Truck is just too soft. Maybe more of a towing issue, so sorry if it needs to be moved.

What can I do to stiffen the rear suspension? Getting HD shocks already. But IO had an 05 F250 and just went to the dealer adn bought the overload springs. That was only difference between adn F250 and F350. Is it possible to do something like that on these trucks (the one in my sig)? Just puttin it out there for the consensus.

Truck drops about 2" when I hook up the 5er. I have heard about the air bags adn the HD shocks, but looking to se if there are any "hardware" options, like the Ford. Like I said, I am got a deal on shocks, so I am gonna put them on and see how much it changes. Will follow up.

Thanks for any help or experiences.

Torklift makes a product called "stable loads". It will engage the overloads sooner and there is adjustment. There is pictures on their website.

Torklift makes a product called "stable loads". It will engage the overloads sooner and there is adjustment. There is pictures on their website.


Thanks Matty. I will check them out.

Shocks dont hold any weight they just have compresion and rebound.

Shocks dont hold any weight they just have compresion and rebound.

Yeah. Maybe I didn't explain that right. I am not looking for more weight capacity, per say, just trying to keep what is there from bouncing around as much. Getting a lot of porpoising. Stock skocks are too soft. No compression. One hand on the bumper and I can rock it up and down at least 6" without really trying.

Thanks fo rhelping me clear that up.

New shocks should slow that down. Bilstein or the adjustable ranchos would be good.

You want to look into a set of air bags - I put a set on and they made a big difference when I'm towing my 5ver.

You want to look into a set of air bags - I put a set on and they made a big difference when I'm towing my 5ver.
Yeah I would check prices for bags i was gonna do over loads but the bags went much more and are way better then over loads.

Get some Air bags

Timbrens. They're cheap, maintenance free, and take 10 minutes to install.

Thanks all. i am most likely gonna wind up bagging, but just trying get all the options and make the move once.

Any good place to get info on Timbrens or where to get? Haven't searched it here yet, but will, any other sites.

Timbren (http://www.timbren.com/find-a-dealer.asp)'s site has a dealer locator. There are some dealers that sell on ebay as well. The model number for your application is GMRCK25S.

Timbren (http://www.timbren.com/find-a-dealer.asp)'s site has a dealer locator. There are some dealers that sell on ebay as well. The model number for your application is GMRCK25S.

Thanks. I will check it out.

Joonbee If You Want To Stiffen The Rear Suspension You Need A Real Overload System Not Junk That Will Harm Your Truck The Factory Overloads Are Ok But Dont Contact Soon Enough And You Dont Want Anything To Make Them Contact Sooner They Are Not Made For That You Will Brake The Brackets Off Of The Frame

Ps Joonbee
Rember One Thing When Looking At Products If It Attaches Where Your Bump Stop Is That Is The Last Place You Should Be Touching Not The First!!!

You take off the bumb stops to bolt the air bag on to the bump stop mount.

I use air bags. Do yourself a favor and get the auto height adjusting kit so it always maintains the same height no matter what the load.

Spring man. Givin you name alone. I am interested in your recommendations.

Air bags?? Timbrens??

and you are saying stay away from that first one mentioned that replaces thecontact pad of the spring. Thought that theory would cause wear.

Also for all. I was even thinking that if the shocks help slow it down then I could put a 2" block in to make it tow level. It is level empty adn drops 2" when loaded, so if I go up 2" then I will be level by theory.

Concerns about that idea? I am hopefully getting the shocks in time for my trip next week and I will follow up after the trip.

These guys that use air bags and bump stops they do something all right. Look what is available in the market place there are products that are alot better than air bags or Timbrens. You do not want pretension on your springs and again the last place you hit should not be the first place you hit (cross members frame support spring hangers) why would you want to replace the spring stops with a product that contacts first just because they use that area does not make it right. There is a better way trust me 35 years in the Leaf spring business I have seen it all. Just look at all the options and see how they work.

There is a better way trust me 35 years in the Leaf spring business I have seen it all. Just look at all the options and see how they work.

SPRING MAN,
Can you enlighten us on what the better way is? You can't just claim there is a better way and then leave us hangin...

Springman, most semis use air suspensions. Airbags give smooth ride and weight carrying ability. There are no significant issues about where they contact on our pickups. I have never heard of any issues on that front. Stop leading people astray.
These guys that use air bags and bump stops they do something all right. Look what is available in the market place there are products that are alot better than air bags or Timbrens. You do not want pretension on your springs and again the last place you hit should not be the first place you hit (cross members frame support spring hangers) why would you want to replace the spring stops with a product that contacts first just because they use that area does not make it right. There is a better way trust me 35 years in the Leaf spring business I have seen it all. Just look at all the options and see how they work.

