Suspension concerns when adding a winch & bumper set-up

[RDThompson]

What effect will adding about 225 pounds of winch and bumper have on the stock springs of my 08' 2500? Do I need to order new coils to go with the added weight? Any first hand knowledge would be helpful.

 

[n7gxz]

On both my old 2001 and my current 2011 I added a Tuff Country 2" leveling kit and dual shocks (Tuff Country 6000 & 8000 series). On my 2011 I have a Buckstop Classic II and Ramsey 15K.

Kevin

 

[cerberusiam]

It is going to affect the ride, stance, and life expectancy of the springs. There is not a lot of overhead in the springs and they have a fairly narrow range of quality operation.

How much the effect is noticed will be totally subjective.

 

[Regcabguy]

www.lorenzindustries.com.
He offers a 2" 23%+ rated spring leveling kit for just such an application.

 

[HGreen]

I added a Trailready front bumper with a 15,000 lb milemaker hydraulic winch to my 2006 2500 CTD, didn't do anything to the front suspension, haven't had any front end issues.

 

[Bob4x4]

I added a Trailready front bumper with a 15,000 lb milemaker hydraulic winch to my 2006 2500 CTD, didn't do anything to the front suspension, haven't had any front end issues.

That just tells me you are not real observant...............

 

[RDThompson]

I believe I'm going to be pro-active and go with either a Lorenz or Icon spring and shock set-up. Forgive the use of the eighties buzz-word please. With the winch and bumper being so far from the center of rotation, it's more like adding several hundred pounds directly over the wheels. I haven't actually done the math because I can't find my slide rule, but I wouldn't be surprised to find the load trebled.
In any case the new springs will also allow carrying my Hi-lift jack and a couple chokers on the bumper as well.
Thanks for the feedback.

 

[CVR222NV]

Just added a Buckstop bumper and a Warn 16,500 lb. winch which added approximately 350 lbs to the front. Also added Bilstein 5160 shocks which helped but you can still really feel the weight. I had a local custom spring shop add new coils that increased the capacity by 650 lbs. and added 1" height. That was a substantial improvement. However, the truck was experiencing wandering before this upgrade and I'm afraid it has only compounded that issue even with the shocks and new coils. I will be doing a complete front end upgrade to try to solve that problem. These trucks already have front end issues and it is my experience that they are greatly amplified by the additional weight of the bumper and winch.

 

[Regcabguy]

I added a Trailready front bumper with a 15,000 lb milemaker hydraulic winch to my 2006 2500 CTD, didn't do anything to the front suspension, haven't had any front end issues.

That's amazing in that just adding a popup camper to mine made it bottom out @ 15 mph on surface streets. My front axle load is 4400# which is probably in line with your QCSB's additional weight stock. Adding that nice Trailready bumper and winch would render a lot of leverage over your frontend.

 

[RDThompson]

I haven't experienced the wandering you speak of, But I am adding new coils and shocks from Lorenz. I am installing basically the same package except I went with the Warn powerplant 12K.
Buckstop has a long lead time so I think I'll be able to get the springs and shocks done prior to mounting the winch.
Have you noticed any significant blockage of air to the intercooler? Since I ordered my bumper unpainted I was thinking of adding a duct or perhaps two to direct air where it needs to be.

 

[Regcabguy]

I haven't experienced the wandering you speak of, But I am adding new coils and shocks from Lorenz. I am installing basically the same package except I went with the Warn powerplant 12K.
Buckstop has a long lead time so I think I'll be able to get the springs and shocks done prior to mounting the winch.
Have you noticed any significant blockage of air to the intercooler? Since I ordered my bumper unpainted I was thinking of adding a duct or perhaps two to direct air where it needs to be.

You'll like those springs. I needed a bit more lift and sold mine to a guy on the east coast with a snowplow. He's pleased.

 

[CVR222NV]

I haven't experienced the wandering you speak of, But I am adding new coils and shocks from Lorenz. I am installing basically the same package except I went with the Warn powerplant 12K.
Buckstop has a long lead time so I think I'll be able to get the springs and shocks done prior to mounting the winch.
Have you noticed any significant blockage of air to the intercooler? Since I ordered my bumper unpainted I was thinking of adding a duct or perhaps two to direct air where it needs to be.

I have not noticed any intercooler issues yet but the temperatures since install have been mild so this summer will probably answer that question.

 

[mfurrh55]

I just put Bilstien air shocks on the front, no problems,Monte

 

[AH64ID]

My front end weight ranges from 4400-5400 depending on loading, winch installed, etc.. The normal weight is around 5040. To be honest I don't notice much at the top end of the weight, but I do at the bottom end (guessing a QC LB has a stiffer spring than a RC LB). I do tend to pay too much attention to the happenings in my truck.

The Bilstein shock I installed last year made a huge improvement in ride quality, thou bottoming out was never really an issue as I have always ran a level kit, 2" for the first 4 years and a 1" since.

My biggest concern about the weight would be accelerated wear or OE balljoints and wheel bearings.

 

[RDThompson]

My front end weight ranges from 4400-5400 depending on loading, winch installed, etc.. The normal weight is around 5040. To be honest I don't notice much at the top end of the weight, but I do at the bottom end (guessing a QC LB has a stiffer spring than a RC LB). I do tend to pay too much attention to the happenings in my truck.

The Bilstein shock I installed last year made a huge improvement in ride quality, thou bottoming out was never really an issue as I have always ran a level kit, 2" for the first 4 years and a 1" since.

My biggest concern about the weight would be accelerated wear or OE ball joints and wheel bearings.

Well, after speaking with Sean Lorenz and a few others, I'm going with Lorenz coils, shocks and extension links. I keep a close eye on the ball joints and wheel bearings. I will doubtless replace them pre-emptively out of an abundance of caution rather than waiting for them to wear out. Once a month I remove my wheels to inspect my brakes and suspension parts. So far nothing evil has presented itself .
If you drive or at least ride in an AH64 then you are familiar with frequent inspection.

 

[cerberusiam]

My biggest concern about the weight would be accelerated wear or OE balljoints and wheel bearings.

That is the consensus of every suspension seller and quite a few bumper sellers. They won't say that outright but pressed they will acknoledge they see accelrated wear with the heavy bumpers. The rougher the roads and the more time spent on them the faster the failure. Pretty pushes the need for better quality BJ's to the forefront every time.

Jus tputting the bumper on and not driving many miles on smooth roads will not show the issues. Use them har dand it will show.

 

[Bob4x4]

You might want to rethink your bumper choice,I am sure Creative Fabworks could build you a better lighter winch bumper.http://creativefabworks.com/

 

[AH64ID]

One thing I haven't been able to find is the limiting part of the front axle, in terms of FAWR. Is it the housing, knuckles, tabs, ball joints. Or wheel bearings?

 

[RDThompson]

You might want to rethink your bumper choice,I am sure Creative Fabworks could build you a better lighter winch bumper.http://creativefabworks.com/

I have already secured my order with Buckstop, I know several people who have them and I like the design and construction. If I had prior knowledge "Creative" I would have investigated their product.

 

[RDThompson]

That is the consensus of every suspension seller and quite a few bumper sellers. They won't say that outright but pressed they will acknoledge they see accelrated wear with the heavy bumpers. The rougher the roads and the more time spent on them the faster the failure. Pretty pushes the need for better quality BJ's to the forefront every time.

Jus tputting the bumper on and not driving many miles on smooth roads will not show the issues. Use them har dand it will show.

Any recommendations on a vendor for ball joints and wheel bearings?