Hey what's up everybody I am in the process of upgrading my entire suspension and I'm trying to decide whether to get constant load Springs or variable Springs. I have a 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 just upgraded the front suspension with a 2in spacer and a one and a half inch lift Bilstein 5100. So now I'm working on the rear I have a bed rack that weighs about 165 lbs with an awning that weighs probably 50 lb. Then the tire on top of the bed rack weighing probably another 80 lb. The Trix sags slightly so I was going to get the tough truck Springs along with Bilstein 5100 rear shocks. But I noticed that they have constant load vs. Variable load so I'm trying to figure out at what weight will we consider something a constant low versus a variable load? Between road trips constantly helping somebody move and random party events where I have to bring tables is always something in the bed but there are plenty of times where the bed would be empty so do I need a variable or do I need a constant spring?

 

constant means the ride quality is the same (typically harder) all the time as the spring has the same spring rate through its whole travel. Variable have a section towards the top of the spring designed to have a slightly softer spring rate and a small amount of give more or less for a more comfortable ride while having the other 80 percent of the spring being stiffer for more load capacity. The more the spring is compressed the stiffer it gets. MOST perfer variable. its what I have with my 5100s (I went with the superlift 2" lift springs myself which are on sale. when I have a heavy load in the truck it does not squat easily like the oem springs and the ride quality is very nice. (I often carry 1000lb pallets of brewers grain)

I wasnt aware they made 1.5" specific bilstien 5100s for our trucks, I have 5100s all the way around and have the front adjusted for the max lift which is about 3" in my case. You probably know this but you are not supposed to combine spacers with other lifts like extended struts. 3.5" of lift on those upper control arms can cause a dangerous situation if the ball joint pops out of the arm which is common at that extreme angle.. I intend on replacing mine because it doesnt look ideal with only 2.8-3".