Leaf Springs - Page 4

**BroncoHauler** · 01-27-2013, 11:55 AM

While there clearly are differences between brands of springs and shocks, I would caution people not to read too much into any one person's account of how much better their ride is when swapping their suspension setup and attributing it to changing brands. If you were to swap 8 year old, 75,000 mile springs and shocks for new ones of the same brand and model, I can't imagine everyone not saying how much better the ride was.

Personally for any suspension swap, I would focus more on the service of the shop providing the service than the brand. If the shop has been around for a while, they should be able to provide brand recommendations based on years of service and hundreds of installations.

My $0.02

Herb

billwilson · 01-27-2013, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroncoHauler

While there clearly are differences between brands of springs and shocks, I would caution people not to read too much into any one person's account of how much better their ride is when swapping their suspension setup and attributing it to changing brands. If you were to swap 8 year old, 75,000 mile springs and shocks for new ones of the same brand and model, I can't imagine everyone not saying how much better the ride was.

Personally for any suspension swap, I would focus more on the service of the shop providing the service than the brand. If the shop has been around for a while, they should be able to provide brand recommendations based on years of service and hundreds of installations.

My $0.02

Herb

Herb, you are WRONG !!! that is more like $10.00 not $0.02 of advice !!

**daveb** · 01-27-2013, 01:32 PM

Just order a good quality USA made product, not something from China and the like.

**BroncoHauler** · 01-27-2013, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billwilson

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroncoHauler

While there clearly are differences between brands of springs and shocks, I would caution people not to read too much into any one person's account of how much better their ride is when swapping their suspension setup and attributing it to changing brands. If you were to swap 8 year old, 75,000 mile springs and shocks for new ones of the same brand and model, I can't imagine everyone not saying how much better the ride was.

Personally for any suspension swap, I would focus more on the service of the shop providing the service than the brand. If the shop has been around for a while, they should be able to provide brand recommendations based on years of service and hundreds of installations.

My $0.02

Herb

Herb, you are WRONG !!! that is more like $10.00 not $0.02 of advice !!

Well then someone owes me $9.98 in change.

rob_gendreau · 03-25-2013, 01:21 PM

I'd like to know more about the Betts springs; were those rears, fronts or both?

And has anyone retrofitted to them and if so, where'd you do it?

They (Betts) have a truck facility in Oakland which would make it ideal for me if they'd work on my van. Or even if I could order and take delivery of leaf spring there.

And while I'm at it, anyone swap out only the fronts or only the rears, if you've got front AND rear leaves?

Rob

jage · 03-25-2013, 08:34 PM

I took delivery of Deavers at Denver Spring here in town, they (Denver Spring) swore they could have made the same springs, but I didn't get that impression from what they had on the shelf AND they jacked up the install.

That said, I like to think if you can get them to understand they're not building dump truck springs that they could do something to spec. If they're convenient, you should probably go talk to them and see what kind of flexibility and understanding they have.

Also for the record, at 2 years my OME shocks were blown and the Deaver replacement wasn't for ride (I loved the stock SMB 4x4 springs!) but because the clearance was so tight the front bottomed hard. Choosing Deaver to drop ship because they knew the SMB was a so-so experience for me; not as great as hitting Deaver in person (I gather) but I've never doubted I got the right springs for my SMB.

finn · 11-14-2013, 10:11 PM

I'm looking for some more input on the Betts springs that SMB is currently using. Peter at SMB tells me that the ride quality is greatly improved over what they installed on my 2006. I'm looking to improve the ride and install a bigger tire.

Sorry a little off subject but is anyone running a 315-70-17 on the stock springs from the 06 era. I'm seeing bigger tires on all these vans but I'm having trouble finding out what size they are. Springs and tires,close enough to be in the same subject right?

Pete

Roonie · 11-15-2013, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by finn

Sorry a little off subject but is anyone running a 315-70-17 on the stock springs from the 06 era. I'm seeing bigger tires on all these vans but I'm having trouble finding out what size they are. Springs and tires,close enough to be in the same subject right?

Pete

I had 315/75/16 on my van with SMB 4x4 conversion on stock springs and mine was an 06. I think with a 17" rim it might rub up front on full turn. Maybe not? Mine was close with 16" rim.

finn · 11-15-2013, 09:45 PM

Thanks for the input. I think those sizes are the same just a different rim size and a little lower profile on the 17.