Cowhand,

I want stiffer because the OEM springs I have now are the weakest rated they put on the CTD trucks. #38 (passenger side) and #39 (drivers side) as far as I know... I've never seen or heard of another CTD with weaker.

Check out the spring ratings on dodgeram: http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/specs/springs.htm

They are pathetic!! I can hit the bumpstops just exiting parking lots if I'm not careful and I don't abuse the truck in general. Their load ratings are very close to maxed out with the weight of the truck and the Cummins. I don't even have an aftermarket bumper or anything else up front and they just don't hold up. They don't give me confidence either like a firmer spring would.

So when I say "much stiffer", I'm not talking about rock hard. I just want something that is rated several hundred pounds stiffer... say 30-35% stiffer than what I have now... like the OEM springs #47 and #48 that should have come on the truck to begin with. To me, 30% stiff is "much stiffer". At this load rating, my front end components will be just fine.

Thanks for your sharing experience with CSS. I'll be a bit more patient.

Steve

 

GP--

It's quite possible that SJ has redesigned the springs since I bought mine. I bought mine in late 2003, so maybe they've changed.

Based on your description of the "new" D25s, it sounds like they are much improved.

jlh

 

Steve,

Be happy you have the soft springs. I had a 39 and a 46 stock, and I paid good money to have CSS build me a softer spring. My coils are around 360-370 lbs per inch. I might eventually go a little softer.

What you need to keep from bottoming out is a QUALITY shock to control the spring, in other words, to control the speed at which the spring compresses. The best solution is to go with a taller soft spring and back it up with a good shock, like a Bilstein 5100. That way you get more suspension travel and a better ride.

Going with a stiffer coil is only going to make your ride quality worse and rattle your molars loose. You can compensate for a stiff coil with a lighter valved shock, basically set up dead on compression and valved stiff for rebound, but this involves going to a custom valved shock....$$$$

It's easier and cheaper to go with a softer coil and an off the shelf shock....

 

You've given me something to think about Cowhand.

I wonder what an OEM #39 spring is rated in lbs / inch just for comparison to what you have now.

I upgraded to Gabriel Mono-tube Max Control shocks a few months ago and they seem OK but not quite the feel I was going for - seems too soft still for my preferences. I wonder what standard Bilsteins would feel like with the OEM springs I have. I heard 5100s were only for lifted trucks. If I get a pair of CSS springs that are 1.5" taller, the 5100's would probably be my choice.

Just so you know, on my previous truck, a Furd F250, my front leaf springs were sagging after 6 years so I added a leaf and had them re-arched for a total of 3 leaves. It put the front about .5 inches taller than the rear and really firmed it up. I had Rancho 5000s put on and I definitely liked the firmness of the combo. I'm trying to achieve the same thing here.

On the Ram, I want a bit more travel up front to help in not bottoming out as easy and also to raise the nose up a bit. Don't like the saggy look of OEM. Hopefully it won't cost me an arm. I'll see what CSS says... sounds like I need to have more conversation with them if anything.

Steve

 

Steve,

You're on the right track. Do a search here on Bilstein, I saw someone post the part numbers recently.

The 39 spring is 442#/in., my springs are ~360.