and headlights aimed with lesser loads. The factory overloads also allow for no side to side differences. The best thing I could say about the factory overloads is they add a little weight for winter driving.







We'll have to agree to disagree. This is my second DRW with overloads and I like them. I've never had air bags, but I've heard too many horror stories about them, like too many thing that can go wrong. Nothing goes wrong with overloads. If air bags were so great, why are they not standard equipped on trucks. There not even an option.

 

[Grizzly]

My airbags don't leak. They only need to be adjusted when you change loads or desire a handling improvement. The stock overloads on my 96 WERE NOT there when I needed them! They did not come into play until I had at least 2,500# in the bed and the truck needed help long before that with a top heavy load, curvy or rough roads, or just keeping the alignment and headlights aimed with lesser loads. The factory overloads also allow for no side to side differences. The best thing I could say about the factory overloads is they add a little weight for winter driving.







WHY are airbags not standard equipment on any truck if they are so great? WHY are they not an option on any truck?

 

[SMorneau]

Why is (fill in the blank) not standard equipment?

Why is (fill in the blank) not optional equipment?

Why would you expect me to answer questions like this? I agree we can disagree on this but I think trying to invoke the infinite wisdom of the corporate world as part of your arguement is pretty weak. Thanks for amusing me I have to go check my airbags now:-laf



Scott

 

[Wiredawg]

Baja Bob:

The 3rd Gen single rear wheel w/ overloads is a 3500 SRW. Only about $900 diff between them. I wanted to get my wife an 03 3500 HO 48RE instead of the 2500, but you couldn't find 'em. One of these days, I'm gonna put some Hellwig overloads on her 2500.



All:

I know lots of folks have great success with air bags and I did too. I have an airbag story to share: I had a 2000 2500 LB QC 4x4 that I towed my 17K lb 5er with. I added Air Lift air bags to it and argured on the TDR I had made a SRW 1 ton. Later, I decided to trade the 2500 for my 02 3500. I stripped the 2500 prior to trading it. while removing the air bag brakets, I found the bottom rear bolts of the upper bracket on both sides had sheered and were held in place in a bind. I figured if I would have been in a curve in a constuction zone or rough road and it failed, I could have had a train wreck. My 3500 sits level with the 5er hitched all with stock suspension.



Eventually, I'm going to get a used FL-60 that is really rated to tow the 5er.



Cheers, Wiredawg

 

[BTowler]

I can't speak for anyone else, but my springs hit the overloads rather quickly, say 700-800 pounds, after that it takes a lot of weight to sag the rear of the truck any more. I just had 1600 pounds of wood in the bed and it rode level.

 

[Bob4x4]

WHY are airbags not standard equipment on any truck if they are so great? WHY are they not an option on any truck?

If you look at the trend today,the oem,s are being forced to take all responsibility away from the operators. After the explorer tire/rollover fiascco the lawmakers decided to mandate tire pressure monitoring. Now in 08 we are all forced to pay for Ford/firestone's issues. If airbags were available I know they would have to be computer controled:-laf. Previously all the airbag brackets were very cheesy and I too have seen many fail. Now there is a good alternative. Quality bags and safe strong brackets. #ad


You will have to use the correct pressure to get the desired results,no computer here... ... .....



Bob