My front springs are saggy like most every one else's. Not sure I want to re-arch only to have the same problem resurface. Don't/can't afford new leaves. I can't find any used bags and can't really fab any new retros, sooo...

What about air shocks on the front axle?

My gut says no. Too much stress on the mounting points. Opinions?

 

A lot of stress on the mounting points. The ride would be a lot worse with air shocks also. You bring the truck up level it would most likely take 100 PSI or so. You wouldn't have any shock action at all. It would ride like you didn't have any springs.

 

Find a fairly new truck at the junk-yard that has the same width of spring-leaves on the arched rear springs as your sagging front leaves.

Put a couple of those leaves in your existing front spring pack.

This will take out the sag and probably increase ride quality; at least it has for me on various trucks over the years.

 

In the early 70's I put Koni shocks on a Mustang that I used to road race, it had very tight suspension and I wound up breaking the upper shock mounts when I punched the shocks upward into the trunk.

Agreed, air shocks would give you a very rough ride.

 

Well, like yourself, I thought the same thing. Couldn't find any manufacturer for them, so I bought a set for the rear of the truck, replaced the bushing that was different on the fronts, and installed them. Drove around for about a week, and took them off.

Why ?


They wouldn't move the suspension UP at all ! No rise when you filled them up, so I gained NO clearance at all. Truck RODE LIKE CRAP !

I'll sell them to you if you want, as I still have them. Brand new.... Only on the truck for a week, then removed...

 

Pretty much what I thought. I'll pass.

May investigate the add a leaf idea though. Seems cheap and relatively easy. Plus I could mix & match until I found the right one.

Do the front springs have a hole in the center for a bolt?

 

Yes they do.

 

YES

So far as I know, all leaf-springs have a center "tie-pin" or "tie-bolt".

The bottom end of this bolt is a round peg that sits in a hole in the spring-pad that is welded on the axle-housing; thus keeping everything aligned.

I have ran into at least three different diameters of these tie-bolts, 3/8, 7/16, and 1/2 for the long shank that passes through the leaves.

It isn't a big deal to ream a smaller hole to fit a larger pin and it isn't the end of the world to use a leaf with a slightly larger hole in a pack of springs that use a smaller bolt.

It is good that you asked because you will need new LONGER tie-bolts whenever you dis-assemble any spring-pack.

The new bolts always come plenty long and you cut off the excess length after the pack is assembled.

There is usually a hole in the top spring-plate that will temporarily allow for a bit of excess bolt-length; if you plan to experiment with various leaf combinations, I would leave an inch or so of extra bolt-length on the new tie-bolts until I was satisfied with the set-up.

Once you have things like you want, then cut the excess length just above the nut and peen/swell the end.

I hope this helps.

 

It would seem that the larger the diameter of the air bag the softer the ride, because of the difference in air pressure. I would go around to some of the custom air ride (truck / body shops) and look/ask what they have to say. Just my thoughts, Mike.

 

He didn't ask about air bags. He asked about old tech Air Shocks

 

Correct. I'd love some bags but I don't have the dough.

Unless Santaclaus brings me some...

 

Well, he hasn't stopped at my house in the last two decades, so GOOD LUCK !