Adding Leaf Springs

MikeHulbert · 02-10-2009, 06:51 PM

I have a 2004 1500 Z71. I am a professional fisherman, who travels a TON with big boat and LOTS of gear. My boat is 20 ft, and comes in around 3000 pounds, add a bed full of gear, clothes, etc...and the truck squats more than I would like. The boat hardly ever, like maybe 5 times, comes off my truck May-December.

Should I simply go to a dealership and explain that I want another leaf spring, add something simple that one of you might know about, look for something else???

What are you thoughts??? With spring right around the corner, I would like to get this done pretty quicky.

Thanks!

bradrhale · 02-10-2009, 07:08 PM

go buy yourself a set of overload springs. you will despise them the first time you dont have a load, but i promise you that no matter how much weight you put back there, she wont squat.

75K30 · 02-10-2009, 07:09 PM

Not so sure that hitting the dealership is going to be the best alternative, and this would probably not be a cost efective option.
Several ways to go about this, and you can either add a helper spring, air bags, or other type of load leveling device.
Your Z-71 has a block under the spring in the rear, so depending on how far your truck is being tasked, you can add that amount to the block. In other words, if you have a 3 inch block now, and you want toraise the ride heigth an inch, just replace the block with a 4 inch block. 4 inches is about the limit, but again, there are plenty of options.
An other option would be to just install some new rear leafs from a heavier duty truck. All of these trucks use a 64 inch spring, so they are interchangeable.
if you have a 1500 spring, then maybe a spring from a 2500 truck would work.

batty1214 · 02-10-2009, 07:10 PM

you could look into a airbag setup. they work well, and you can get a set that you have to manually air up or down using your home compressor for fairly cheap, or go all the way and get the onboard air compressor. With the airbags, you don't sacrifice ride as much as some other methods, as you can adjust them for the load your carrying. This is only my opinion, but Its the way I would go.

MikeHulbert · 02-10-2009, 08:01 PM

Any advice as to where I can get a pair from a 2500 or a 3500 so I can put them on my truck?

Or what brand of "over load" springs do you recommend?

I appreciate your help.

Hulbert

leolkfrm · 02-10-2009, 08:08 PM

go to camping world and get a set of air bags for it!

wild bill · 02-10-2009, 09:15 PM

if you go with timbren ses suspension enhancement boosters you get more bang for the buck ,and you can put them on your self .no maintenance required . Vehicle Suspension Kits - Timbren Suspension Enhancement Systems

bradrhale · 02-11-2009, 06:48 AM

for 2500 and 3500 springs, check out some of the local junk yards. as for the overloads, there is a trailer place here in town that has them by the dozens. what happens is these people by them thinking that it will help, which they do, but they dont like the ride it gives you when you are unloaded. so they give them back and they sell them for dirt cheap. might check around for something like that.

75K30 · 02-11-2009, 12:33 PM

I use 2500 leafs under my old ford truck. These 64 inch springs are pretty easy to find. Some local junk yards will have them, but because of the year, they are still pretty new, and some yards will sell them for a little too much.
For the price of a few cold adult beverages, you can score some leafs at your local off road shop. Yup, many guys opt for completely new leafs leaving the old ones as good candidates for an upgrade.
Often these are thrown away or just set aside for a rainy day. There is not much desire for these springs other than replacements, and this market is slim.
You happen to be one of the guys that needs these and you can take full advantage if you can find some of these jewels.
You may offer to pay the shop for installing them and they wil strike a deal with you.
I often show up with a couple of large pizzas, or cold beverages, and ask for the scrap parts. The cooperation is unbeliaveable.
You can get some springs for a real good deal using this method.
No kidding, it works. Worst case, the shop will be able to help you with your situation, and this is still a win win deal.

Erock80 · 02-11-2009, 01:40 PM

Mike, I guess you're questions have pretty much been answered, so I'm not even sure if I should bother here. But, I tow a boat with my truck too, and didn't want' the "squat" so I just took the old "1500" leaf springs out - simple job really - and put in a nice set of new 2500 springs. That was it. Couldn't have been simpler, and no squat.

