What do I need???

[RJOL]

Just ordered a new 3500 4X4 and the first thing I need to do is a "spring-over" on my 96 Alpenlite. This thing sits 60" off the ground at the top of the bed rail on the back corner. My current 2500 4X4 sits 57" off the ground, and with the 5th wheel loaded, it has just under 6" clearance on the rail.



Any "horror stories" about doing a spring over? What do I have to look out for? I will have this done at a professional shop ($350+-).



I will be looking for a 15K hitch, and would like some recommendations that will work on my 2005 (bolt on - no drill) and would like to keep it simple (read "inexpensive") If I towed all the time, I would buy one of the fancy ones, but a standard hitch, that tilts side to side, should work fine.



Any other suggestions? Thanks...

 

[Matt400]

Any other suggestions?

What about a taller tire for the trailer and take out the OE spacers that are between the rear axle and leaf spring on the truck. ?

 

[klenger]

Here are the instructions for lowering the back end of the truck as Matt suggested. I am very happy with the results on mine. No cost and can be switched back easily.



My 5er was built with the axles "flipped" and also 16" wheels and tires. I have about 8-9" of clearance.

 

[RJOL]

Klenger...



Thanks for the input. My trailer already has 16" tires on it and any larger tire might cause clearance problems, and the net gain would be very little.



I know about the 2nd gens lowering the truck and talked to the lead mechanic at the dealer. First this is not a TSB for 3rd gens. He said that did not recommend changing the spring spacer set up as the 3rd gens already have had some driveline angle problems (vibration, differential, transfer case, etc) and this would make the problem worse. He may have been just blowing smoke, but he had no dog in the hunt and even with this mod I would gain under 2" difference. He said he used to work at a custom shop and they did a lot of mods like this on the 2nd gens. As I said in my post, my 2001 4X4 sits 57" off the ground at the back corner, and I was able to tow without problems, but I was concerned that my clearance was just under 6" and most people recommend 6" or more minimum. While a "spring over" may not be the ideal setup, I think I'll go this route, as that should give me a little over 4" change in trailer height... .

 

[klenger]

I didn't mean to suggest that you shoudn't do the spring over mod, just wanted to point out other possibilities. I also found that my 04. 5 3500 (w/ overload springs) settles more than my 01. 5 2500 (with overload spings) did, so that helps too.



As far as the problem of lowering the truck causing drive-line problems, in looking at the design of the rear axle, it was obvious that the slip joint in the rear drive shaft must have enough travel to allow the truck to settle all the way to the rubber bumpers on the axle shaft. Also, lowering the truck reduces the drive line angle, not make it steaper, so that should not be a problem. I have not heard of anyone who has removed the spacers haveing any problems associated with the mod.



I hope it all works out well for you.

 

[RJOL]

I didn't mean to suggest that you shoudn't do the spring over mod, just wanted to point out other possibilities. I also found that my 04. 5 3500 (w/ overload springs) settles more than my 01. 5 2500 (with overload spings) did, so that helps too.



As far as the problem of lowering the truck causing drive-line problems, in looking at the design of the rear axle, it was obvious that the slip joint in the rear drive shaft must have enough travel to allow the truck to settle all the way to the rubber bumpers on the axle shaft. Also, lowering the truck reduces the drive line angle, not make it steaper, so that should not be a problem. I have not heard of anyone who has removed the spacers haveing any problems associated with the mod.



I hope it all works out well for you.

The 04 settling more then you 01 is interesting. Was your 01 a 4X4 QC LB?



About the other issue of drivegear angles... I don't have a real answer. If lots of guys have done it without problems, then maybe it's not the problem the tech said it could be. I agree with your assessment of the angle decreasing with the mod and load, but I'm not an expert in suspensions. Thanks for the info...

 

[RJOL]

One of the reasons I mentioned the possible problems of modifying the rear spring pack is because of this thread:



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=117466&page=1&pp=15



I will definitely test drive my 2005 when in arrives...

 

[RJOL]

... I didn't mean to suggest that you shoudn't do the spring over mod, just wanted to point out other possibilities. I also found that my 04. 5 3500 (w/ overload springs) settles more than my 01. 5 2500 (with overload spings) did, so that helps too...

Klenger... I went to my local RV shop and to my surprise he suggested that I wait until I try the 5th wheel loaded on the new 3500. He agrees with you that he thinks it will settle to at least where my old 2500 4X4 was. He said if you have over 5" of clearance, at the bed rails, you should be alright for most normal driving conditions. I have about 5 3/4" with my 2500. I respect a tech that says things like "he be glad to charge me $350 to do a spring over, but he thinks I may be wasting my money. " Very refreshing...

 

[Matt400]

He said that did not recommend changing the spring spacer set up as the 3rd gens already have had some driveline angle problems (vibration, differential, transfer case, etc) and this would make the problem worse. He may have been just blowing smoke

He was. . because those spacers are not tapered and when you load a truck with them (enough weight to squash the bed down 1. 25") the angle will be the same as an unloaded truck with the spacers removed.

 

[TKingsbury]

One of the reasons I mentioned the possible problems of modifying the rear spring pack is because of this thread:



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=117466&page=1&pp=15



I will definitely test drive my 2005 when in arrives...

While I didn't read every page of that thread, 2 guys on page one mentioned the front driveshaft. One said problem went away with it removed, other guy said new driveshaft cured his problem. I wouldn't think you'd have any issue working on the rear. The best thing to do when lifting or lowering a vehicle is to check the u-joint angles before the work and make sure they're right after. Just my . 02

Travis. .