Next suspension mod

[Vinsil]

Ok, I need more help in the rear of my truck.

So far, have lower stableloads and now 19.5's with 285 Michlins.

Having never been a fan of airbags, searching for an upper solutions to get my truck level again.

Timbrens?
Supersprings?
Sumo springs?
Airbags?

I don't like to mess around and do things twice. Besides brake upgrade, I am hoping this will be it for my truck and be happy. Thanks all!

[wvabeer]

I use Firestone air springs on my F150. I think they work great, a great ride in my opinion.

[Vinsil]

zcookiemonstar wrote:
Why would you want to start adding "helpers" to your suspension without knowing the condition of yours first? If your truck is a 2007 that is a lot of years on springs if they have been heavily used. The guy at the spring shop told me he gets a lot of trucks with a cracked leaf and people don't even notice. He said it often cracks at the center pin where it is hard to see. I just had a leaf added on my truck and I was surprised my truck actually had a better ride with no load. I have not tried it with a load yet. It does sit a little higher.
I would start with a good spring shop before anything else.

I have a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 with the overload spring. I think it is part of the camper package in my year.

While I agree, this truck is ok in that department. Bought from original owner , it never hauled or towed until me. I bought it with 60k on it, now has 82k and just put on new shocks and did a through check. I'm maticulus with my vehicles.

The springs are not weak or broke, I'm hauling a substantial amount of weight for a 3/4 ton.

[Grodyman]

Vinsil wrote:

Reddog1 wrote:
I have Timbrens on the front of my '96 Dodge. They do what I wanted, but if it were an option, I would prefer airbags. I appreciate the adjust-ability of the airbags. I hope not to need them on my 3500, but only because I am cheap.

LOL...well I committed to this truck so.....what is another few hundred bucks? My wife is not amused anymore. :S


Bags it is, I'm done thinking about it. Anything else you want to spend my money on? J/K!!!!

Good choice. Stay away from Timbrens for the rear. Front Timbrens are pretty good.

[ticki2]

Here are some bolt on upper overloads if that is of interest .
http://www.stengelbros.net/Helper-Kits--Leaf-Spring_c_13.html

[zcookiemonstar]

Why would you want to start adding "helpers" to your suspension without knowing the condition of yours first? If your truck is a 2007 that is a lot of years on springs if they have been heavily used. The guy at the spring shop told me he gets a lot of trucks with a cracked leaf and people don't even notice. He said it often cracks at the center pin where it is hard to see. I just had a leaf added on my truck and I was surprised my truck actually had a better ride with no load. I have not tried it with a load yet. It does sit a little higher.
I would start with a good spring shop before anything else.

I have a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 with the overload spring. I think it is part of the camper package in my year.

[Vinsil]

Reddog1 wrote:
In my opinion, an anti-sway bar, airbags, and stiff sidewalls will provide the best road manors. I am hoping my new to me DRW with upper and lower overloads will change my mind. If you are sensitive to shocks, which I am not, then go adjustable. As for spending your money, I really would not want to be without my rear camera. I am exceptionally pleased it is not wireless, been there and done that. I really appreciate my camera anytime I have my TC loaded. Fantastic in parking lots.

I hope your right. I'd love to do a sway bar and be DONE...have new shocks, not adjustable but love my bilsteins.

Funny you mention camera...added one to my rear plate mount via my Edge CTS...can't use it now!lol...but did love it.

fyi, bags ordered.

[Reddog1]

In my opinion, an anti-sway bar, airbags, and stiff sidewalls will provide the best road manors. I am hoping my new to me DRW with upper and lower overloads will change my mind. If you are sensitive to shocks, which I am not, then go adjustable. As for spending your money, I really would not want to be without my rear camera. I am exceptionally pleased it is not wireless, been there and done that. I really appreciate my camera anytime I have my TC loaded. Fantastic in parking lots.

[Vinsil]

Reddog1 wrote:
I have Timbrens on the front of my '96 Dodge. They do what I wanted, but if it were an option, I would prefer airbags. I appreciate the adjust-ability of the airbags. I hope not to need them on my 3500, but only because I am cheap.

LOL...well I committed to this truck so.....what is another few hundred bucks? My wife is not amused anymore. :S


Bags it is, I'm done thinking about it. Anything else you want to spend my money on? J/K!!!!

[Reddog1]

I have Timbrens on the front of my '96 Dodge. They do what I wanted, but if it were an option, I would prefer airbags. I appreciate the adjust-ability of the airbags. I hope not to need them on my 3500, but only because I am cheap.

[Vinsil]

I think I will just on some bags or timbrens until I can sort out the overload upper, it cant hurt to have more options in the end.

Seems the timbrens are $182 shipped and bags are $280 shipped and a fifty dollar rebate. Now this isn't about money, just showing how close these two options are.

Then augment with either upper overloads or supers if I can't make it work. Solid plan?

[Reddog1]

Personally, I would go with the airbags.

Wayne

[Vinsil]

will have to dig deeper on this..might be an option if I can find the correct parts.

[pcoplin]

Vinsil wrote:


Do your perches bolt on the frame? Co-worker of mine has an 06' 3500 and his perches are welded on from the factory. If I could bolt factory hardware on, I'd love to.

The Ford perches are bolted/rivetted on. I'm wondering if you can use them with the Dodge spring and bumpers?

[Reddog1]

I will have to look at my perches. I have only had the truck for a few weeks, so I am still learning about it.

Years ago, I bought a set of overload springs from a auto wrecking yard. They were Cambrea brand as I recall. I bought bolt on upper perches new for the springs. They were bolt on. My point is, there are probably aftermarket bolt on springs available.