turbov6joe

Anyone know of there is an aftermarket manufacturer that makes an add-a-leaf for the 2003's? I'd like to do the leaf and the front leveling kit this fall. The only problem I can see is the lack of aftermarket shocks for the 2500/3500 series trucks; this might pose a problem. Blows my mind that the 2004's are almost out and noone but Rancho makes a HD shock for these trucks. I'd rather not use the Rancho 9000's, don't need the adjustability or the added expense of same.

routerguy99

AAA Spirngs Specialist INC, Salt Lake City Utah, 801-972-1231 or 972-1359, They carrie a wide varity and they also make custom springs , I added them to my truck 125.00

turbov6joe

Thanks for the info, did it raise the rear much or change the ride for the worse? I'm looking to add a little height to the rear as well as a few more pounds of carrying capacity.

SuperGewl

Turbov6joe, I was just wondering why you wanted to add a leaf to the rear of a 3500 in the first place? It already has an extra overload leaf added. Are you really hauling that much weight or are you triing to level it out more when sitting empty? ???
I the SWB 3500 and when you load up the bed it level right out and rides real nice ;D
Just wondering what you were doing withit?

turbov6joe

The 3500's have the "softer" main spring pack versus that of the 2500 series that doesn't have the overloads. Because of this, when I haul water or load up my race car and trailer, it comes down on the overloads really quick causing the back end to squat too low. The front end is so high the headlights are shining up in the sky and in people's eyes going down the highway. What I thought the add-a-leaf might do is add just enough sturdidity (my word) to keep it more level. Also, I want to install the front end leveling kit, this would make the already bad problem even worse. What DC should have done was use both the stiffer main pack (2500 and dually has this) and the overloads on the 3500 SRW regardless of how many rear tires it has. Some of us really work our trucks and not just ride around looking cool in a 1 ton, DC lost sight of this IMO. My last truck was a 2001 dually with a 5 speed and Cummins. In the 2+ years I had it, I don't think I ever seen it come down on the overloads like this truck, and nothing I'm hauling has changed??? Of course it had a much firmer ride then that of 2003's, but in my mind I buy trucks to haul and ride like trucks, not like my old Buick. I never for 1 minute anticipated that the 2003's would ride so good, but I alo never thought they would have such a pu$$y suspension either. The ride height is mucho lower than the old body style, and that I dislike, and the load carry capacity is less... no matter what the dealer pamphlet or web sight says. The only thing it can do better is pull more weight because of the added power, that I do like! I just put an Edge EZ on it and WOW did it wake up once I figured out that the fuel filter needed replacing

routerguy99

[quote author=turbov6joe link=board=20;threadid=18647;start=0#msg175122 date=1061438849]
Thanks for the info, did it raise the rear much or change the ride for the worse? I'm looking to add a little height to the rear as well as a few more pounds of carrying capacity.
[/quote]
If you tighten the Bolts on the Add a leaf with the Rear of the truck up, you get approx 1-2", if you have the bolts loose you only get 1/2-1". the Ride is the same except when I put weight on.

shaft

Turbov6joe -

You might want to look at the Timbren Rubber Helper Springs. This is what I'm using on my 3500 SRW. I really like them. Extremely easy to install, you just remove your bump stops and these springs bolt right up. They're run about $200. Here's the website link: http://www.timbren.com/RideCtl/MFG/MFG_2.shtml

shaft

Turbov6joe -

If you really want to go with Add-A-Leaf, any suspension shop should be able to help you. They usaully stock a bunch of leaves. I added a leaf on my old Ram truck and the ride was terrible. Just my $0.02.

phox_mulder

Make sure it's a long add-a-leaf.

Short leafs = very harsh ride.
Long leafs = softer ride.



phox (member of the rough riders club (short skyjacker AAL)

turbov6joe

I called most of the suspension places and got the same answer from all of them...."nothing along the lines of an add-a-leaf for the 2003 HD's as of yet." The older trucks use 1 centering pin, the new ones use 2...prolly part of the reason they're not out yet. Yesterday I went out in the 103º heat and yanked a front and rear shock off to try and get a HD replacement the old way....nothing! We looked at every brand and style the parts store sold and could not come up with an aftermarket replacement to save my rear. I then went next store to the Dodge dealer and was basically told that because I have 14k miles I was SOL. They suggested I take it back to the dealer I bought it from and see what they say. I did just that, and after bringing to their attention that I've spent over $100k with them over the years, they decided to fudge the books and replace the shocks under warranty. I figure these should last another 10k miles, or long enough for some aftermarket manufacturer to come out with better option for the 2003 HD's. I also am having them replace the alt. bracket and address the pulling to the right problem that's existed since almost mile #1. I plan to yank the Edge EZ before I go to make sure there isn't a problem there. I thought I remember reading that the PCM will reset itself within a certain period of time with the box off; is there any validity to this??? I also plan to make a run down to my buddies dyno and make a few pulls with and without to determine if the box is performing up to snuff, what kind of numbers should I expect see with a 6 speed HO that has 14k miles on it?

DF5152

[quote author=turbov6joe link=board=20;threadid=18647;start=0#msg176746 date=1061893622]
I called most of the suspension places and got the same answer from all of them...."nothing along the lines of an add-a-leaf for the 2003 HD's as of yet." The older trucks use 1 centering pin, the new ones use 2...prolly part of the reason they're not out yet. Yesterday I went out in the 103º heat and yanked a front and rear shock off to try and get a HD replacement the old way....nothing! We looked at every brand and style the parts store sold and could not come up with an aftermarket replacement to save my rear. I then went next store to the Dodge dealer and was basically told that because I have 14k miles I was SOL. They suggested I take it back to the dealer I bought it from and see what they say. I did just that, and after bringing to their attention that I've spent over $100k with them over the years, they decided to fudge the books and replace the shocks under warranty. I figure these should last another 10k miles, or long enough for some aftermarket manufacturer to come out with better option for the 2003 HD's. I also am having them replace the alt. bracket and address the pulling to the right problem that's existed since almost mile #1. I plan to yank the Edge EZ before I go to make sure there isn't a problem there. I thought I remember reading that the PCM will reset itself within a certain period of time with the box off; is there any validity to this??? I also plan to make a run down to my buddies dyno and make a few pulls with and without to determine if the box is performing up to snuff, what kind of numbers should I expect see with a 6 speed HO that has 14k miles on it?
[/quote]
y wouldnt they replace these without the hasle. the feds mandates, or use to 18months 18000 mile minimum bumper to bumper warantee. Also doesnt the truck have a 3 year 36 month bumper to bumper warantee?

turbov6joe

Actually I was under the impression and was told by Dodge that it's actually 12months/12k for "wearable" parts...thus shocks falling under that title.

turbov6joe

Anyone know if I would have to replace the centering pins or U bolts with the addition of this extra leaf? I would rather not remove a spring spacer for the additional heigth.

phox_mulder

[quote author=turbov6joe link=board=20;threadid=18647;start=0#msg179496 date=1062503165]
Anyone know if I would have to replace the centering pins or U bolts with the addition of this extra leaf? I would rather not remove a spring spacer for the additional heigth.
[/quote]

My Skyjacker 4.5 kit came with the add-a-leaf and longer U-bolts.

Comparing the old U-bolts with the new ones, it doesn't look like I needed the longer ones.


phox