72 1/2 ton 4x4 ?

[flashed]

I pulled a trailer yesterday hauling a truck for the first time and it really caused the rear end to squat down badly .I want to add some helper springs ,where do I start ?

[mongocanfly]

I would add some air bag helpers...I've got them on 3 of my trucks now...they work great...when aired down you never know there on the truck..only drawback is you need a air source but I've got one of those small 12v compressors that also works great.
the first set I had was firestone and they leaked..I've got all airmaxx now and have had no issues...

[flashed]

Will that work on a leaf spring truck ?

[mongocanfly]

like this.. unless you find one specific to your truck...http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rear-Air-Bag...-/121612192398

[mongocanfly]

on my 99 and my 13 1/2ton trucks they are the bolt on kit...on my 81 1ton I used the weld on kit

[flashed]

That seems to be an option or add a leaf .

[flashed]

Got any pics of the bolt on versions installed ?

[mongocanfly]

this is under my 13 z71...

[flashed]

Very helpful ,Thankyou .

[Stocker]

Another option - I have LP-35 overloads on my K20. http://www.hellwigproducts.com/produ...ad-pro-series/

[snj8198]

Originally Posted by Stocker

Another option - I have LP-35 overloads on my K20. http://www.hellwigproducts.com/produ...ad-pro-series/

I have the LP-25 overloads. Over the spring overloads are much better riding than under spring overloads and they allow you to adjust tension for control.

Airbags are great as they allow adjustable control over the load and empty ride is unaffected but they are the priciest option.

Underspring overload springs are the cheapest option but offer the worst empty ride as they always have the rear springs stiff.

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by snj8198

I have the LP-25 overloads. Over the spring overloads are much better riding than under spring overloads and they allow you to adjust tension for control.

Airbags are great as they allow adjustable control over the load and empty ride is unaffected but they are the priciest option.

Underspring overload springs are the cheapest option but offer the worst empty ride as they always have the rear springs stiff.

Well said and I agree on all points.

[flashed]

Any idea of cost for the LP-25 overloads as I saw no pricing ?

[mongocanfly]

found these flashed..https://www.summitracing.com/search/...MobileSwitchNo

[flashed]

Thanks guys .

[special-K]

I've used the Air Lift auxiliary springs (air bags) in a few applications. That add up to 1500# extra of true capacity when aired up and it's like they aren't there when aired down. I have used them on a 1t '92 rather than re-arch the tired leafs. I leveled the truck back up, w/o making ride harsh, and had better than new towing abilityby adding air.

I never used an onboard compressor. I'd air up at home before the haul or stop at a service station when out. Add-A-Leafs I feel do very little toward adding capacity. At least that's my experience. I've never used the helper springs, but adding capacity is their purpose and Hellwig makes stuff that works. Add-A-Leafs are about the lift

[mongocanfly]

and another plus to the bags is I can comtrol the height of my truck depending on the load....4 wheeler in bed doesn't need as much air as my 20ft trailer with a load on it...whatever the load I just air up til truck sits level..
and if I'm not at home I just use my cigarette lighter air pump...

[snj8198]

I pull 10,000 lbs regularly with my pickup. I have 2" Tuff Country EZ rides with the LP 25 OL's in the pic. I have rolled across the scales at 19,890 with a fifth wheel. The truck weighs 6,200lbs. I hit the bolts with a ratchet when i want more preload and back them off when i dont. The only thing i recommend is keeping a bit of preload on those springs even when not loaded because if not they will bounce off the spring pack. This happened to me on back road/off road and over wash board. Other than that they have worked very well for the price.

[abig84]

Originally Posted by special-K

I've used the Air Lift auxiliary springs (air bags) in a few applications. That add up to 1500# extra of true capacity when aired up and it's like they aren't there when aired down. I have used them on a 1t '92 rather than re-arch the tired leafs. I leveled the truck back up, w/o making ride harsh, and had better than new towing abilityby adding air.

I never used an onboard compressor. I'd air up at home before the haul or stop at a service station when out. Add-A-Leafs I feel do very little toward adding capacity. At least that's my experience. I've never used the helper springs, but adding capacity is their purpose and Hellwig makes stuff that works. Add-A-Leafs are about the lift

yep same.

try to buy a set of airbags from a company that warranties them for life, mine started cracking after like 4-5 years, i had the original box just not the receipt and they replaced them free of charge

[andyh1956]

I have bags on my Duramax. I paid a little extra & got a set w/ jouncers inside so they can be run 0 psi if need be & won't hurt the bags. I forget if Air Lift or Firestone...

[special-K]

I didn't know that was offered. What's the minimum pressure, 80psi? I don't remember it being enough to affect the ride. Still a nice feature.

[mongocanfly]

80psi? nonono..them things would be aired all the way up..aired down pressure for the firestones is 5psi recommended. .

[mongocanfly]

this is from their site.
When not needed the minimum air pressure you need to keep in Ride Rite air bags is*5 psi*to prevent them from damaging themselves. When you are towing you basically want to inflate the bags till the suspension on your vehicle sits level again. Whatever psi accomplishes that would be the correct amount.

[abig84]

Originally Posted by special-K

I didn't know that was offered. What's the minimum pressure, 80psi? I don't remember it being enough to affect the ride. Still a nice feature.

on the air ride bags i use if i pump them up to 30psi it lifts the back of the truck up like 2 inches, thats usually where i set it at when pulling a car/truck on the trailer really levels it out. i think 60 was the max.

the directions really dont give you a setting you just kinda try different pressures and see what works, i usually have them at 10 when im empty

[special-K]

It's been a while since I've used them. I just remembered the 80psi number. Makes sense that would be pretty dang inflated. I've used them inside coils as well as the auxiliary ones with leafs. want to get some for my '72 once I deal with the rear suspension. I lifted by using add-a-leafs and 2" blocks due to low budget. I didn't like the fit of the u-bolts with blocks so I went with Ruff Stuff top plates and u-bolts. Real HD stuff, but now the plates bottom out with a modest load. I also was concerned that EZ-rides may not handle as much weight, yet didn't want a harsh ride. I'll go with the 4" EZ-rides and air bags at some point. Them there are the tight riding front springs I bought. Don't want hard front/soft rear, so need front EZ-rides. In the end, it is costing more to be cheap.