Stock "helper" springs on rear suspension
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Stock "helper" springs on rear suspension
I have a 2000 4x4 Ex, and am in the middle of a hellwig install. I got to looking at the spring packs and am now wondering if a previous owner installed a helper spring. My spring pack has a very thick spring at the bottom of the pack that is def. not part of the stock pack. It isnt banded in, and it is shaped differently at the tip. It sure looks like a helper spring. Did these come stock with one? It is the half-leaf type helper that has a snubber pointing toward the standard spring pack. It kinda looks like the old school traction bars people used to put on leaf spring muscle cars, but this one is actually shaped like a (very) thick bottom spring.
I *think* mine has the towing package, maybe it came with that? Maybe this is causing my suspension to be excessively bouncy? My dad has a 2005 2x4 Ex and his rides 10x better than mine. Smooth, a little firm, and no excessive sway or bounce. Can I get the same ride quality by swapping springs, or at least swapping out this helper spring?
I *think* mine has the towing package, maybe it came with that? Maybe this is causing my suspension to be excessively bouncy? My dad has a 2005 2x4 Ex and his rides 10x better than mine. Smooth, a little firm, and no excessive sway or bounce. Can I get the same ride quality by swapping springs, or at least swapping out this helper spring?
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What you are describing are from the factory. my 2000 X 4x4 has them as well. When my truck is empty, they aren't engaged at all, but when I load it down (or when driving) they help support the load, and probably change the spring rate overall.
I bet you the main difference in the ride of the 2 X's is that one is a 4x4 and the other one is not. I don't think you can put the 2x4 springs on because I believe they will be too low in the rear (I don't think the 2x4 X's were even leaf sprung in the front, but I might be wrong on that one)
Have you considered a V/B code spring swap? It would be harsher, but might have the firmness you are looking for.
either way, good luck with the hellwig
I bet you the main difference in the ride of the 2 X's is that one is a 4x4 and the other one is not. I don't think you can put the 2x4 springs on because I believe they will be too low in the rear (I don't think the 2x4 X's were even leaf sprung in the front, but I might be wrong on that one)
Have you considered a V/B code spring swap? It would be harsher, but might have the firmness you are looking for.
either way, good luck with the hellwig
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Washington State
Uh...that's not a helper spring at all. That is an anti-wrap leaf. (pseudo traction bar in layman's terms)
The 2WD ride much smoother. I doesn't have anything to do with the anti-wrap leaf...in a way. You see, it has no effect on suspension compression or load carrying capacity but it does raise the CG of the 4Wd trucks. More sway. The front leafs are adequate at best and do not really provide very good suspension compliance.
The 2WD's coils up front and the lower stance aid in nicer ride; comparatively.
FWIW, the rear spring packs are the same rate, IIRC.
The 2WD ride much smoother. I doesn't have anything to do with the anti-wrap leaf...in a way. You see, it has no effect on suspension compression or load carrying capacity but it does raise the CG of the 4Wd trucks. More sway. The front leafs are adequate at best and do not really provide very good suspension compliance.
The 2WD's coils up front and the lower stance aid in nicer ride; comparatively.
FWIW, the rear spring packs are the same rate, IIRC.
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Well at least I know what it is now. All I really care is that it is stock and should be there. You see a lot of "innovative" stuff put on trucks around here by the local yokels.
I realize a 4x4 isnt going to ride like a 2x4, but dads rides soooo much nicer. I was hoping that someone made a quantum leap in susp tuning from 2000 to 2005, so the 05 4x4 springs would give a nicer ride. sounds like it isnt so.
I finished the hellwig install last night and drove it today. Wow, what a difference. I also swapped on bilsteins so I cant attribute the change directly, but it sways a lot less and bounces less. Still not as nice as dads... but oh well.
I realize a 4x4 isnt going to ride like a 2x4, but dads rides soooo much nicer. I was hoping that someone made a quantum leap in susp tuning from 2000 to 2005, so the 05 4x4 springs would give a nicer ride. sounds like it isnt so.
I finished the hellwig install last night and drove it today. Wow, what a difference. I also swapped on bilsteins so I cant attribute the change directly, but it sways a lot less and bounces less. Still not as nice as dads... but oh well.
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