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-   -   Dual Purpose leaf springs? (https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/forums/3rd-generation-ram-non-drivetrain-all-years-101/dual-purpose-leaf-springs-191762/)

JeepManIowa 02-12-2008 06:46 AM

Dual Purpose leaf springs?
 
Who all is using the Dual Purpose leaf springs?

Are they much better than the stock springs and or mini-packs.

I have done a search here and on other forums, and only a few people appear to be using them. Just want to make sure they are worthwhile.

Anybody in Iowa/Central Iowa that are using them?

Thanks.

Bob
Cumming, Iowa

Rednecktastic 02-12-2008 10:09 AM

I probably should have spent the extra few hundred and got them instead of the leaf packs... Although the leaf packs help a lot... I've heard the dual purpose help much more.

alwaysfaded 02-12-2008 10:44 AM

full leafs are really different then stock much more control

RD TRCTR 02-12-2008 01:54 PM

What are dual purpose leaf springs?

enafzige 02-12-2008 02:35 PM

I've got the Lorenz dual purpose leafs, and love 'em! They even made a greater difference in ride quality than the IR coils in the front.

They ride great, take the jar out of bumps, and do pretty decent at carrying a load. I could tell a big difference before I even made it out of the driveway...it's that big of an improvement!

However, I have 3 tool boxes in the bed of my truck, laden with chains, binders, come-a-long, tools, etc. With around 1,000 pounds of extra weight in the bed, the front end is slightly higher than the rear. When loading the bed up with another 1,500 lbs of firewood, and hooking to the bumper-pull trailer, the rear sags pretty good, even with the extra stops engaged.

The dual purpose leafs offer an incredible ride, but if you haul/tow heavy, a good set of long-travel air bags is probably the right way to go.

It's hard to describe the difference, but here's some pictures comparing stock vs. dual purpose springs. Note I have a 3500 SRW, so the stock springs include the overload pack.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/4...6100Ucs2jdo5Yo

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/4...6100Ucs2jdo5Yo

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/4...6100Ucs2jdo5Yo

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/4...6100Ucs2jdo5Yo

Before:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/4...6100Ucs2jdo5Yo

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/4...6100Ucs2jdo5Yo

After:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/4...6100Ucs2jdo5Yo

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/4...6100Ucs2jdo5Yo

--Eric

DUKFVR 02-12-2008 02:42 PM

Eric, Great looking Truck!!!

JeepManIowa 02-12-2008 02:43 PM

Eric,
Thanks for the response. Too bad Tennessee isn't closer to Iowa.
I only tow my Jeep maybe 4 or 5 times a year, so I'm looking for a better spring pack for DD duties. I can buy airbags if I need the extra support for towing.


Thanks.

Bob

B-rock 02-13-2008 02:18 AM

Lorenz now has a newer style of DP leaf out. This is them sitting in my garage.

http://a412.ac-images.myspacecdn.com...5a09381d1b.jpg

http://a924.ac-images.myspacecdn.com...36c9c232c3.jpg

http://a778.ac-images.myspacecdn.com...eb87fe5e39.jpg

http://a68.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/...b40a8515f3.jpg

http://a793.ac-images.myspacecdn.com...8a04eae870.jpg

http://a938.ac-images.myspacecdn.com...82969948c9.jpg

JeepManIowa 02-13-2008 06:15 AM

B-Rock,
Put those babies on your truck and give me a "first impression". I don't mind spending the money, I just want to make sure it is a definite improvement. I only tow 5 or 6 times a year, so I want a better DD ride.

Thanks for the post/w pics.

Later,

Bob Rees
Cumming, Iowa

B-rock 02-13-2008 06:29 AM

ohhh they'r on! and yes there is a big improvment. now the front feels harsh in comparison, while going over speed humps at say 30 35 mph.

I added air bag's at the same time as well. I figured as long as I was under there I would go ahead and do it. I honestly dont have any plans to haul anything in my truck soon.

I dont feel much change in the ride with the slower or smaller bumps, but its the larger ones that it makes the biggest difference.

Id say go for it, Just make sure you have someone to help ya, Its NOT an easy job by yourself... ask me how I know.

JeepManIowa 02-13-2008 06:43 AM

B-rock,

My concern is on my normal commute the blacktop road has some seams in it where it might be 1 to 2 inch higher than the surrounding blacktop. Everytime I go over those it "jolts" the truck. I'm trying to improve that.
I already have the Lorenz "minipacks", but it made it worse than stock, at least in that area.

Thanks for your feedback.

Bob

B-rock 02-13-2008 07:00 AM

I have the lorenz bilstein kit, the truck seemed equaly stiff front and rear, Now the front is definatly more stiff then the rear, yet the rear is stiff enought not to get a squishy feeling either.

way up north 02-13-2008 07:04 AM

Nice. At the risk of getting off topic, I'de like to share what I did on the front end of my truck. I had a 96 for 11 years and every time I drove over the Trans-Labrador highwy, which includes 500 miles of dirt road, the front end jarred terribly on the bumps and potholes. Then I got my 07 and it was exactlly the same.
My son took over the 96 and put a heavy snow-plow on it and also a set of Timbrens to help carry the plow. Last fall I accompanied him over the highway (no plow) and was amazed at the difference the timbrens made to that truck. So I put a set on the front end of the 07 and can't believe the difference it has made to it. You can't forget that you are on a dirt road, but when you hit a hole a bit faster than you would have liked to, you don't get that bone-jarring, bottoming-out bang. And going down the highway (paved) you don't notice any difference from stock.

