I know I don't have a factory pack. Could the overload springs have an affect on the ride as well? Being that the u-bolts clamp them to the main pack, I'd assume they could. Maybe if I were to run the factory leaf pack, my ride would be a little smoother? I'd love if that would happen without having to run airbags or expensive shocks.

 

Some trucks came from the factory with overload springs. Faith's truck has them I think.

 

Well from what I understand, this pack was built for and used from an older Dodge my grandpa had which carried about a 300gal water tank. So I don't know if my truck even had overloads in the first place or not. Maybe being a chassis cab, it might have? I see that Jim Lane's doesn't have overloads.

 

My 92 Dually has about the same looking spring packs, the end of my over loads have a bracket on the frame that the ends of the spring ride on when enough load is carried. That setup looks pretty close to stock but I think my over load spring pack has more arch to it.

I am gonna use 1997 2500 springs and perches from my parts truck for the better ride and airbags to make up for the lighter springs.

You could always buy a Duramax to fetch groceries and go to the mall and just drive your Dodge when you need a truck.

 

That looks like the setup on my truck.

The overloads only affect the ride if you have enough weight in the bed that they whack the perches on bumps. If I have between 500 and 1000 lbs in my truck it rides awful because the overloads keep hitting on bumps. Throw another 500 lb in there and they are always touching and the ride gets better.

You can take them off or clamp the ends to the main pack. If you clamp them down it will lift the back of the truck a little.

 

If I am not mistaken the biggest over load spring pack you could get on the truck through Dodge was a 4 ply pack. Yours are deffinitely not stock. They have no arch to them at all. Either they have been used to the point where they have had weight on them all the time or the shop that installed them used the wrong ones. To me they don't look factory. But I wish I had them on my dually! I bought a set of springs of a c&c truck. I believe there are 3 extra plies in the main pack compared to the ones in my W350. But it only had a 4 ply pack of over loads. I haven't installed them yet. I don't know if my teeth can take it.

 

My understanding is that our trucks came with many spring pack options; 6 leafs, 8 leafs, 6 leafs with overload springs, etc. I believe Faith laid that out for us awhile back. If I remember correctly, the 6 sping pack like my truck has is really a 3/4 ton spring setup but on a dually.

 

Interesting. I'm looking to improve the ride as everyone else is here but I don't know anyway other than a lighter leaf pack. I'm sure removing the overloads won't help any though.

 

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...89&postcount=6

 

Mine has 6 + 1 thick leaf on the bottom. Then 4 overloads.

EDIT: just noticed you have studs holding your axles into the hub. Is that normal? Mine are bolts.

 

Older trucks have the studs.

 

What I've read is that studs have the 35 spline axles.

 

Just for fun - this is what was on my truck from the factory as a cab and chassis. It has a 3.54 rear. Works good for me.

 

Jimbo,
Here is some information that I have in my collection for Rear Suspension with all of the part numbers and specifications you might find useful, you should be able to figure out what you have under your truck.

I should probably file them in the sticky for future reference.







Hope this is of some use to you.

Jim

 

If you have the room, installing a longer spring would improve your ride, remove too many springs and and you will create a new problem of axle wrap.

Just be lucky you weren't blessed with a 3400/3800 lb 10-leaf pack.

Jim