As many of you know the weight of our beautiful motors can cause the front springs to sag to an almost reverse arch over time. This has happened to my truck, but the rear springs are just fine. I toyed with the idea of re-arching the springs, but i know that they will just sag again. My question is, what is the possibility of buying some new skyjacker springs for the front say 1" or 2.5" lift and just leaving the rear springs in place, since they dont really need to be replaced. I assume this would be the same as adding a leveling kit to a newer generation truck. If anyone knows if this would work, and which size,1" or 2.5", is better, please respond.
Thanks.

 

Yeah it will work, but there are too many variables between trucks to get a definate answer on which springs would be best, since yours is a 350 my gut feeling would be the 2.5".

 

I replaced the front leaves on my 93 350 4x4 for the same reason. I got Skyjacker 2.5" lifts if I remember right. It lifted the front a little to much. The front was slightly higher. I did ride nice though. I would imaging they would have broken in more if I had kept it. This also created steering geometry issues. the drag link was to short to keep the same steering left ,right.

 

I have some saggy rear springs. I have never had springs re-arched before. What I am wondering is if they still have the same load bearing capacity, and how soon compared to new do they start to sag again?

 

I have the 2.5" Skyjacker front springs and it sits level. I have the same turning radius from left to right, ride is much better and looks much better. I highly recomend them over rearched springs. From what I have seen the rearched springs don't hold their arch for very long. If they add another leaf it will stiffen up the ride as well.

 

I have 1", installed them about a month ago. The truck is still a bit low in the front but I am generally happy. 2.5" would have done it on mine (level), but I was concerned about the steering issues that may have went along with those. With the 1" everything still lines up, no issuses yet. The ride is much better and the fitment of the Skyjacker springs was great, no issues on the installation.

 

Even if you happen to get your front end just a tad higher then the back. They will lower over time, how much time, not sure. What I have done is just have a steel shop make up some spacers for the rear leafs. Only about a 1/2" spacer with the proper size hole drill through the middle. You may also need a slightly longer Axle center bolt because of this. Easy to fix and looks much better having the rear just a tad higher or level then waiting for the front to sink down a little.

 

I installed the 2.5in and the front is a little higher now but thats because the rear springs are sagging, had a utility box on it for a while. But everything lined up no steering issues ride seems better, no bottoming out anymore and looks alot better. I've only had them for a few months and they haven't seemed to sagged yet, keeping my fingers crossed though. Its almost like these springs should have been the stock ones.

 

Thanks guys, it sounds like the 2.5 would be the way to go for me then, considering the springs are reverse arch right now. ill keep you updated on what i do and how it works out for me.

 

My early ’91 should have the same set up (3” rear blocks) as yours. Later trucks got 4” rear blocks. Using the front bumpstops as a reference, before my 2.5” Skyjackers, I had ¾-1” clearance between the stop and the spring. After the new springs, I had 2.5” more as advertised, which put me around 3.5” clearance. They haven’t sagged much in 30k miles, but I haven’t re-measured. Ride improvement is dramatic. Still rides like a truck, but now it has a little bounce to it instead of slamming into every bump in the road.

 

If you haul anything in the truck bed like a camper, or regularly tow moderate loads, the 1" may be better. I installed the 1" because I use my truck to haul a slide-in camper most weekends. I'm still a bit nose down when unloaded, but perfectly level when the camper is on the truck (no airbags either). Just another point to consider...
Install was a breeze. I also added HD spring shackles from Shaggy's offroad (they specialize on old square dodge 4x4s) that gave me 1/4" more lift and lots of space between the frame rails and the rear spring eyes. They come with new poly bushings for the frame. My stockers were shot and I paid less for the new shackles and bushings than the dealer wanted for replacement rubber bushings. Good time to do it since it will be apart. Good luck!

 

Lock 93, where how would i contact Shaggy's off road, and could you pm me with the price and more info that would be awesome, thanks

 

My first post here, hope it`s helpfull
http://www.offroadexchange.com/estor..._id=8&catname='Suspension-Dodge'

 

ChrisLib,
Beat me to it! Great first post

bigred496,
I have only dealt with them on this one item, but they were very helpful and informative. They have instructions on line for the original frame shackle bushing removal; Mine went a lot easier but I did have all the tools on hand in case I needed them.

They also now list the parts for the bushings only. That wasn't available when I ordered the shackles (I needed the shackles anyway, but its nice to know if I need new bushings).