How much is the Carli starter Kit, I'm looking at this as well, when you say you pulled the overloads do you mean the one thick leaf spring on the bottom of the spring pack and put in the mini leafs?

 

My vote goes for springs. For the extra coin, you get the better look AND a better ride.

 

Ive installed 4 or 5 sets of top gunz spacers on 2nd and 3rd gens. The way Ive always done it is to jack the truck up and put jack stands under the frame. move the jack to one side of the front axle and raise the axle up, remove the tire, take the shock tower off, remove the shock, if its the passanger side, remove the bolt for the drag bar, remove sway bar link nut, and lower the axle down. Pull the spring out, throw the spacer on top and put it all back together. Repeat on the other side. Make sure you jack the truck up high enough with the jackstands cause it sucks when the axle is lowered all you can get it and the spacer wont go in! Its not bad, my record is 1 hour on a 2nd gen with air tools.

 

Always done it (three times) exactly the same way you describe! And the Springs always go back in tight.... but will go. The axle, at full drop travel, is just short of perfect....without getting into control arm bolts!

Never tried spring compressor but bet it would cut the job time by 1/3rd? Could probably bypass the anti sway bar AND maybe the Track bar too??
Not a big deal (especially if you have a lift and air tools, but without them....?) Took me 30 min to get my trackbar off!
Can you rent spring compressors?

RJ

 

Thanks Djasik! This info should make it easy :-)

Ted

 

You sure can, but I can't guarantee they're strong enough for the spring rate on a CTD

 

I just replaced my factory springs and 2" HBS steel spacers with 2" over coils springs from CSS.
I am actually a bit disappointed that there is not more noticable improvement. Shows up big nicely on washboard dirt roads, but no real difference in rough patches of interstate highways.
I also replaced the bushings on my 3rd Gen Track Bar....which I believe made a much bigger difference. Really tightened up the front end!

But since I did both at the same time....maybe the springs contributed more than I think?? Just can't see exactly how?

RJ

 

Well, it's more noticeable for me I suppose. The 3500 with different springs holds a plow better and doesn't feel as mushy/easy to bottom out when you hit the bigger pot holes.

The front end on my truck feels way too soft for what it's holding. I'm guessing that depending on what springs your truck came with is going to determine how much of a difference you notice.

 

cost me 1450 CAD a little less for you guys down south. the mini pack replaces the thick leaf and i pulled out the 2 overloads on top as well.

 

Where did you get your kit in Canada?

 

I vote for NEITHER!
Leave the front alone and put 3" blocks in the rear. Looks 100x better than a lifted front wth 285/75/16s. Personally the rearend is to high on our trucks.
JMO!!!!

 

ya I just undid everything and compressed the coil and put in the spacer and redid everything ... Pretty simple... I have the older rough country poly spacers... They have updated to steel now..(a buddy has a set)I love mine...