overload shocks or helper springs??
Hello, 1999 GMC 1500 Sierra 8400lb towing capacity. Towing 2010 Jayflight 6500lbs. The truck is a 2wh drive so sits a bit low, currently stock shocks on it. I'd like to give just a smidge of lift ...
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IMHO you have to be a bit careful about overload springs and those Timbrens that only come into play when the truck is very heavily loaded. The reason is that your properly adjusted WDH will lift some of that weight off the rear axle so the rear won't be as heavily loaded and the "helper" or "overload" springs won't be as effective.
My truck's rear spring stack has a short, heavy, bottom, "overload" leaf that, when unloaded, doesn't touch the other leafs except at the centre. It only comes into play when the truck is fully loaded. But when I tighten up the WDH fully, this short leaf is barely touching the others. I'm sure it has some effect, just not as much as when fully loaded.
So if you want something to stiffen the suspension even when using the WDH, you may need something that operates across a range of loads, medium to heavy. Typically these will raise the rear of the truck and stiffen normal, unloaded driving. You can add an extra, regular (not "overload") leaf to the spring pack. I added Roadmaster Active Suspension (RAS).
Adjustable Bags are really nice as you can reduce their effect when unloaded and precisely adjust them to your load.
With any of these, be sure to adjust the WDH (reduce front end lift by 50-100%) after you've modified the suspension.
My truck's rear spring stack has a short, heavy, bottom, "overload" leaf that, when unloaded, doesn't touch the other leafs except at the centre. It only comes into play when the truck is fully loaded. But when I tighten up the WDH fully, this short leaf is barely touching the others. I'm sure it has some effect, just not as much as when fully loaded.
So if you want something to stiffen the suspension even when using the WDH, you may need something that operates across a range of loads, medium to heavy. Typically these will raise the rear of the truck and stiffen normal, unloaded driving. You can add an extra, regular (not "overload") leaf to the spring pack. I added Roadmaster Active Suspension (RAS).
Adjustable Bags are really nice as you can reduce their effect when unloaded and precisely adjust them to your load.
With any of these, be sure to adjust the WDH (reduce front end lift by 50-100%) after you've modified the suspension.
