Rear springs and overloads for '99--07 F350

[Marcela]

My dually truck has the 5+1 spring pack with the +1 being an overload, rawr is 8250.

I have the Hellwig 3500# spring pack sitting here, to use it the tech told me I have to remove the overload spring and brackets. Removing the front bracket looks to be a pita as it is riveted, the rear bracket is bolted so no probem. Also removing the overload spring takes away from the carrying capacity of course so whatever it is rated for has to be subracted from the 3500# added by the installed springs.

I also have the Hellwig overload springs sitting here, rated at 2200# which can be added on top of the existing overload, easy peasy. Tech said these springs will of course engage the overloads sooner.

So question is who has experience with this combo adding additional spring capacity and how did it turn out. My camper is going to be in the 4500# range I imagine, with addition of trailer possible.

Maybe another brand has a better solution?

I am guessing if the 3500# spring pack is installed the reason the overload brackets have to be removed as they can engage the spring pack relieving the tension on the brackets at the ends of the springs with possible dire consequences. Though the brackets appear to be quite a ways away from the present springs and with the 3500# springs tightened down they might and might not engage the brackets.

Would like to have all the spring I can install. And don't really want to remove the present OEM spring pack as that looks to be a chore, but it is possible.

[Marcela]

Okay, so got the 10.4 loaded today, it is still empty without the generator and rear steps and any other survival gear.

With the 4400# springs, the F350 CC DRW '01 truck sits almost level, just like a third of a level bubble off with nose down attitude. Overload springs are still a good inch and maybe a half from touching the bumpers.

I'd say it was well worth the effort. Installed a big wig hellwig bar also. Still have the hellwig overload springs that are rated for 2200#, going to wait and do some driving til I decide if they are needed. That is 2200# total btw, so 500# a leaf. I have the option of adding one or both. When you buy the spring pack to replace the oem springs they are rated per side. fyi.

I'll report back on the test drive. I'd expect when loaded and lightweight trailer the truck should be in level flight.

The bigfoot looks pretty good on the old ford. About 3-4" between cab and overhang, 2.5" between bedrail and wings, little over an inch between tail lights and overhang. Probably designed back when the older beds were prevalent and fit better.

For guidance on the springs if you look at what is OEM from ford and chevy and dodge, available for the camper certs or what is recommended max slide in camper, and what the spring pack is rated for, then use your judgement whatever makes you feel good.

I did get to drive the truck empty for a little bit, with the longer wheel base the ride is not too bad with the stiffer springs.

[Marcela]

The spring install wasn't near as hard as I thought it was going to be. The first spring was out within 30', after that I dilly dallied and took more time. The install was a little different, the springs are heavy, using a 5 gal. bucket gets it to the height then the slide in isn't too bad. The large bolts all came out easy and slid right in. Low mileage trucks are nice.

I left the wheels off and put floor jacks under the frame, then smaller jacks under the axle, floor jack under the pumpkin for adjustment. The guy who told me to leave the wheels on had a bumper air jack. Also had to buy u bolts an inch longer for the added springs, 5/8" x 28" with nuts as they are fine thread, oem is coarse, and washers.

Have a larger sway bar that I have to decide whether to install. The drivers side frame rail bolt is adjacent to the fuel tank so it is going to be tricky getting it out and installing the other adjuster that works with the hellwig that bolts vertically through the bar, the oem bolts horizontally.

Remember kids, the more spring you have the larger your *****.

[mountainkowboy]

Kayteg1 wrote:
I guess members read too many topics about others spending thousands of dollars for suspension and wheels modification in order to carry their heavy camper that makes them jumping into conclusion with checking what they have.
Just like "red" in picture above, my dually carries very heavy camper with no modification. The squat is minimal and actually it still leans forward. When I want the camper on truck level, I need to put 2-3" under front wheels.

If you look close in my pic you can see the ramps under my front wheels to get level also...

[Marcela]

Just to verify, the +1 is the flat thick bar on the bottom, not really a spring, used to keep everything from coming up through the floorboard.

Looking forward to a good tussle.

[Grit_dog]

Guessing those springs will be very stout and accomplish what you are surmising you’re going to need to do, but what made you think the old springs are “tired”?

Just talking here, but I’ve either been responsible for or been around 1000s of pickup trucks , a lot of which get beat like a rented mule almost daily, and haven’t seen any trucks that got tired in recent years.

[jaycocreek]

Interesting on the spring packs..Seems to ad about 500# per leaf/spring..Mine are 5+1 rated at 7741/3870..

Good to know..

[Bedlam]

Thanks for the insight. I was torn between a heavier spring pack or adjustable modifications on my previous truck and chose the latter only because of unloaded comfort. I know I could have spent less time and money just replacing the spring pack if the truck was always loaded. Please continue with the feedback as you progress.

[Marcela]

Went over to the warehouse today. The springs are actually made either in NJ or Mex I was told.

The springs on my truck are actually 4+1, not 5+1 as I believed, the overload is not considered into the equation. So the springs on the truck are actually 3300# rated as per the SD spring or GS spring website. I picked up the 6+1 spring pack rated at 4400#, vs. the OEM 4+1 rated at 3300#. About an inch difference in thickness. I'm sure I'll be much happier with the higher rated springs.

I was also advised to change the springs with the tires bolted on and raise the frame vs. my thinking of leaving the tires off with the axle on stands and raising the frame. Told me much easier to handle the axle on tires chocked then on jack stands.

[Kayteg1]

I guess members read too many topics about others spending thousands of dollars for suspension and wheels modification in order to carry their heavy camper that makes them jumping into conclusion with checking what they have.
Just like "red" in picture above, my dually carries very heavy camper with no modification. The squat is minimal and actually it still leans forward. When I want the camper on truck level, I need to put 2-3" under front wheels.

[ticki2]

Hard to believe you need anything with a one ton duallyfor that weight with the exception of bump stops to engage overloads sooner, or an extra leaf in the overload spring.Have you tried it yet with nothing added ?

[Bedlam]

burningman wrote:

Bedlam wrote:
The Hellwig overloads are tired to the main spring pack and the frame mounted brackets may interfere with their use.

Oh do you mean the kind that clamp on at the outer edges with big square U-bolts around the leaf springs?

Yes. I should have just attached an image, but was on my phone earlier:

[GeoBoy]

Marcela wrote:
i think that is what I'm going to do. The present spring pack is rated for 3600#, 5+1. I couldn't figure out why it is rated for 8250, think Ford doesn't take into account the axle/wheels which is probably 1000k lbs.

There is a 6+1 that is rated for 4400#. The people who make them for hdtruck springs are about 40' from my place, called general spring in kansas city. Think I'll ride over tomorrow and take a look at their operation, says they have a large inventory so maybe they have them already made up. Then use the oem overload and maybe stack the hellwig overloads on top if needed.

The axle and wheels are not carried by the truck, they are carrying the truck. Their weight does not factor into the spring pack.

[burningman]

Bedlam wrote:
The Hellwig overloads are tired to the main spring pack and the frame mounted brackets may interfere with their use.

Oh do you mean the kind that clamp on at the outer edges with big square U-bolts around the leaf springs?

[mountainkowboy]

Red carries a 4,500lb S&S on her back with no mods other than upper stableloads and bilsteins. She carries it well and it drops her 2" with the TC on her back and still has a rake.

[Bedlam]

The Hellwig overloads are tired to the main spring pack and the frame mounted brackets may interfere with their use.