O.K. Give me crap for buying too much truck, but I preferred a dually. Anyway, can/will 2500 springs bolt to a 3500 (as far as eye to eye measurements) ?
If so, what is the best way to compensate for the loss of lift? Blocks? I really dis-like them? Air bags are too much $$$$$...
Any other ideas? Does someone make a "softer" riding set of springs for a 3500?
My towing mostly consists of my jeep/trailer and a 23' boat. Anotherwords, nothing crazy heavyin the tongue weight category..
Thanks in advance, Ricky...seeya...

put a pallet of sand in the back,then it rides like a caddy!

IIRC, 2500 AND 1500 springs will bolt in. Most guys combine one of those with a set of airbags. Firestone's bag kit is only $210 from Summit Racing. Probably cheaper than the springs themselves.

Deaver Springs and National both make a replacement rear spring that rides softer but you'll mosdt likey pay $500 or more for the set. I agree get a set of 2500HD or 1500HD springs and add a set of airbags $200 or so. You can probably find a set of take-off 2500 springs at a local lift shop for free. Hell you can have the set sitting in my garage but the shipping might get expensive.

Chris

Thanks for the input guys.. I will look around locally to see what's available.
I'm glad to know the 2500's will work.
Thanks again,
Ricky...seeya...

Check your salvage yards.

I added a leaf to my 02 and found that it rode better. My 05 is a 3500 and it rides excellent also.

why new springs? Can't you mod the ones you have? Take off the overloads, or is that not possible?

I thought 3500 springs were 2500HD springs plus the overload helpers.

Does someone make a "softer" riding set of springs for a 3500?
Thanks in advance, Ricky...seeya...

Ricky....

when we first purchased our 3500 we faced the same situation ... to correct it I went the opposite direction from John's solution in that I had the local truck custom shop take off the longest removable rear spring on each side and install a set of Air Lift airbags with onboard compressor ... removing the springs made a marked improvement in the empty ride of the vehicle and the addition of he air bags more than replaced the hauling capacity that I lost from removing them ... curently have 99,500+ miles on the truck and have been very happy with this modification

Jim

Ricky....

when we first purchased our 3500 we faced the same situation ... to correct it I went the opposite direction from John's solution in that I had the local truck custom shop take off the longest removable rear spring on each side and install a set of Air Lift airbags with onboard compressor ... removing the springs made a marked improvement in the empty ride of the vehicle and the addition of he air bags more than replaced the hauling capacity that I lost from removing them ... curently have 99,500+ miles on the truck and have been very happy with this modification

Jim

Jim,
Thanks for the info. I can probably do this without needing the air bags.. I think...
I don't tow anything too heavy. and without that leaf, my truck may sit a little more level.
How much lower did your rear sit after the removal?
It looks like my second from the top is the next longest, but the very bottom is the thickest, and maybe the stiffest????
Any others??
http://www.knology.net/~ericselz/Dually%20jeep%20URE%20comp.jpg
Thanks again, Ricky...seeya...

Ricky...

I considered just removing the spring leaves but the shop where I had the work done recommended against it .... the spring we removed on each side is the one immediately next to the one that connects the spring assembly to the frame ... these leaves get progressively shorter as they move toward the axle and are designed to give strength to the ends of the springs above them ... when we removed the leaf the longer spring had a much longer unsupported gap and they said that if I ever loaded it wrong it could possibly bend the spring in that area ... the air bags help offer support and give me peace of mind ... with the onboard compressor I can literally adjust them going down the road and have found this combo provides an excellent ride

Jim