Yeah Spring man you can't leave us hanging, what is better or the right way in your opinion. What you say makes sense, but Emerson brings up a good point anout the semi's.

Not trying to start a debate, just gather opinions. Right or wrong I willhave my own at the end.

Thanks for all the great info.

I use air bags. Do yourself a favor and get the auto height adjusting kit so it always maintains the same height no matter what the load.


hhmmmm. auto height adjusting kit?? something else to google.

thanks

Options :
1. Airbags
- advantage is flexibility of adjustement for different loads
- disadvantage is lesser reliability when compared to other options
(leaking airbags)
- other disadvantages include reduced suspension travel and less
linear spring response - they get stiffer, and stiffer, and stiffer
as they compress. Can jar you if pressure set to high.
2. Timbrens
- advantage bolt on and better reliability - no airbags to leak
- disadvantage - some report rough ride unloaded (timbrens not
in contace w/axle) when you hit a bump and the driver feels
the axle impact on the timbren.
3. Supersprings
- advantage is that it doesn't affect ride without a load in the truck
- disadvantage might be higher cost, etc.
4. Have local shop add a leaf to your spring pack
- advantage over airbags is a more linear spring rate and reliability
- disadvantage is rougher ride without load - although my 3500 srw
with an additional leaf is just fine.
5. Hellwig overload spring
- advantage is quick installation
- disadvantage is much rougher ride without a load.

I just went through the process of adding airbags onto a 3500 SRW - I opted for pacbrake airbags (similar to airlift) over firestone due to seeing many reports of quality issues on the latter. My truck is an '05 3500 srw so it has overload springs on top as well as underneath - it is a 3 stage spring pack (only done in 04.5 and 05 as far as I know).

The airbags for our application mount between the frame and the axle - you remove the "bump stop" (aka jounce bumper) . The downside of this is that you lose suspension travel and the volume of the airbags is relatively low - so they stiffen up fast as they go into the suspension travel.

I switched from bilsteins to KYB monomax and find these to be more appropriately valved for a heavy load. Stable, much more compression dampening and rebound than the bilstein - a very firm but not harsh ride when empty - rides more like a truck, etc.

I do prefer springs over air - springs provide a more linear response. If I didn't have the top overload on my truck - I would take a serious look at supersprings - which are an overload that rides on top of your spring pack and doesn't engage until it gets into the suspension travel.

I would also take your truck to a spring shop and see how much it is to add an extra leaf (or look for someone who has a take-off set of 3500 srw springs - this has one more leaf spring than your 2500hd).

I am not too sold on the Torklift stable loads for gm, which are an adjustable insert to make the bottom overload come into play more quickly - I do like the concept of the stable loads for ford/dodge - these make the top overload come into play sooner. For my truck, which already has 5 leafs in the main spring pack - I think I would rather have my bottom overload re-arched to have it come into play sooner.

jeff

No pickup - or any other vehicle for that matter - should tow ANYTHING without air bags. Way better ride and also LEVEL.

OK you want some answers first off air bags on semis are all together different than the air bag they sell you in the kits they are designed for a specific suspension and built that way not an add on I have seen frames torn axles worn through bags leak brackets broken and by the way most trailers that go over on the hiway are air they came up with the air suspension to protect fruit in orchards and then addapted it there is more money to be made selling air than leaf spring. Thats another story. OK some one made a list of products for overloads. Left out one The Maxloader system does not pretention and does not have any movable parts or clamps to wear out check it out.

Thanks all. Dmax lover-what a great run down, I appreciate you rtime and info. Springman-knew the semis were different, but maxloader system. geat something else to google. I love learning something new everday.

OK you want some answers first off air bags on semis are all together different than the air bag they sell you in the kits they are designed for a specific suspension and built that way not an add on I have seen frames torn axles worn through bags leak brackets broken and by the way most trailers that go over on the hiway are air they came up with the air suspension to protect fruit in orchards and then addapted it there is more money to be made selling air than leaf spring. Thats another story. OK some one made a list of products for overloads. Left out one The Maxloader system does not pretention and does not have any movable parts or clamps to wear out check it out.

Non of the above systems "pretension" the leaf springs, as you keep saying they do.

Non of the above systems "pretension" the leaf springs, as you keep saying they do.

Torklift stable loads for Gm do pretension the overload spring...

jeff