This winter, I have been hauling wood for my wood stove and everytime I fill the rear with wood, the suspension bottoms out. Has anyone else had this same problem and/or replaced the shocks? Suggestions welcome.

 

I would not try a shock replacement unless it was an air shock. Shocks are designed to arrest suspension movement, not as a lift. My first thoughts would be to use "add-a-leafs" which would be more towards something of a progressive suspension component. As the leafs compress or bend, the add a leafs start coming in to add more spring to the leaf pack. To my thinking there is only a couple of options. Air shocks that can be pumped up when you need more resistance, air bags that replace the shocks entirely, add a leafs that are more progressive, coil over shocks that essentially add more spring to the package, making a rougher ride, add an actaul leaf to the spring pack which will make the ride rougher also.

My vote gets the "add-a-leafs" that are added on to the stock spring pack. They're not there when you're empty, they add spring as you add weight.

Here's a starting point----http://store.summitracing.com/egnsea...115+4294843208

Hope this helps a little

 

I have experienced this too. I think all the 1500's are a little soft in the rear. Fishin is right. Leafs are the best and probably the cheapest fix.

 

bags are more $$ but help ALOT.

 

Thanks, I will look into getting these. It is soft in the rear as my friends F150 had about the same amount of wood in his and it looked a little lower but it had hardly budged.... My previous dakota was like that as well.

 

Yeah.... it's not that bad when it's just wood, but when I loaded up my long bed with some limestone, I was riding around maxed out. Every little bump = many ups & downs. Luckily I was only hauling them about a mile. Shouldn't have done any real damage, should it have?

 

JCWhitney has something to correct that..... if i find it, i'll get you the link....

 

Just do a search on any major part distributors website for helper springs.

 

I think Im going to do the add a leaf from summit. I have a pressure washing company and I pull a 16ft trailer. what I like about the add a leaf is that you maintain a factory ride but when you load it down your helpers kick in. I put a tarp in my bed once and flled it with water... wow!!!!! that really maxed me out

 

Keep in mind that there is a difference between an "add a leaf" and "helper springs".