I totally agree with dirtydog on this one... those things look to be bent quite badly.

 

OK, I think we've established that they're bent/worn/fatigued. The next question - where to get new springs for a good price? I'm sure that the Dodge dealer would love to install a pair of springs for $1200 or something like that. I'll install them myself, but I am not sure who makes quality springs and who does not.

Any ideas for on-line retailers? Or, is this something I should buy locally to avoid shipping?

 

yep, you got some warping going on around them axles. Time to call the King...

http://thesuspensionking.com/catalog...n57f5grjm0c111

 

Whatever you do, don't get add-a-leafs with your new springs. They will hinder your semi-smooth ride if that's what you would call a solid rear axle leaf sprung suspension...lol
If you plan on towing or hauling heavy items, get yourself a set of bags. Easy to install and are relatively cheap. ~$200

 

So what kind of difference in ride would I experience going from the regular duty (1700 lb) to the heavy duty (2200 lb). Obviously, it'll ride stiffer, but will it be an extreme difference? It really rides pretty smooth right now, considering that it's a truck.

 

It's smooth because the tension is gone or atleast what they have when new. Going to 2200lbs will put you much stiffer than what you have now. Even the 1700lbs ones you will notice a bouncier ride. Atleast that is what i think. the 2200 ones have an extra leaf in them no?

 

Yeah, the 2200# springs are a "4+1" - 4 curved leaves and an inverted overload leaf. The regular 1700# springs are a "3+1". My friend's 2005 2-dr with the 8 foot bed rides pretty good also, but I don't remember if he has the regular or HD springs.

My truck doesn't seem soft - its still firm but it's pretty smooth and well-controlled. The springs still seem to have plenty of spring, but they got pushed beyond their limit a time or two and have that slight inversion where it mounts to the axle. I guess I could try loading it up and see how they react.

Frankly, I think that once I sort out the worn tires, I'll probably splurge and get a set of springs. I hope to hear from some folks that have the regular and the HD version of OEM springs so that I can get some idea of the ride difference. I'm inclined to go HD because I don't want to be too afraid to load the truck when I need to.

 

I say leave them alone and put shocks on it. If you are set on putting stronger springs in for heavy hauling fine, but airbags will get you to the same place and save your ride quality. Hell, if you were closer I'd trade you springs. Just looking at the truck's ride height tells me that there is nothing wrong with your springs. But as they say, it's your truck..... Good luck.....

 

Tom, I have a 2005 1500 quad cab 4x4 and my springs look just like yours. I have never towed anything and only haul a few light loads here and there. I have recently developed a horrible ride. Bed seems to bounce and vibrate bad. Had wheels balanced and rotated. Didn't help. Put on new Rancho shocks and didn't help. Started to suspect maybe bad leaf springs, but not sure now that I see your springs look like mine. Have taken it a several body places and suspension places and nobody can figure it out. Maybe this is how Dodge springs look?

 

Tom,

Here is a picture of my springs...Sorry, not the best picture..Again I have a 2005 1500 quad cab 4x4...I looked at my friends 2005 1500 quad cab 4x2 with only 25,000 miles on it and his springs look exactly like yours...He doesn't tow/haul anything either, so starting to suspect this is how our springs are supposed to look or there is an issue with them all.