fordrescueunit

Got 01 2500 ecsb. I tow alot, almost everyday for our landscape company. I have a 34ft deck over, everytime I pull a load feels like im about to take off into the sky, rear almost hit the bump stops with the right load. Stock rear springs bent to "s" shape also so would it be worth it to put bigger leaf springs from 3500 or just do helper bags n set of traction bars?

luke03cr

If ur towing that heavy of a load then 3500 springs wont b much of an improvement. Your best bet would be rear air bags to help level that load, BUT remember.. they wont increse your load carrying capacity for ur truck.

fordrescueunit

Im right at capacity, just need something to level it out a bit until i do get a dually

SIXSLUG

Airbags make a huge difference in the behavior of the truck when towing, 3500 springs won't add that much. You'll still squat it and recurve the springs out of shape. You can also deflate them when not towing and save your ride.

Dane

I've had air bags on the rear of my truck for over 10 years and like them. I pump them up to 70 psi with my cab over camper loaded and it really helps. Same when I load a pallet of cement wall blocks or anything heavy in the bed. Make sure you do not connect the bag air lines together. I have each side filler valve mounted next to the wheel wells.

LongBlackRam

The air bags will help more than the swap to 3500 springs. Do your springs have the overload leafs?

Also make sure the trailers tongue weight isn't too much for the hitch. Remember, trailers tow easier when the balance is about 10% heavier at the tongue.

patdaly

Quite a few of the 2500's have the 3500 springs, from what I have been told, the Camper or HD packages that came factory with a rear swaybar already have 3500 springs.

Another vote for Airbags.

nickg

nother vote for air bags

spring will run more and very labour intensive

airbags cheap at 200$ and an hour or two to install

fordrescueunit

Thanks for all the input! It was a idea me and my buddy were talking about, I found the springs for $100 and the labor part really didnt bother me. I dont got the "HD" springs for some dumb reason, heck my 1500's springs looked bigger haha and no rear sway bar on it

SIXSLUG

I looked at a buddy's 3500 dually. His rear springs don't look any different than my 2500 SRW.

We both have the Dana 80 and discs.

If you wanna see a stack of springs check out an F-450 dually.

Bersaglieri

I've got a 2500 that came with 3500 springs [2500 pack with helpers] and a rear sway bar. I've also got firestone airbags. With the bags empty it'll squat till the helpers touch, with the bags aired up it won't touch the helpers. Heaviest I've ever had was 3 tons of gravel in the truck bed, and with the bags aired up it only look like it squated because of the 2" leveling kit. With a stock height front end it would have been just level.

-Dustin-

AirLiftCompany

As others have mentioned, the bags would probably be your best bet as the 3500's can also suffer from sag issues.

If you are looking into the air bags, we do offer kit 57215 for your application.

In the link is the instruction manual which should help to show you what all is involved to mount them to the truck.

Just to let you know, we are also running a $50 rebate on the air bag kits, and an additional $50 rebate on any compressor system if you plan to get one of those as well.

If you have any questions about our products or air bags in general I would be happy to help in any way I can.

Copenhagenjunkie

I went w/ timbrens. I installed w/o the spacer so they won't touch unless I'm pulling a trailer.

joem

+1 for bags, My friend has a 01' with Dana 80 rear and bags. We pulled a 29' toy hauler with a wrangler inside plus a a stack of hay to the roof inside of it plus he had his 12" camper on the back! and the drift boat ontop of the camper! The only thing holding us back was the EGT's. My 12v and dana 70 would have never made it! SPeaking about crazy over the top loads, has anyone ever doubble towed with the hitch hog seen on youtube??

horselady

Just my $.02 worth regarding the 2500 vs 3500 springs. I had a 8800 gvw 2500. I converted it to a dually, didn't have to change the springs, they were the exact same. The 8800 gvw trucks and the 3500s have springs that are 3" wide. Just sold that truck and bought an 01 dually. It has the exact same springs.