you said the springs were new and they weren't sagging for sure... now you say they are flat... flat is definitely sagging. they should not be flat......

you are either grossly overweight, or your springs are garbage.....

no amount of helper spring is going to fix either..... When you add a bunch of weight, you need to build the suspension to handle it, not throw bandaids at it

 

i will go with springs are garbage, i found made in mexico on the driver side spring.
it is still too cold out for pics or a video with the van up on ramps, i stuck my head under and the made in mexico was right in my line of sight on the bottom spring.
i was not aware straight was sagging, i thought curving the wrong way was sagging.
i agree about not throwing bandaids at it, helper springs would be good for additional support on a good suspension not to fix a bad one.
i am going to go get a price on 2 new beefier complete springs and U bolts.

 

total cost to fix the springs is $650 with labor.
spring shop said the van is pristine underneath, no rot at all.
they don't see many vans without rust this old.
the springs are still in good shape but are too weak for the weight they are carrying.
they are going to add 2 new leafs to each side with new U bolts, bushings and bolts.
they said that will give me 1000 pounds more total and should be enough.
it is 500 pounds a side.
this is not helper springs, it is new thicker gauge leafs added to the springs.
i will have to get the front end aligned afterwards, it needs it anyways because of the new tie rods i put in.

i truly appreciate everyone's input, this is a great forum.

 

sounds like they are tossing in add a leafs.... for that kind of $, they should be custom building you a new pack.


Add-a-leafs cost $50

 

according to them they are taking the springs apart and adding 2 heavier gauge leafs which will make them either 6 over 1 or 7 over one springs, i forget if i have 4 or 5 over 1.
i don't think the add a leafs are clamped on to the original ones making them part of the pack, i have seen the ones that don't use the OEM clamps to the other leafs.

 

i just saw an add a leaf video and they do go together with the clamps but the ones a saw are a lot thinner than the heavy one the shop has.

 

add a leafs are usually heavy, I put add a leafs on my old Toyota. it was easily 2x as thick as the stock leaf

 

the only place near me that will do the springs wants $650, i don't have the tools to install extra leafs.
the only option for DIY for me would be hellwig helper springs that go on the top of the existing springs.
either that or the husky helper spring which is a single short and thick leaf.
the shop told me that my springs are ok, i am limited because my shackles are not the one piece design, i can only go up another 500 pounds per side.
i doubt i have a ton of stuff currently in the van, it is mostly 1/4 inch wood for the ceiling and walls and then the wood to make the other stuff that is in it like the bench/bed, the cabinets and water tank housing.
as far as other stuff i have a fridge and 20 gallon (empty) water tank.
i have seen builds with big full size beds, tons of stuff like fridges, cook tops, water storage and more stuff that weighs more than what i have in stock suspension B1500 vans.

 

just because other people overload 1500 vans, doesn't mean you should overload yours....

Well, if you don't want to do the work yourself, and don't have the tools, I guess overpaying someone else to do it will work.... However I think you really need new springs, not a leaf tossed into your current pack......

 

i don't want to pay them to just add springs leafs, $650 is a lot of money and i still have other stuff i need to get done.
i will price new springs, see if i can find 6 over 1 springs brand new to handle the extra weight.
so helper springs, extra leafs and paying $650 for the fix are out as far as options.
spring is a couple months away and finding someone to help me put in springs is a better option and i can rent any needed tools that i don't have.