Upgrade Saggy Springs

Since I'm Too Busy and got a great deal on install, Tommorrow (FRI) My Toasted Springs that are tired from Previous Owner abuse are finally gonna be sorted and keeping in mind future RCD Lift Kit end state.

As you can see from the Pics they are tired indeed and the rubber Bushes are cracked and the leafs are even out of line with each other where the bottom 3rd spring meets the overloader Leaf.



IMG]http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/zz152/dodge-ram2/Leaf%20Spring%20Changeout/2010-09-08144317.jpg[/IMG]





So what is being done.

First Install HD springs which are 4 +1 leaf and 2054 Lb Load Rating versis stock 3 + 1 1700 Lb. Part # is HD 3145 BTW. These new springs should add approx 2" of lift and will eliminate the need for future Fab-Tech add a leaf when I get my Lift Kit from PerformanceLifts.com. The leaf springs come with a longer center alignement Bolt.

2nd. I am Picking up 2 x new shackles at the dealer which come with that upper frame bushing and the bolt with blade stopper nut (as I call it) similar to those used as upper Shock fastener.

3rd. Although I would love the Bilstein Option available with future lift-kit purchase I wanna keep the freight cost down so I am Having a Pair of Rancho RS5000's installed with Red Boots.

I want my rear suspension to be in good order when I do my gears in the next few months and plan on removing Chrome diff cvr (last pic above) and adding a Mopar Orange painted one with mopar Chrome Bolts and finish it off with Helwig sway Bar.

This weekend I will post up pics of the finished job and fingers crossed there are no snags as it is a pretty straightforward procedure.

Been in the field all week and have been reading all the good threads ya'all been posting.

Forgot to mention I already aquired some cool CST U-Bolts from Performancelifts last year specifically for this Job, they are plenty long to acommodate the extra leaf. I will measure the SB fender well height when the truck goes in to see how much higher she gets and maybe I'll get back some Rake, also will have to maybe tweak my Readylift Torsion Keys as with the new springs she should sit pretty straight in the back.

Sorry Pic of Shackle Bush

Sweet man! Just make sure we get pics!!!

You Betcha!

Pics and a nice DIY Writeup.

Like i said dude Im too busy so paying labour on this one cause i got an interest free 12 mths dont pay till jan through thr Cdn PX. Other than an alignement and reflash ive done everything else myself so far. Its being done as i sit here at Tim Hortons.

^^^ I was just thinking about this. I was washin the underside of my truck and noticed my leaf springs looked like they were under a load. There not as bad as the ones above but they are almost flat and sag over the axle?? Is this bad? do i have to worry bout them breaking? How do they look new? i never even noticed before. Im a little worried now

Nuttin to be worried about. They will bend before they break. That's how they are designed. But might want to look into a new set. They should have a nice curve to them.

Like i said dude Im too busy so paying labour on this one cause i got an interest free 12 mths dont pay till jan through thr Cdn PX. Other than an alignement and reflash ive done everything else myself so far. Its being done as i sit here at Tim Hortons.

Click to expand...

I guess that's ok. You guys sure love your timmy's. Good deal on the card. So we want pics!!!!!!!!!

Just a couple quick pics of the install.

Old springs removed.



New HD Springs.



Installed. Notice the useless application of the plastisc Tie wrap onto the Rancho Shock (I told em off about that ... Fkn Morons thats why i do **** myself!!)



Since this is a Western Cdn Truck all the 7 year old fasteners removed very easily without any aids (heat/Torches) other than a quick shot of LW for good measure and hence the Torx spring bolts were re-used w/an xtra 5 Ft lbs applied. They had originally charged me 40 bucks for new bolts, so since the CST U Bolts I provided where a tad long and will need to be cut off (is really my fault) I got-em to agree that I would come back in a week for them to cut em off and do a retorque on everything and we'd be square.

Road test, WOW an awesome soft-smooth ridin Truck and I mean its noticable/Cadillac.
I also gained a full 2 inches of rear lift to go with my current 2 inch Ready-lift keys.

I will remeasure everything and tweak the adjustement. So Ya I'm Lifted (sorta) and got me back just enough Rake to keep me happy.