02-10-2009, 06:51 PM	#1
MikeHulbert Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 4	Adding Leaf Springs I have a 2004 1500 Z71. I am a professional fisherman, who travels a TON with big boat and LOTS of gear. My boat is 20 ft, and comes in around 3000 pounds, add a bed full of gear, clothes, etc...and the truck squats more than I would like. The boat hardly ever, like maybe 5 times, comes off my truck May-December. Should I simply go to a dealership and explain that I want another leaf spring, add something simple that one of you might know about, look for something else??? What are you thoughts??? With spring right around the corner, I would like to get this done pretty quicky. Thanks!

02-10-2009, 08:08 PM	#6
leolkfrm Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: N.Y. Posts: 4,300	go to camping world and get a set of air bags for it! __________________ 4 wheels move the body 2 wheels move the soul B.W.A.I

02-10-2009, 09:15 PM	#7
wild bill Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: davenport iowa 52806 Posts: 246	springs if you go with timbren ses suspension enhancement boosters you get more bang for the buck ,and you can put them on your self .no maintenance required . Vehicle Suspension Kits - Timbren Suspension Enhancement Systems

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02-10-2009, 07:08 PM	#2
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 8,030	go buy yourself a set of overload springs. you will despise them the first time you dont have a load, but i promise you that no matter how much weight you put back there, she wont squat.

02-10-2009, 07:09 PM	#3
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,992	Not so sure that hitting the dealership is going to be the best alternative, and this would probably not be a cost efective option. Several ways to go about this, and you can either add a helper spring, air bags, or other type of load leveling device. Your Z-71 has a block under the spring in the rear, so depending on how far your truck is being tasked, you can add that amount to the block. In other words, if you have a 3 inch block now, and you want toraise the ride heigth an inch, just replace the block with a 4 inch block. 4 inches is about the limit, but again, there are plenty of options. An other option would be to just install some new rear leafs from a heavier duty truck. All of these trucks use a 64 inch spring, so they are interchangeable. if you have a 1500 spring, then maybe a spring from a 2500 truck would work.

02-10-2009, 07:10 PM	#4
batty1214 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Vernal Utah Posts: 1,135	you could look into a airbag setup. they work well, and you can get a set that you have to manually air up or down using your home compressor for fairly cheap, or go all the way and get the onboard air compressor. With the airbags, you don't sacrifice ride as much as some other methods, as you can adjust them for the load your carrying. This is only my opinion, but Its the way I would go.

02-10-2009, 08:01 PM	#5
MikeHulbert Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 4	Any advice as to where I can get a pair from a 2500 or a 3500 so I can put them on my truck? Or what brand of "over load" springs do you recommend? I appreciate your help. Hulbert

02-11-2009, 06:48 AM	#8
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 8,030	for 2500 and 3500 springs, check out some of the local junk yards. as for the overloads, there is a trailer place here in town that has them by the dozens. what happens is these people by them thinking that it will help, which they do, but they dont like the ride it gives you when you are unloaded. so they give them back and they sell them for dirt cheap. might check around for something like that.

02-11-2009, 12:33 PM	#9
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,992	I use 2500 leafs under my old ford truck. These 64 inch springs are pretty easy to find. Some local junk yards will have them, but because of the year, they are still pretty new, and some yards will sell them for a little too much. For the price of a few cold adult beverages, you can score some leafs at your local off road shop. Yup, many guys opt for completely new leafs leaving the old ones as good candidates for an upgrade. Often these are thrown away or just set aside for a rainy day. There is not much desire for these springs other than replacements, and this market is slim. You happen to be one of the guys that needs these and you can take full advantage if you can find some of these jewels. You may offer to pay the shop for installing them and they wil strike a deal with you. I often show up with a couple of large pizzas, or cold beverages, and ask for the scrap parts. The cooperation is unbeliaveable. You can get some springs for a real good deal using this method. No kidding, it works. Worst case, the shop will be able to help you with your situation, and this is still a win win deal.

02-11-2009, 01:40 PM	#10
Erock80 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Rochester NY Posts: 104	Mike, I guess you're questions have pretty much been answered, so I'm not even sure if I should bother here. But, I tow a boat with my truck too, and didn't want' the "squat" so I just took the old "1500" leaf springs out - simple job really - and put in a nice set of new 2500 springs. That was it. Couldn't have been simpler, and no squat.