Well I did it! Could not stand my stiff ride and potholes were a nightmare... Pulled the springs and replaced them..The original ones looked just like the new ones??? But the bushings were pretty bad.. used new OEM soft rubber bushing rather than those poly bushing because I was looking for a soft ride...Pulled of the Monroe Sensitracs and put on yellow Bilstiens.. The monroes were so stiff...(high pressure) that only Silvester Stallone could compress them ... The Bilstiens were very soft and easy to compress. That worried me a bit... Put it all together and it lifted the front 1/4 inch at the bump stop and 3/8 inch at the fender well. Goes to show my old springs at 93k miles were not totally worn out..

Here is the big surprise ... This truck rides like a chevy now.
(well almost) I love it... Pot hole are barely noticeable..Today I stopped at a stop lite fast enough to bob the nose down a little and it came back up and then back down to neutral with a nice soft little bob...Just like a Cadillac! It was perfect.. Now for my thoughts
First I am wondering if springs can stiffen or get hard with age..Just a thought
Second I think the bushing were 30% responsible for small bumps on roads..One of the bushings was almost worn though.
Third The front of these things are stiff enough that using a shock that is stiff as a mother does not make sense.. Those Bilstiens are really nice and allow the springs to flex easily.. I think they are 50% of my nice new ride..
Fourth.. I got the spings at a spring shop and he assured me the were OEM replicas..But I am thinking maybe the are moving just a little bit easier I do not know for sure.
Last...If I was doing off road stuff I would probably go for stiffer poly bushings and stiffer Monroe shocks but I just tow... The Dana 60 probably still ride better yet but for around $800 I am very very please with the ride..
Mark

 

Congrats. Thanks for posting you findings.

 

Looking at old and new springs off the vehicle they are going to look pretty much the same. The old springs (OEM) were toast. I know mine were with only 73K. Its the age of the spring with all that weight on them for 12 to 16 years that kills them. You just cant tell by looking at them. I like the poly bushings myself. They didn't decrease ride quality IMHO. I wish I would have gone with the Bilstien shocks though. Got the Rancho 5000. Never again.

It is amazing the difference new springs, shocks and bushings make. Glad it worked well for you!

 

Thanks for posting, was looking for new shocks!

 

Information kept secret is a crime. Lots of guys have helped me so I share what I know..I was thinking age had something to do with those spings...

 

I would definetly like to replace my springs. Just curious, whats a set of springs run? if ya dont mind

 

Somewhere in the $130 - $150 range a spring. Plus u bolts. Generally the stock rubber bushings are included.

 

I think the stock rubber bushing contibute to a better ride while the aftermarket bushings are harder but last longer

 

Glad I found this! I was pretty peeved when I replaced my completely blown shocl absorbers and it did almost NOTHING for ride quality.. Will be buying new springs asap. I have a front helper spring, I can put that back on with the replacements, right?

 

yes you can.
the spring helpers are for ride height and worn springs.
so you can always try it both ways. it will make the front end stiffer.

 

i assume you guys are talking leafs? makes me wounder how worn my coils are

 

This thread gives me some hope. I knew my new-to-me PSD OSB F250 4x4 was going to be a rough ride, but I suspected there was room for improvent. There is less that an inch (what should it be?) of travel to the front bump stops and the bolts through the rubber bushings are visibly mis-located.

I'm planning on stock springs and rubber bushings but am thinking of urethane bushings at the arm pivots.

 

I know I need new springs as well. Was shopping on line for some replacements, $130, no bad. The $300 to ship to me made me hit the floor.

 

I feel for ya Dave. Shipping to me is usually crazy, but I can get stuff shipped to the border and then I go pick it up. Gotta drive 90 miles each way, but it usually saves me a LOT.

 

Best thing you could do is re-spring the truck. I went with all poly bushings and couldn't be happier. The rubber bushings have no life expectancy and in my opinion the ride is not as good as poly. Plus it will handle much better with the poly bushings. Add a set of new Bilstein shocks you'll be a happy camper.

Less than an inch between the spring and rubber bumper is pretty low.


Find a local spring shop. Best way to go.