I have a 99 1500 4wd ext short bed. If I put springs rated for a 2500 will it be a stiffer, rougher ride? Will it carry a load better and not sag as much as with the springs rated of a 1500? Will it raise the rear end?

 

Rear springs off a 2500 will not fit on a 1500 without welding modifications. Look online and get an add a leaf for a 1500 or try these ,a lot of folks like them. http://timbren.com/

 

You actually don't need to weld. But you do have to cut the rivets off of the hangar and put a 2500 3in hangar on it with grade 8 bolts

 

the perches on the axle tubes are only 2-1/2 wide. i think that was what HY was talking about welding.

unless you were getting junkyard 2500 springs for little to nothing, and you were looking at buying new springs - new springs for the 1500 can be had in 3+1, 4+1, and 5+1 configurations for about the same price. the 5+1 will be pretty much the same as the 2500 and will shake the eyeballs right out of your head.

if you just want to occasionally tow a boat or haul a load of firewood, get the timbrens. they're great.

 

This is true. I just assumed you would upgrade to a 2500 axle.

I have the timbrens and can personally vouch for them. They are great

 

zman and I are interchangeable now?

 

So checked timbren out sounds good but which would be better timbren or replacing the springs whats going to be a better ride?

 

ride and load are two different things.

here's more info on timbren. https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...installed.html

2500 springs are 3 inches wide and require you to modify the shackles or spring perches or the entire axle housing. that's a good bit of work. load capacity will be very high. ride quality is low.

add-a-leaf or adding your own leaves requires you to remove the spring packs, add leaves, maybe get longer u-bolts and center bolts. reinstall. load capacity is increased, ride quality is decreased some, depending on how many leaves you add.

replacing your spring packs with new one's will eliminate any lop-sided lean that you might have. you can buy different spring configs. the heavier the spring, the stiffer the ride.

timbren installs with an air gap to provide normal stock ride when unloaded. when you load the truck down onto the rubber spring, then and only then is your ride quality affected. if you install the extra rubber spring or for whatever reason you're in contact with the timbren, then your ride quality drops. i tried it, but i thought it was a little stiff.

 

Truck doesn't lean at all with no weight in truck bed or pulling anything truck sit fine, with a load it sags bad was like looking to help the ride and sagging problem still don't know witch way to go someone tell me please.

 

Sounds like the timbren system would be the way to go. 1500s don't like much weight behind them on stock springs. My answer for the sagging was to find some small airbags from a semi truck sleeper and build mounts for them. I only aired them up when I was towing something. Worked well until I started over heating the rear end.
Now my 1500 cab is on a 2500 frame and I'm loving it.