Rear Springs

[Pitch1]

Has anyone installed Tufftruks variable rate coils on the rear of their 2013 1500?
Plusses minus advice whatever would be appreciated. Undecided between bags or the springs.

Did the spring change your ride height at all? My Ram has "enhanced ride height" whatever that is.

 

[reek]

I had these on my 1500. best upgrade I did on that truck. ride quality didn't change much and no real ride height change either. cured the easy sag of the oem springs. I had bad luck with air bags in the past so I'm biased, I'd say go with the springs for a "set it and forget it" upgrade.

 

[2015ram1500]

i did airbags on the rear of a '15 and love them

reason being is that you can air them down and itll ride like stock

or if theres any sort of weight sagging the rear down...you can put air into the bags. lighter loads will do 10psi in the bags and some loads require 30-40psi

i like the adjustability and theyre a very easy install on these trucks with no drilling or cutting. just a direct bolt in without removing a single stock part. you basically just jack the truck up enough to get the rear suspension to extend....then they bolt right in. was a 3hr install with a couple of wrenches and it was the 1st set ive ever done.

but i also know people who like upgraded springs. so i think both methods can work just depends on your taste

 

[smurfs_of_war]

I did the tufftruk springs on my 1500 ('13) and knowing what I know now, it would have been the FIRST upgrade I did. I did not use the variable rate, I used the big brother to that, but the ride was still compliant and I loved that I didn't drag the ass around every time I loaded it. The variable rate should provide an even closer to stock comfort- but my butt isn't as sensitive as some. Ride height on mine changed, but I have read the newer ones do not change it, or if they do- it's very little. It didn't bug me since I had put in levelling struts up front at the same time.

They were stupid easy to install and I didn't have to worry about lines, valves, airing up/ down, nothing. That doesn't mean they are better than bags, they just made more sense to me since I like to set and forget.

Install- drop the diff with a floor jack, remove old, install new. Watch your brake lines and ABS gizmos, take the fender well liner out (there is a hidden screw up front to watch for, don't break it) I used a trim tool to easily disconnect all of the mounting hardware for the lines so they had some slack. When you put the new springs on, make sure the cap on top is replaced the same way- there is an indent so it's hard to mistake it. It's a good time to do your shocks too if you're so inclined since it's all laid bare. Truth be told, but the time you're done messing with lines and fittings and compressing the bags for install, the install times and effort are basically the same for each in my opinion.

 

[2015ram1500]

I did the tufftruk springs on my 1500 ('13) and knowing what I know now, it would have been the FIRST upgrade I did. I did not use the variable rate, I used the big brother to that, but the ride was still compliant and I loved that I didn't drag the ass around every time I loaded it. The variable rate should provide an even closer to stock comfort- but my butt isn't as sensitive as some. Ride height on mine changed, but I have read the newer ones do not change it, or if they do- it's very little. It didn't bug me since I had put in levelling struts up front at the same time.

They were stupid easy to install and I didn't have to worry about lines, valves, airing up/ down, nothing. That doesn't mean they are better than bags, they just made more sense to me since I like to set and forget.

Install- drop the diff with a floor jack, remove old, install new. Watch your brake lines and ABS gizmos, take the fender well liner out (there is a hidden screw up front to watch for, don't break it) I used a trim tool to easily disconnect all of the mounting hardware for the lines so they had some slack. When you put the new springs on, make sure the cap on top is replaced the same way- there is an indent so it's hard to mistake it. It's a good time to do your shocks too if you're so inclined since it's all laid bare. Truth be told, but the time you're done messing with lines and fittings and compressing the bags for install, the install times and effort are basically the same for each in my opinion.

yeah i hear ya...i considered every option for a while. i ultimately decided i didnt want a permanent change in ride height and ride quality in the rear of my truck (which is significantly different than the front suspension characteristics).

airing up and down is just taking the 2 minutes to either add air or release air from the single valvestem (that you can mount anywhere in the truck you want). its far from a hassel from my direct experience.

when the air pressure's low, it still rides as smooth as stock down the highway and over bumps, etc . the nicer/softer ride is indeed part of the reason i didnt want my heavyduty truck anymore in the 1st place, and adding stiff springs seemed counter intuitive for my purposes.

but different strokes for different folks as the stiffer springs certainly have their uses and work great if you main goal is preventing sag. i used them on a previous truck and they did fine but made it ride like a brick. that also coulve been due to the amount of stiffness in the spring i used, dont know.

 

[jawzs2]

I too put the variable rate coils i my 2010, have to agree with the other posts, one of the best upgrades I did as well. Not sure what you're towing, but I'm running a 27' TT, around 6K loaded. Stock springs would drop the rear bumper about 4-5" when hooked up before my WD bars were snugged up, with the variable it only drops about 2-3", and comes right back up with the WD bars, much less porpoising on the wonderful roads we have around here, virtually none. The variable rate hardly changed the ride feel at all, my wife didn't even notice. A nice upgrade if you don't tow or drive loaded all the time, rides almost stock unloaded, but stiffens up as you add weight. Sorry, I haven't used air, (Gabriel HighJackers), since my 340 Duster many, many years ago, so I can't give an honest comparison between the two.

