Sag question

[skillet]

My truck has leaf springs and when I haul a yard of gravel, it has too much sag. Would it be stupid to place wooden blocks between the axle and frame before loading the truck bed with gravel, etc., to limit the sag? I'm just looking for a cheap solution when I occasionally have to haul a heavy load. Thanks for any help.

[longbed67]

Thats sounds like a not so good idea... and define cheap... whats your budget?

[TBONE1964]

Cheapest solution that would be safe that I can think of would be air shocks.

[Stocker]

I would not use wood blocks. Air shocks will help, or air bags. I prefer overload leaf springs like these Hellwigs, about $100:


A cheaper alternative (about $30) is coil overloads that attach to the axle housing and contact the bottom of the frame under load. I have used these but now have the Hellwigs pictured above.

[skillet]

Originally Posted by Stocker

I would not use wood blocks. Air shocks will help, or air bags. I prefer overload leaf springs like these Hellwigs, about $100:


A cheaper alternative (about $30) is coil overloads that attach to the axle housing and contact the bottom of the frame under load. I have used these but now have the Hellwigs pictured above.

Just what I was looking for, thanks very much. And thanks very much to everyone.

[skillet]

Originally Posted by Stocker

I would not use wood blocks. Air shocks will help, or air bags. I prefer overload leaf springs like these Hellwigs, about $100:


A cheaper alternative (about $30) is coil overloads that attach to the axle housing and contact the bottom of the frame under load. I have used these but now have the Hellwigs pictured above.

Do you happen to know the part # for those Hellwigs? Thanks again.

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by skillet

Do you happen to know the part # for those Hellwigs? Thanks again.

The single-leaf Hellwigs pictured don't appear to be listed for 67-72 GM trucks. Go to http://www.hellwigproducts.com/ for their entire product line. The ones I bought for my K20 are Load Pro 3-leaf packs rated 2500#, Hellwig p/n 2510 and uses mounting kit p/n 25250. There is also a 3500# 4-leaf pack, p/n 3510 (same mounting kit). 2WD trucks use p/n 2505. These run at least double the price I estimated for the single leaf. At that price, you may want to consider air bags or air shocks. There may be other manufacturers.... Hellwig is just the one I know of.

As others have said, none of these will increase your safe payload beyond the GVWR of your truck. What they will do is keep your truck more level when loaded.

[skillet]

Originally Posted by longbed67

Thats sounds like a not so good idea... and define cheap... whats your budget?

Cheap for me would be making my own stuff or using parts from the wrecking yard. But if none of that would work, I could spend up to $200.

[brad_man_72]

Wood blocks would just make you bottom out the suspension at a higher ride Height. The only advantage would be the front end caster would be closer to what it is with no load.

Overload springs or air shocks get my vote.
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[PanelDeland]

Look in the classifieds for a set of factory helper overloads.Once installed,they're out of the way and only work when the truck is loaded.Best of both worlds,yu get the benefits when you need,but don't have to remember to use them and they sholdn't affect the ride when not loaded.

[SS Tim]

Originally Posted by skillet

My truck has leaf springs and when I haul a yard of gravel, it has too much sag...

Have you considered exactly what you are asking your truck to do?
Have you reviewed the owners handbook load charts? It has a GVW of 5000-lb and base V-8 curb weight is about 3750-lb. With a yard of gravel weighing about 2800-lb (105-lb/sq ft) you are somewhere above 1500-lb overloaded before you even get in the truck. If you have A/C and a step bumper you loose about another 200-lbs of capacity.

[skillet]

Originally Posted by SS Tim

Have you considered exactly what you are asking your truck to do?
Have you reviewed the owners handbook load charts? It has a GVW of 5000-lb and base V-8 curb weight is about 3750-lb. With a yard of gravel weighing about 2800-lb (105-lb/sq ft) you are somewhere above 1500-lb overloaded before you even get in the truck. If you have A/C and a step bumper you loose about another 200-lbs of capacity.

I tried to consider it. What I'm hauling is not really gravel, but expanded shale. I used gravel as the example, cause I wasn't sure if everyone was familiar with expanded shale. Expanded shale weighs 40 lbs. per cubic foot and with 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard that would be 40 X 27 to equal 1080 lbs. for a yard of it.

[Stocker]

Guess I'd better not admit to how much weight I have asked my truck to carry, nor to how many times...


Not that I would advise others to do so, but the truck hasn't complained yet. Well, it may have grumbled a bit, but it handled all I could throw at it (or in it) and lived to do it again. Under that sexy sheetmetal, she's a purty tough old workhorse.

[TBONE1964]

You are not alone Stocker.

I have overloaded a few of my old Chevy's too. Why make two trips. I have had the rear bumper dragging pavement a few times and the old Chevy just did its job like a good Chevy should, not complaints. Sexy and tough in one package, you don't see that anymore.

[kevmcrae]

Little more money than you were wanting to spend. But I put air lift kit on mine. Keep about 9-10lbs in them when not loaded. Get's rid of the saggy look. When I tow or haul I add just enough to level it out. The added benefit that I really like.....it don't have near the body roll I used to so get a much better ride even when not loaded.

[Longhorn 70]

I had a bedload of wet dirt piled as high as the cab in the Longhorn. I had air shocks pumped to the max and have aux leaf springs. The tires hated it had to air the tires to almost 50psi to keep them up. If I was going more than a mile or 2 I'd have been in trouble. every bump made the front of the truck want to switch lanes. Lesson learned. The plywood sides came down for the next 2 loads.

It's not only because loads are heavy the rating is there. Handling and safety come into play.

[71swb4x4]

It appears you are on the right track, but just wanted to remind you that when you modify a vehicle, keep in mind that it isn't only about your safety, it is about the safety of the others on the road. The suspension is designed to keep your tires on the road for maximum traction. When you make changes, make sure you are not hindering that process.
Also, a heavier load means longer stopping distances. Make sure your suspension AND brakes are up to the challenge. It may not be your life that depends on it; it may be the car in front of you, beside you, or even the guy walking across the street not paying attention.