Spring Questions

[tugboatphil]

In a recent post, someone recommended getting the leaf springs rearched. Who does this, machine shops? Is this a dependable fix (would they flatten out again in a short period of time?) How does it price against new springs.



Secondly, I've heard several people mention Softride springs. Is this a brand name, or a type of spring? What are the advantages and disadvantages?



I noticed recently that my leafs don't appear to have much arch at all. According the the previous owner, the first owner towed a horse trailer and he towed his stock car. I've had it loaded past the bed rails with fresh cut red oak and it dropped the mudflaps about 2 inches. I never thought to look underneath.



Anyone?

 

[desertrat1]

Softride springs are lifted leaf packs made by Skyjacker Suspension. They are good quality and don't seem to sag. Some say they ride better than stock leafs. Not sure if they will work on the rear of a 2WD truck though.

 

[bgilbert]

In a recent post, someone recommended getting the leaf springs rearched. Who does this, machine shops?

A spring/alignment shop. The spring shop I went to does everything from big rig to pickup truck springs brakes alignment etc. You might look for a similar shop. They could even build you a set of leafs if wanted.

Is this a dependable fix (would they flatten out again in a short period of time?)

Some may say not, that they will flatten out, but so will new springs. Mine have not dropped at all after about a year with a bunch of big loads of wood, brick, gravel etc. I only had my front leafs rearched. Also depends on the quality of the work done or if you do it yourself, you can buy an add a leaf, if you have the shop do it, tell them you want the thickest highest load carrying [if you're looking for least flattening after heavy loads] leaf- they add one or more leaves to your spring pack, may remove any broken leaves.

How does it price against new springs.

Last I checked EACH rear leaf spring pack/side from dealer - near $200 EACH SIDE. Add a leaf KIT and do it yourself, your looking less than $100 for the kit and then $20-$30 for new u-bolts since your gonna want to use new ones after. Shop rate, $250-350 for the add a leaf job front or rear. Plus if you get 12 month or 12k mile warranty in some cases, if your not happy with the height or they sag, take it back in, they rearch them again no charge. - at least in my case they did.

-Aftermarket lift/softride springs are for the one that wants a 1/2 ton pickup ride and 1/2ton pu load carrying capacity. They don't have the load carrying capacity so if you USE your truck then, I'd suggest the add a leaf, DO NOT buy new leafs, definately don't buy new leafs from Whitneys as I did for rear, bad move. Plus after the add a leaf, your truck has more load carrying blah blah etc. Instead of 7 rear leaves now ya got 8 ... . or...

 

[MMiller]

The ones on the rear of my truck do not have much arch at all. My truck also came with factory overloads. The truck would drop about 2" until the overloads touched, when it was loaded. My truck also has the factory 6" block. The dodges have always had pretty flat springs in the rear. These in theory ride better then arched ones anyways. The skyjackers have worked well on my truck, but I got the ones for the front of the truck.



What are you getting at? Do you want better ride? More load carring capacity? Or just wondering?



I have never had springs rearched, prolly wouldn't either, but thats just me. If I ever change the rear springs on my truck I will go with skyjackers softrides, and get rid of some of the lift block. I already have the air lift bags, so I don't really need the overload springs, and I really don't need the huge pack anyways.



Michael

 

[bgilbert]

Michael, when you get ready to ditch the 6"blocks and overloads, if you want to get rid of them, I'm interested...

 

[Philip]

near $200 EACH SIDE

Find a better dealer. Mine told me $148. per side.

 

[tugboatphil]

Thanks for the info. I guess what I'm really wondering is, if the springs don't have any (spring, that is) then am I getting to the point where I'm going to have the load riding on a solid axle? I do use my truck for work 80% of the time. Heavy loads aren't normal, but I never know what I'm going to run across on a job. I have side rail toolboxes, so I can load the bed well past the rails.



Is there a preferred coil replacement for the front end? Can I get one with about 1-2 inches more than stock? Would this create alignment problems?



Thanks.

 

[tugboatphil]

I just took these in the driveway. It just seems to me that my tailgate is pretty low to the ground when it's down (guess I should have lowered it to show that... . dooohh!)



Also have the leafs here. Are those 3 light holes in the frame for an overload bracket?

 

[tugboatphil]

Left side leafs.

 

[tugboatphil]

Right side leafs.

 

[Greenleaf]

There are holes there for the overloads.



-S

 

[JLEONARD]

While I can't comment specifically about Dodge dually springs, I have had had occasions to replace pickup truck springs on 1/2 ton trucks. My son has had even more experience.

We prefer to go with new springs. Re-arched don't seem to last very long.

Also, last couple times I've replaced springs I bought "custom" made ones from a company my son found at one of the Carlile, Pa shows a several years ago (name escapes me but they can't be too hard to find via an internet search).

The springs were the same cost or cheaper than a local shop plus they taylored the springs per what your requirements are.

For me that was always very soft for the first 1/3 or so of capacity, then stiff after that.

So Phil, there's another $ . 02... . now you got about 1/2 a buck's worth of advice.

Jay

 

[cerberusiam]

If a spring is flattened out it is worn out. Its called metal fatigue and re-arching just addresses the symptoms not the cause. Load them the same way that caused the flattening and they will do it again or more often just break. Its a much cheaper fix than new springs but if your load is causing it you will just get to buy new springs later.



Use the Moog 7226s springs for the front end. They will get the truck level and provide a better ride and suspension travel.

 

[MMiller]

Looking at your pics. Mine has overloads on the top. I would have thought that 1 tons would have them factory, but your is 2wd. The spring on the bottom is kind of an overload too. See the gap, then when you load the truck it will drop to this bottom spring and hold more weight.



Kinda wierd how my 3/4 ton has more leafs then your one ton.



I would load it and look, but prolly not worry about it unless it is indeed "bottoming out".





Michael

 

[Philip]

Thats about the same number of rear leafs I have. I do not have overloads on mine. I do know it takes 6k in the bed to level the truck out.



Case500D's W350 has the factory overloads. They are a killer when you load down onto them. Look at stoping every 50 miles for a rest stop. That is on a smooth road to. Cut that by 50% if it is rough.

 

[bgilbert]

Heres 700 bricks in the bed, with junk JC Whitney 7leaf hd springs and 6"blocks. I need overloads.

 

[bgilbert]

If ya look close you can see the bump stop about a 1" or so from the 6"block.

 

[bgilbert]

Sorry dialup one more.

 

[Paychk]

To properly re-arch leaf springs, they must be worked hot and heat treated, that is the only way the spring steel will hold the new arch.

 

[bgilbert]

Alan, that is what was done to my front leafs when I had them rearched, not just an extra leaf added.