Removing Overloads
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,339
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From: Lost In a Pit of Despair
Removing Overloads
My truck has overload springs in the rear, and I was wondering if removing them would soften the ride a bit?
They don't look like the stock kind, because the ends of the overloads are u-bolted to the mains.
Thanks
Jameson
They don't look like the stock kind, because the ends of the overloads are u-bolted to the mains.
Thanks
Jameson
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,373
Likes: 46
From: Palm Bay, Florida
Those springs ARE overloads, they ARE adjusted as light as they can be right now-if you were hauling heavy you would tighten up the nuts on the U bolts for extra capacity.
I don't think removing them will soften your ride much, I'd leave them on in case you ever WANT to carry something heavy. No harm in that.
I don't think removing them will soften your ride much, I'd leave them on in case you ever WANT to carry something heavy. No harm in that.
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,507
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From: Sioux Falls Area
for as much work as those would be to unhook, i'd probably just try it and see what i thought.
some of the overloads ive seen like yours are progressive, so there might not be that much difference if they are. but many are not, and there could be a significant difference.....
i bet if you jack the truck by the frame those u-bolts at the ends would be fairly slack and easily removed..... i'd try it. especially if yours rides anything like mine. i think mine are coming off or getting modified (different style, check my gallery if you like) ... it hurts to drive. takes a minimum of 400 lbs on the hitch or in the bed to make it even tolerable.
just a thought.
some of the overloads ive seen like yours are progressive, so there might not be that much difference if they are. but many are not, and there could be a significant difference.....
i bet if you jack the truck by the frame those u-bolts at the ends would be fairly slack and easily removed..... i'd try it. especially if yours rides anything like mine. i think mine are coming off or getting modified (different style, check my gallery if you like) ... it hurts to drive. takes a minimum of 400 lbs on the hitch or in the bed to make it even tolerable.
just a thought.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,553
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The '78 F250 I bought from my father in law had overloads. They were shot. Pulled them off and replaced the main springs with stock style. New shocks also. Father in law, having lived with (and used) the overloads for 30 years, was pleasantly surprised by the ride after the changes.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 778
Likes: 2
From: southeast Idaho
When I bought my 77 it had those overloads on it for hauling a camper and they worked good for that. But I took them off and it made the ride a whole lot better, especially after I put new shocks on..
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 325
Likes: 1
From: B.C.Canada, EH?
Yes...remove those....look like "Hellwig" brand...ride terrible when unloaded. If you want properly functioning overloads, get the stock setup. They're awesome!
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Moderator
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,507
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From: Sioux Falls Area
any pictures of a stock setup?
mine are similar to what is now stock, but are installed with bolts, so i dont think they are original.
mine are similar to what is now stock, but are installed with bolts, so i dont think they are original.
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 325
Likes: 1
From: B.C.Canada, EH?
Mine are similar to this.....only working when the truck is loaded, otherwise truck rides on main springs. Actually, my SuperCab was a trailer-special, which comes with even softer springs than normal or Camper Specials. They worked great!
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,993
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From: Costa Mesa, CA
As others have said - remove the overloads to check them out. I'd bet your ride will soften up enough to be noticeable.
Do you normally run a camper or tow really heavy loads? If not you're fine just leaving the things off.
Do you normally run a camper or tow really heavy loads? If not you're fine just leaving the things off.
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,339
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From: Lost In a Pit of Despair
As far as removing them.. If I lift up by the frame to relieve the stress on the springs, would it then just be as simple as taking the u bolts off and removing them from the bracket?
Thanks
Jameson
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,993
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From: Costa Mesa, CA
Yes that would be the best/easiest way to take them off.
When you say the heavy trailer loads come in summer - what is a heavy trailer to you? If it's actually a pretty heavy trailer you may want to leave the overload leafs in the pack and just remove or replace the U-bolts that engage based on if you are towing heavy.
When you say the heavy trailer loads come in summer - what is a heavy trailer to you? If it's actually a pretty heavy trailer you may want to leave the overload leafs in the pack and just remove or replace the U-bolts that engage based on if you are towing heavy.
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,339
Likes: 32
From: Lost In a Pit of Despair
Yes that would be the best/easiest way to take them off.
When you say the heavy trailer loads come in summer - what is a heavy trailer to you? If it's actually a pretty heavy trailer you may want to leave the overload leafs in the pack and just remove or replace the U-bolts that engage based on if you are towing heavy.
When you say the heavy trailer loads come in summer - what is a heavy trailer to you? If it's actually a pretty heavy trailer you may want to leave the overload leafs in the pack and just remove or replace the U-bolts that engage based on if you are towing heavy.
(This is a size comparison)
This size trailer -deck is 20' by 6', with about 36" diameter wood rounds stacked 2 rows high (of grand fir). Its enough to make my dads car ('07 Nitro w/tow prep package, 5K recommended max towing) drag its rear.
So maybe around 5K, with the trailer weighing 1500 dry
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,993
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From: Costa Mesa, CA
I'm thinking you should be pretty fine with the things off then. My "heavy loaded trailer" would be about 7-8k and to some that's nothing. I was just trying to verify what you towed befor making a recommendation as to whether or not the overloads should come all the way off.
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Lost In a Pit of Despair
How much payload would be lost? A lot of times I am carrying more then towing...