B-rock 02-13-2008 07:20 AM


Originally Posted by way up north (Post 1943408)
Nice. At the risk of getting off topic, I'de like to share what I did on the front end of my truck. I had a 96 for 11 years and every time I drove over the Trans-Labrador highwy, which includes 500 miles of dirt road, the front end jarred terribly on the bumps and potholes. Then I got my 07 and it was exactlly the same.
My son took over the 96 and put a heavy snow-plow on it and also a set of Timbrens to help carry the plow. Last fall I accompanied him over the highway (no plow) and was amazed at the difference the timbrens made to that truck. So I put a set on the front end of the 07 and can't believe the difference it has made to it. You can't forget that you are on a dirt road, but when you hit a hole a bit faster than you would have liked to, you don't get that bone-jarring, bottoming-out bang. And going down the highway (paved) you don't notice any difference from stock.


Was that wth a stock height truck? If so then thats because you are actualy bottoming the trucks front suspension out. with a leveling kit, like I have there is now more room for the suspension to travel before bottoming out. All I see the timberans do is limit the already limited amount of travel.

JeepManIowa 02-13-2008 07:29 AM

Since I already have the "Lorenz 5100 system w/mini packs", I think I will try different rear shocks before I spend more money chasing a dream. I still have the stock rear shocks, so it will only cost me time.

I just wish somebody in Iowa had the DP springs so "I could get a hands-on impression" before spending money needlessly.

Keep the posts/opinions coming.

way up north 02-13-2008 09:24 AM


Originally Posted by B-rock (Post 1943433)
Was that wth a stock height truck? If so then thats because you are actualy bottoming the trucks front suspension out. with a leveling kit, like I have there is now more room for the suspension to travel before bottoming out. All I see the timberans do is limit the already limited amount of travel.

Truck is completely stock. I know what you're saying, but remember the stock bump stops are very rigid, like steel almost. Timbrens are suspension enhancement units. The rubber is completely different and works with the suspension to cushion the shock

Rednecktastic 02-13-2008 09:44 AM

heck, I think the stock bumpstops are steel.

I know with my stock springs I could easily bottom out the front of the truck on a regular basis. I think I might have once bottomed it out with my new springs.... And that was me accidently driving off a 2 foot drop one night trying to find parking in the dirt :o .

firemansdiesel 02-13-2008 11:42 AM


Originally Posted by JeepManIowa (Post 1943396)
B-rock,

My concern is on my normal commute the blacktop road has some seams in it where it might be 1 to 2 inch higher than the surrounding blacktop. Everytime I go over those it "jolts" the truck. I'm trying to improve that.
I already have the Lorenz "minipacks", but it made it worse than stock, at least in that area.

Thanks for your feedback.

Bob

Those are the dreaded expansion joints we talk about. Usually found on freeways. To a point, I would not even drink a cup of coffee (w/o spilling) and carry on a conversation w/ the front passenger. They are so bad.

The mini leafs help a little especially on washboard roads and keeping the *** end from sliding around. The full leafs cut the expansion joints down pretty darn good. You will still feel it because it is a truck, but w/ good valved shocks along w/ the full leafs. Your money will be well spent. [guitar]

JeepManIowa 02-13-2008 12:29 PM

firemansdiesel,

Thanks for the input. Compared to stock suspension, on a scale of 1-5 (5 being best), what would you rate the "smoothness" of the DP leaves.

Thanks.

Bob

firemansdiesel 02-13-2008 12:55 PM


Originally Posted by JeepManIowa (Post 1943875)
firemansdiesel,

Thanks for the input. Compared to stock suspension, on a scale of 1-5 (5 being best), what would you rate the "smoothness" of the DP leaves.

Thanks.

Bob

I don't have Sean's DP Leafs (so I can't speak for those), but I do have KORE's Full Leafs. I will go w/ a scale of 1-10 (10 being awesome). My Fox 2.0's w/ full leafs are a 7 over stock. Which stock is like a 2 at best.

Now if I had better shocks in the rear and can be valved w/o compromise w/ on/off road good ride. It would be a 9-10 on the scale. :o

I have heard from others that Sean's Dual Purpose are great riding leafs w/ a soft ride. I figure you would get a better ride w/ the 2.25 Sway-a-Ways than the 5100's on the Dual Purpose.

JeepManIowa 02-13-2008 01:01 PM

firemansdiesel,

Thanks again. I have to go out and chop down another money tree.
I hate it when I have to do that. :)

I'm getting closer to making the decision. Have a road trip coming up in 4 weeks, so I need to decide in the next two weeks.

nriver 02-13-2008 08:51 PM

i have the Lorenz DP springs. They make for a great ride. No more bumping and hacking. Expansion joints are almost a thing of the past.

applied_gravity 02-13-2008 10:32 PM

As an alternative, I've been quite pleased with my superspring brand overloads - pretty easy install, they just bolt on, and come with a money back guarantee if you don't like them -

In addition to some extra load capacity, they serve to put the factory springs under a bit more tension at all times, and really tighten up/smooth out the unloaded ride, difference on the expansion joint deal is night and day; I found that they made more of a difference in ride quality than the rancho shocks I added later.

Note on install, with a 2500 you will need the installation bracket, with a 3500 you will not, but will need a small adapter plate that fits over the factory overloads.

good luck!

Bill

JeepManIowa 02-18-2008 09:19 AM

Ordered my DP springs today. Hopefully will have time to get installed before a 3000 mile roundtrip to Mesa,AZ.


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