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Need helping picking leaf springs
#569147 June 17th 2012 7:54 pm
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Well today I have decided since I have the money to purchase replacement leaf springs for Walter the van. Walter has 1800# capacity springs, the van is 17 years olds!

I tow from time to time and when I do it's a heavy trailer, 32' travel trailer with a tongue weight of aprox 700#.

I am looking for springs that will give me the extra capacity for the tongue of the trailer but also to stiffen up the overall ride, maybe increase the rear end height a little bit, but also so the spring capacity isn't so high that vehicle roll-over may occur in a emergency situation.

The options I Have are 3, 1800#, 2300#, and 2500#

I have been considering 2300# because they give me 1000# extra capacity from the start and they aren't so high that handling is a pain. The rear end is pretty heavy, I figure since the rear end weighs about 2500# that with 4600# of capacity then the springs will leave me with about 2100# of capacity, then subtract 200# in fuel, and I am left with a 1900# remaining capacity, if I tow then I'm left with 1200# capacity. Of course these are estimates but close enough.

So which so I choose? 2300# or 2500#? I really think 2300# is the best but the 2500# are actually slightly less expensive, but again I don't want to deal with increased chances of vehicle roll-over. I'm guessing the 2500# have a lower spring rate as most times the higher the capacity the lower the spring rate, depending on metal...

So lets here some opinions and or experiences.

Thanks

Re: Need helping picking leaf springs
RamVan2500 #569202 June 17th 2012 11:59 pm
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Anyone?

Re: Need helping picking leaf springs
RamVan2500 #569217 June 18th 2012 1:53 am
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I would go with 2500 pounds. A few years back I upgraded the rear springs on my brother's 83 Dodge shorty van. It was built originally with the weakest springs available- a paltry 1200 pound rating. Between then and the time my brother purchased the van, it was used at least for a short time as a construction rig. Then my brother got it and used it (seriously used) as the hauling rig for his various bands. Five adults and all their music gear. So, needless to say a few years ago the rear springs were sagging bad enough to need to be replaced.

I replaced the springs with the heaviest duty 1/2 ton rated springs available. I got "new" springs off of a 97 conversion van. These springs were rated at 1900 pounds. Yes, both vans were 1/2 ton chassis, but Dodge put a number of different spring packages under the 1/2 ton label.

My brother's van sits 1 inch higher, rides better, handles better, and is all around BETTER with the 1900 pound springs. If you tow a lot, you will like the heavier springs. The rear will sit a touch higher, the van will handle better, and it will ride better. Go with the 2500 rated springs.


Windows- they're what make a van worth owning!
Re: Need helping picking leaf springs
Reed #569218 June 18th 2012 3:14 am
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I was starting to consider going with the 2500's because like you said the extra load capacity and I don't tow often but atleast once a year and it's a pretty serious trailer 700# tongue. Just that when I'm not towing I don't want the vehicle to be more likely the flip or to slide when cornering hard. I also realize the ride with be harder because the extra springs won't flex as easily which is ok as long as it doesn't ride like the tank lol. What I want is something of science. A stiff ride but is soft when taking bumps. But so far I have the 2500s on my mind and they're cheaper then the 2300 I was planning on getting, I figure there is only a 400# difference in total between 2300 and 2500...

I'm running 1800s and the rear end is heavy mainly because I have a 127" WB and it's a conversion van.

What do you think about polyurethane bushings versus rubber? I understand rubber is suppose to isolate vibrations a little better but urethane lasts longer... If I'm going with stiff springs you think I should go with rubber bushings to helps soften the feeling of the ride?

Re: Need helping picking leaf springs
RamVan2500 #569227 June 18th 2012 6:33 am
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I added 2 leafs and longer u bolts to mine and it worked Great


Everyday above ground is a Good Day!!!
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Re: Need helping picking leaf springs
RamVan2500 #569232 June 18th 2012 6:44 am
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This has me curious as to what springs my 94 has. It's a 250 with a conversion package.


Nate Breece
Re: Need helping picking leaf springs
RamVan2500 #569279 June 18th 2012 11:22 am
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RamVan2500- I would go with rubber bushings. I just don't like poly bushings in anything but an autcross car. I like soft comfortable rides.

Nate- the best thing to do is to get a copy of the parts manual for your year. Here is the page from my 1983 parts manual listing all the spring rates for the 150 and 250 series vans:

[Linked Image]

Sorry about the small picture. Right clock or control click and open the picture in a new window for a bigger view.

The thing to watch out for is that after a certain spring rating the rear shackle changes. The shackles mount the same to the van, but you have to use matching shackles and spring hangers.


Windows- they're what make a van worth owning!
Re: Need helping picking leaf springs
Reed #569312 June 18th 2012 1:23 pm
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Yea rubber but they don't last very long... Wish there was some material that got the best of both worlds ya know what I mean...

Only thing about rubber is I would have to replace them every so many years. But I would probably do that.

Well I'm going to have to do some more thinking, I just don't know how the 2500# will react. Even if I just got 1800# that are on there now, the ride would be 100% difference because my springs I have now are 17 years fatiqued. Let alone throwing 2500# springs, I would have to get use to the new handling.

I wonder with 2500# springs how much the rear end would go down when I put my trailer on the hitch, trailer with 700# tongue. I tried to use proportions to figure out how much weight is shifted from the front to the back but when applying proportions to a vehicle you basically get a teeter tooter result. Basically add 700 lbs on the rear, it removes about 200 from the front which is bull.

Re: Need helping picking leaf springs
RamVan2500 #569314 June 18th 2012 1:27 pm
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There are some very high quality air bag systems out there, like Firestone's Ride Rite. They work as a supplement to your factory springs and can be adjusted to fit your needs. Many of their kits are "no drill" bolt on. I ran these on my small wreckers, loved them. I will be putting a set on my Dodge sometime in the near future.


Chuck

1988 Dodge B250 "Bloody Mary"

Shenandoah Valley Vans



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