gorms

I've been tinkering with the idea of going for leaf springs up front. I've noticed both the coil seats on the axle are rotting, pass. spring is a little saggy. Also, I think some of my control arm bushings are on their way out. I know it would be much easier to weld in new seats and pop new bushings in, but I used to have an 88 K2500 chevy and I liked the leafs up front. I can't say I don't like the coils, but just looking for maybe something beefier for the plow. Truck rides awful low with the plow up (8ft blade). If I have the 33's on they rub when turning tight. Any insight or experience with leafs is greatly appreciated.

SIXSLUG

Leafs would definitely handle the weight better in my opinion. However, you could get custom coils for the front that are a lot beefier than the heaviest stockers.
Leaves would spread the weight out across two frame points where the ciols focus the load on one point. If you are handy with a torch and welder leaves may be your solution for the extra weight.

Homestead

Converting to leafs on the front can be done but it's a lot of work.

The problem with these trucks is the frame is so wide in the front section that you really won't gain any extra room when the front wheels are turned, they will still rub.

Sure someone will pipe up and say they do it all the time on GM trucks. GM trucks are independent front suspensions....A arms and torsion bars. The front frame sections are narrower to allow for the suspension itself. The narrow section of the frame allows the "new" leaf springs to sit more inboard thus clearing the front wheels at full lock.

The conversion front leaf springs if done on the Dodge will more or less be in the same place as the control arms now, under the frame rails. If you tires rub the control arms, they will rub the front springs.

For the amount of work involved, it would be easier and cheaper to just rebuild what you have with a heavier coil spring or with a little effort, convert the truck over to a coil over kit made for a Super Duty and get a far superior ride. If you plow though, I wouldn't go with the coil overs.

Jeff

gorms

I don't rub the control arms, the offset is a bit large on the second set of wheels I have so they just rub on the rear of the inner fender, only with the plow up. They are 33x12.5x16.5 on I think a 12" wide rim, haven't measured it and they were free to me.

I'm no pro fabricator, but I have done a little framework on other trucks/tractors/etc. so I'm not afraid of the work to be done, if I go that route. And I can also say that the stock setup does work OK for plowing, but I've had the plow for 5 years now and I just feel lucky I haven't broken anything yet, with some of the roads around here. What about heavier control arms, does anyone know of a better alternative to the stamped steel ones we have now?

Hodge

Contact Skyd Ram on this forum. A while back, he quoted me a reasonable price for new custom made control arms. By the sounds of it, they can make whatever you need.

Tate

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...84#post2563784

http://s142.photobucket.com/albums/r...ymore/95Dodge/

infidel

The coil seats were under recall on some years, get them replaced for free if your truck is eligible.
Find out here, you will need your VIN> http://www.dodge.com/webselfservice/...ilForm(%27R%27)