wiggles n wooffers
East Bay, CA
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Thank you for all your detailed answers.
Do any of you know of a reputable suspension shop in the San Francisco Bay area that has the ability, or the knowledge base for the recommended modifications listed above i.e adding leaf springs etc.
Eric
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Moomba2002
Sebastopol, CA
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I had mine done at a sping shop in Vacaville and he has done quite a few of them and his work was very good. I will look it up and post his info for you.
1999 Ford F350 DRW 4X4 PSD 6spd.
Banks Stinger Package
Fords upgraded Air Intake System
ExtremeAire 150 PSI 100% Duty Cyle on board air w/4gal. tank
Air Bags & Rancho 9000's
2003 Arctic Fox 1150 loaded except solor
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SoCalDesertRider
SanDiego, CA, USA
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Bruceter wrote:SoCal, thanks for the insight on the weight distribution on the fore and aft of the COG. I'm not questioning your knowledge in any way, but I find it hard to think that a vehicle squating in the back and a vehicle sitting level of the same weight, that the vehicle squating wouldn't have less of that weight on the front axle and more on the back?
I think I screwed up my figures in the earlier post with my conversion from kg's to lb's
And I do plan on a weight distribution hitch for the trailer.
Again thanks for the insight!
Bruce The angle of squat would have to be extreme, like 30* (degrees) or more, to make any significant difference in the axle weight distribution. Less than 5* out of level is not going to make any measurable difference at all.
05E350 6.0PSD
97F350DRW 7.3PSD 4x4 4.10 11' flatbed
98Ranger
69Bronco ATC250R CR500
20' BigTex flatbed carhauler
Callen Camper
92F350 CrewCab 4x4 351/C6
B&W TurnoverBall, Curt Magnum V
HD Springs Bilsteins,
285/75-16E BFG AT on 16x8 Stocktons
4.56's & LockRite rear
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wiggles n wooffers
East Bay, CA
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I see most of the recomadations are for adding a leaf spring.
Would a simpler solution be to use a superspring or similar product/
What are your thoughts on this?
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SoCalDesertRider
SanDiego, CA, USA
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wiggles n wooffers wrote:I see most of the recomadations are for adding a leaf spring.
Would a simpler solution be to use a superspring or similar product/
What are your thoughts on this? As far as do it yourself installation is concerned, yes, using a Super Spring or Helwig helper spring, or Roadmaster helper spring, any other aftermarket helper spring kit that clamps over the existing springs would be simpler than adding a leaf to the main spring pack, or doubling up the overload leafs.
I don't really like the aftermarket kits that clamp a helper leaf or coil spring on top of the truck's original springs. I see those as rather hokey looking, band-aid type solutions. Same thing with air bags or Timbrens.
Adding a regular spring leaf to the main spring pack, or doubling up the factory overload leafs, are both very clean professional installs, look factory stock, and perform just like a heavier duty factory leaf pack, or heavier duty factory overload pack, as if the truck was originally built that way by the manufacturer.
When the manufacturers offer a heavier duty front or rear suspension option (such as the camper package or plow package options), or build a heavier duty model truck (F350 cab/chassis vs F250 pickup, for example), this is exactly how they do it. They use heavier duty spring packs with more leafs, or thicker leafs, or use multi-leaf overload packs, or any combination thereof.
You don't see the manufacturers producing trucks with hokey looking spring kits clamped to the main springs of a lighter duty model truck to make it a heavier duty model, or adding rubber bumper springs, or air bladders, etc. They do it right and use properly rated leaf spring packs rated to the capacity they spec for the truck.
That is the route I took. Three of my trucks have new, heavier duty leaf packs on them. My F350SRW has 4300 lb 7-leaf packs, plus the original overload leaf up top. The new springs replaced the original 5-leaf packs, which were rated in the 2500-3000 lb range each.
My F350DRW has heavier duty 10 or 11 leaf main packs and about 5-leaf overload packs (I don't remember the exact numbers). These new packs replace the original main and overload packs, which had less leaves in each pack, I think 8 mains and 3 overloads.
My Ranger has heavier duty 5-leaf packs, which replace the original 3-leaf packs.
If you look under any of my trucks, the springs all look completely factory stock. Unless you knew what was there originally, you can't tell there's anything different, except there are more leafs in each pack and each leaf is a little thicker than the originals. I like it this way. 
* This post was
edited 02/07/12 05:15am by SoCalDesertRider *
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wiggles n wooffers
East Bay, CA
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Went to local suspension shop today for info.
Their advice was to go with "supersprings" as they are only being used when vehicle is weighted down, and results in no loss of unladen ride comfort.
I know it's a truck but I don't want to feel like I am driving a semi when not using camper.
Any thoughts on this?
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Moomba2002
Sebastopol, CA
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When they built mine they didn't touch the main springs just built a new overload pack. The reason I like this as it doesn't raise the unloaded ride height of the truck and it doesn't change the empty ride. Supersprings will raise the truck about an 1-1/2" when unloaded. I have had all of the add-ons from air bags and Timbrens and I also tried the Roadmaster Active Suspension. I like the spring pack out of all of them. Looking to possibly add my air bags back on just for some side to side leveling.
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SoCalDesertRider
SanDiego, CA, USA
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Joined: 12/14/2003
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wiggles n wooffers wrote:Went to local suspension shop today for info.
Their advice was to go with "supersprings" as they are only being used when vehicle is weighted down, and results in no loss of unladen ride comfort.
I know it's a truck but I don't want to feel like I am driving a semi when not using camper.
Any thoughts on this? If you add a leaf to the overloads, it won't affect the empty ride at all.
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elkhornsun
Monterey
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Joined: 11/29/2011
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I opted for SuperSprings to actually add to the dynamic load capacity of the truck without limiting travel. Sumo Springs have only a 2-year warranty which leads me to think that they are not going to hold up in the long run. Air bags can also fail and need air added for a load whereas the SuperSprings are out of the way until needed to carry the load.
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mooring product
Pompano Beach Florida
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Joined: 05/08/2011
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Moomba2002 wrote:When they built mine they didn't touch the main springs just built a new overload pack. The reason I like this as it doesn't raise the unloaded ride height of the truck and it doesn't change the empty ride. Supersprings will raise the truck about an 1-1/2" when unloaded. I have had all of the add-ons from air bags and Timbrens and I also tried the Roadmaster Active Suspension. I like the spring pack out of all of them. Looking to possibly add my air bags back on just for some side to side leveling.
What truck and do you have pictures?
2003 F250 CC SB 6.0 Diesel. ARP studs. EGR delete. NOS. GT 4088 Turbo. Stable loads.
2006 Lance 881 Max.
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