More/better Pics to Follow: Wait Out as I have been handed a list of house chores. Later Guys.

Take it easy man. Lookin Good. Can't wait to see the new stance.

Final Update with Pics: Why I check their work...First Fckup was allowing the nut tab on the upper shock bolt cut into the boot and tighten against the shock.



Fixed (Tiny Hole in the boot (FCK).



Again liked I called it...Useless...$20 Dollar an hour Mechanics.. [QUOTEInstalled. Notice the useless application of the plastisc Tie wrap onto the Rancho Shock (I told em off about that ... Fkn Morons thats why i do **** myself!!)

][/QUOTE]

Yep I was right.....So anyho the Tie wraps fixed and boot correctly positioned.



Next Line up the U-bolts, One per side ended up not to be flush to the spring-mount-on diff housing (another fk-up).



Also pissed that 2 of the U-Bolts bolts where over torqued at 135 and 145 lbs (Spec is 110) and that is why the square top plate, was a tad twisted, the u-bolts out of line on the housing and the extra threaded shafts bent, a fkn nightmnare, so they were obviously torqued using a spanner because I've yet to see a 4-6 inch deep socket in anyones tool-box!

U-bolts re-aligned, proper 110 lb torque applied to all (after excess cut off and trimmed).







Filed and shamphered the cut-off bolts & Touched up all the bare spots on the springs where the girly-men shippers dragged the springs accross the floor and also covered up the white Hydraco Distributers writing on both sides with Black enamel.



Icing on the cake they chewed thru my diff housing vent tube like a drunkin badger....



I had enough hose to do a temp fix and re-clip to the SB floor.

So my contribution to the economy and jobs in the factories of the USA vice Mexico.
Made by Eagle (Even got a USA Flag) Pt# 34-1451 HD




So finally a couple pics of the new stance. 2" Lift rear, 2 " lift front (Ready-Lift Torsion Keys from Performance-Lifts .Com)





I will call my Freind and cancell next weeks re-torque app't and collect the $40 that he charged me for bolts that I never got on the invoice. I do trust his alignement Guy though and will be using him for that after my front gears install, as for the front Rancho's, I think I'll do em Myself.

OK Last Pic. I also Installed the Small Rancho Stickers onto the shock (Skimpy & Tiny)





Now I can wash my Truck and shine the Pipes under there.

lookin good!

Very nice. Looks GREAT!!! Too bad about the hassel but all in all a job well done. After you fixed it right lol.

Thats alot of hacksawing lol. Looks great I bet your glad its done.

Yeh, LOL..Thats what I was thinkin at first, but I ended up using 2 x hacksaws actually, a 24T to start the cut then an 18T to saw through in about a minute each (JailBreak Thin Lizzy). Did consider using a cut-off but my compressor can't keep up and a bit big for the dremel wheels.

With hacksaw there is no heat Build-up on the bolts.

Called my Buddy and cancelled the Appt, he is gonna give me 6 Litres of Quaker State Semi-Synthetic High-RPM Oil ($44) for the 40 Bucks he owes me. I already have a seventh at home and will then have all the stuff needed for the Cam Install on Hand.

Now that is next on my list as I am gettin Antsy but got alot of grass to cut round my place and its gonna rain all week. I get overtime next Saturday at Time & 1/2 for a Dog and Pony so that Xtra will go towards Front Shocks!

Thanks Guys for all the Nice comments.

very nice, sucks that you had problems but at least you have enough know how to fix them yourself

an extra post but, what brand spring did you go with? All I see are these

2002-2005 Dodge Ram 1500 Leaf Spring - Skyjacker - Rear, Progressive

and they say 5 inches of lift.

Sorry been away all week and am way behind on my reading!

Skyjackers are good too if lifting w a Kit. I got em at the local spring shop but here is an american link to Stengal Brothers. You get exactly 2" lift and if I go with an RCD 6" Lift later I don't need the Fab-tech add a leaf.

Scroll down to 3145 Part # also good info on what springs fit what.

Heavy Duty Truck Leaf Steel Springs. These extra heavy duty leaf springs carry more weight than the original springs.

if you replace your springs it worth an extra 100 bucks for new shackles as those upper bushes crack (on mine anyways).

Cool thanks for the link