2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Suspension Questions

[Demon Dodge]

I have seen some discussion about sagging springs on 4X4's what about us 2wd's? I am rebuilding the suspension on my 97 club cab dually and wanted to put heavier duty springs front and rear. I was told at the dealer they had no listings for springs by weight rating only a code found on the tag of my existing springs. Have any of you upgraded your springs to carry more load? If so do you have any part numbers or weight ratings?

Thanks, Rod

 

[redram]

I was dissatisfied with the stock 8800 lbs springs when I bought my 96 2wd dually. They were definitely softer than my 1 ton single wheel 89 CTD.



I found a cab and chassis 4X4 that had been wrecked and bought the rear springs with overloads. These were rated at 11,000 lbs and are stiffer.



Had to have u-bolts made as with the added leaf and overloads, the stock u-bolts were too short and the 4X4 u-bolts were 4 inches too long.



You're right about us 2wd guys. I think Energy Suspension finally offers upgraded poly bushings.



By the way, the leaf springs were a bolt in affair from the 95 Cab and Chassis to my 96.



Other option is to take your truck to a truck spring shop and have an added leaf put in. Should be about the same cost $300 that it cost to changeout the stock ones. Ended up getting maybe 75 for the OE ones in late 96 early '97.

 

[Matt42]

I used to routinely add a leaf to all four springs on my full size Jeeps (FSJs). Tht made a marvelous difference. My last one (which I sorely miss, save for the 6 mpg) was a 1983 full size Wagoneer Limited Adding a full length leaf, shackle to shackle, stiffened the ride and made the handling much more predictable.

 

[Demon Dodge]

Anyone have parts numbers or codes? The dealer can't look them up by application

 

[KcoleKennyc]

I've been trying to get spring numbers for months for my 98. 5 3500, 2wd. Ran into the same thing from the dealer, but they did tell me that springs fit from '97-'02. I had installed a NV5600 and it was over double the weight of the NV4500. Also had about 200K miles and the front end sat too low. After I found that the newer springs would fit, I knew where an '01 was that came equiped with the heavier trans. and it sat up very well in the front. I slid under the truck and removed the tag, ordered the new coils, and will install them this week. My original coils were #52039075. The better ones are #52113006AA and list for $106. 00 each. The best I could measure with a caliper, they were . 060 larger coils. The '01 truck sat over an inch higher than mine and had 215 tires where mine are 235's. This should do the job on the front, I'm waiting for some bushings and shocks so I can rebuild the front end. Was going to replace the ball joints but found the bushings bad so I will replace it all at one time. Don't have any info on the rears, mine has the helper springs and will tote a good load. If you know how or where to find the # on them, I will be glad to look for it. Good luck. Kenny N4YYX

 

[Demon Dodge]

Thanks Kenny this is just what I was looking for. Perhaps the rear springs on the 01 are heavier duty also?

Thanks again, Rod

 

[Demon Dodge]

KCOLE did you ever put those springs on your truck? the dealer here is telling me the 01-02 springs won't fit. If he is wrong I have a friend that just bought an 02 with 6sp and camper package it has more leaves and thicker coils than my truck. I can get the part numbers by running the VIN at the dealer.

Let me know what you found, Rod

 

[fox]

You guys can go to fritz'z ram tech to get spring specc's.

dodgeram.org/tech/springs.htm

Hope the tags are still on your factoy springs.

 

[csutton7]

I think the springs off a like year 4x4 would work without any probs--chris

 

[Demon Dodge]

Thanks FOX but those are 4X4 springs.