 

[cableguy_hd]

I think I got the TTC 1211. may have raised the rear 1/2" but didnt mind cause I have raised the front 2". Ride is fine for me, put bags in as well as I already had them in the stock springs. I pulled twice with them and no air it sagged a little. I'm happy with them.



Damn had them in my sig and didnt know it... lol

 

[gofishn]

Has anyone installed Tufftruks variable rate coils on the rear of their 2013 1500?
Plusses minus advice whatever would be appreciated. Undecided between bags or the springs.

Did the spring change your ride height at all? My Ram has "enhanced ride height" whatever that is.

Springs are HARDware, bags are not. If going with bags. keep air lines separate or you run the risk of air being forced, from the load bearing bag, to the non load bearing bag, which would intensify sway.

Personally, air has never worked right,for me. In the end, were far more problem then help. You're experience may differ and many swear by them.

Bags are definitely cheaper, initially.
I decided on teh Tuftruck 1211 springs,for myself. Same 50% greater load capacity as the variable rate springs.

here is what I gathered, from my conversations with Tuftruck.

Per Tuftruck rep, here is a breakdown of Tuftruck Springs.

TTC-1210 - Perfect OEM replacement coils. Essentially stock height, (may notice a 1/2 inch loss but most do not) Will not change ride characteristics whatsoever. When running light, never know the truck had anything other than OEM coils. Will handle more load than OEM, 25% or 450lbs more.

TTC-1223 - Guy said he designed this spring for trucks that are constantly under a load. Recommended minimum constant load weight of 600lbs. If not loaded, horrible ride and will raise your trucks rear end by 2-4 inches.

TTC-1223V - Most folks are going to want this spring. 50% more load capability than OEM. 1/2 inch shorter than OEM but most will not notice. Can be used with Bilstein 5100 on rear. Spring looseness, when 5100 series shock is fully extended, as some have mentioned, is not a true, real world experience.

Variable rate coil, so when not loaded, rides wonderfully. However, since it is variable rate spring, it will stiffen up, as more weight is added. Less sag than OEM and even TTC-1210, same load. Minor loads will still sag and the difference in amount sag, vs stock will not be that much less of a sag.

again, MINOR loads, that's how the spring keeps the super nice ride characteristics. However, as weight is added, spring really begins to show its worth.

TTC-1211 - 50% stronger than OEM Spring. will handle 900lbs more weight than OEM and is exact same height. Those who are used to 3/4 or 1 ton trucks will prefer this spring. Will feel more natural, to them. Will handle weight much more like former 3/4 ton and up truck owners would expect.

Ride will suffer, somewhat, when unloaded, versus OEM, but will still provide a very nice ride.

SDTruck.com is the Tuftruck Distributor. Called them, asked same questions and got pretty much same answers.

 

[cableguy_hd]

nice write up

 

[2015ram1500]

Sounds like they make some great springs for our trucks!

 

[valkraider]

TufTruck TTC-1223 Rear Extra Heavy Duty Coil Springs

(Not the variable rate ones - these are intended for a constant load - like my camper that stays on)

Unloaded gives a 1.5 inch lift. Loaded with 800lb is exactly the same as stock.








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Posted from my iPhone using the "Tapatalk" app.

 

[jstacey8]

Do the air lift 1000 bags have some movement in the coil or do they sit tight up and down?

 

[cableguy_hd]

in stock coils its a tight fit. very little room to move. you will still get some bounce when loaded. or at least I did...

 

[jstacey8]

So they are touching top and bottom cause in the videos it looks like they can slide up and down

 

[cableguy_hd]

Once they are expanded in the coils of they do move it will be very slight. What's the concern?

 

[gofishn]

Has anyone installed Tufftruks variable rate coils on the rear of their 2013 1500?
Plusses minus advice whatever would be appreciated. Undecided between bags or the springs.

Did the spring change your ride height at all? My Ram has "enhanced ride height" whatever that is.

TUfTruck 1223V will not affect ride, whatsoever. They are designed to be an OEM match, at the upper end, ti is when weight is added that the difference is noted. Nto the first 100-200#, teh sag will be about teh saem, it is after that the springs shine.

 

[jstacey8]

Once they are expanded in the coils of they do move it will be very slight. What's the concern?

Well I'm dead level so I don't wanna have any sag when I put 600 pounds of tile in the bed so I was hoping they would fit tight with no load

 

[cableguy_hd]

To install them I tie wrapped them like a hot dog and stuffed them in the coils. Once I cut the tie wraps and they opened back up I honestly don't see how they could move
Unless you loaded up and didn't inflate them and they squished some. Even that may not really happen.