Greetings. Wondering if anyone has upgraded their leaf springs from 2(1) to 5(1)? I haul all the time and from what I've read, the 2(1) set up on the SD's lack. I found 5(1)'s online for 199 each. Seems like a good deal and worth the effort.

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• Spring Capacity = 4400 lbs
• Width = 3
• # of Leaves = 6(5/1)
  
• Measures (A/B) = 33-1/4 x 33-1/4
  
• Pack Thickness = 3-5/16
• Bushings Included
  
  

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• Heavy Duty Replacement
• 5160 Steel - Heat Treated and Shot Peened
• Corrects Sag, Leaning, Sway
• Tip Inserts to Reduce Friction, Prevent Squeaking and Eliminate Shear Point from Metal on Metal Contact
• Clips to Prevent Leaf Springs from Shifting Sideways
• 1 Year Warranty

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Any thoughts on new shocks to go with? Maybe Timbrens as well?

 

I'm looking into a add a leaf from Ford or Ready Lift. I've heard that all of the people who have invested in Carli springs have been delighted. Just exspensive. I installed a ready lift stage 4 lift but because I have snow plow springs I'm slightly higher in the front so adding one spring would make it perfect. BTW Ready Lift has lifetime guarantees.

 

I understand your situation. I tow every day and when I first got the truck the sag in the rear was surprising.

My opinion is this: you can achieve 5000lbs of support with an air bag set up and be able to adjust it for whatever load you place on the truck. They cost a little more but life with an unloaded truck is pretty good with them, they are reliable, simple, and effective. Better solution for my taste.

 

I spoke with 2 ford dealerships yesterday. Upgarding to 5(1) leafs is expensive. 600 for each leaf, 400 for sway bar, 90 for each overloard ears. Plus labor.

I think I'm going to go with AAL's and Sumosprings. I'll add a hellwig sway bar too.

I had a 03 Ram 2500 quad 5.7 with the 8' bed, camper package. No where near the rear sag of my new SD.

 

Well, then the cost of airbags is less than those springs. Obviously bags are not something you're interested in but they work, and they work perfectly for many years of daily service.

Good luck.

 

I'm not opposed to air. Thinking it might be nice to have something I can just forget about after installed. The sumos need no air and are rated at 10k. Also, considerering Timbrens?

 

Air bags are nice because they are there when you need them and when you don't, reduce the air and they don't affect the ride quality at all. Adding leaves is going to stiffen the rear end by definition and therefore affect the ride all the time. I wouldn't say having a stiff ride all the time is going to lead you to forgetting about them. I wouldn't want that at all. The sway bar is going going to make that truck ride great on the road, but severely reduce the suspension articulation off-road. I'm in the minority that uses their truck off-road, but I just don't see using sway bars on 4x4 trucks. That's my opinion...

 

Savage,

I see your point. I'm in no rush, a few months or more. I'm sure I'll change my mind several times between now and when I finally do something, (depending on the $ signs the DW reminds me of). I use my truck as a truck. I don't abuse them recklessly, but definitely push their limits. I go off road as well, but feel better when hauling or towing with a sway bar. It's a trade off. I'm loaded with something 75% of the time.

 

I'd install a set of air bags and a rear stabilizer along with a good set of shocks and be done with it..

 

For two track driving, having a sway bar isn't going to hurt you. Driving any more than that where rear axle articulation is needed and you will not only get yourself stuck or you could stress your rear-end (to the point of damaged parts). There are a few guys that I run with that have sway bars and they always have to stop and disconnect them when they get to where we are riding. They claim it's worth their time because the truck is so much more stable with it connected.

I don't dispute their claims. I'm certain it helps, but I don't have a problem pulling our 25' enclosed trailer with 5 wheelers and gear in it or our 5th wheel (it's not a little fiver either) and I've pulled both frequently. Don't take my opinion as anything more than that. I don't claim my opinion as fact...just my personal feelings based on my experiences. This is the first truck I've had with air-bags and I will never go back to adding leaves or helper springs. If I was to the point of needing reinforcement or more capacity (beyond airbags) all the time, I'd buy a bigger truck and put air bags on it too. I'll never own another truck without air bags again.

 

Me neither too.

And like savage points out, we're just trying to help. Nothing wrong with adding steel to your truck, it's solid. Equally, several of us that use our trucks loading and hauling our work and toy equipment really find the airbags to be a great solution. Heck, if I had the money I would remove all the leafs and go to straight air ride and shocks. Having adjustable ride height and load capacity would be nirvana for someone like me that has 6 different trailers to deal with almost every time I drive the truck.

 

The 08-10 rear end is much more stout in my opinion. I still cant believe how the 11-12 sag!

 

You could always just add a leaf

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...reccomend.html

 

08-10. Rear axle rating of 12,500. GVWR of 14,500; 11-12 rear axle 9,000. GVWR of 13,300. Pretty simple, and blame is EPA.