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01-27-2013, 11:55 AM
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#31
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Site Team
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern New Mexico
Posts: 10,179
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Re: Leaf Springs
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
__________________
SMB-less as of 02/04/2012. Our savings account is richer, but our adventures are poorer.
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01-27-2013, 01:16 PM
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#32
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1,837
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Re: Leaf Springs
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
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Herb, you are WRONG !!! that is more like $10.00 not $0.02 of advice !!
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01-27-2013, 01:32 PM
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#33
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Site Team
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Turlock Ca
Posts: 10,409
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Re: Leaf Springs
Just order a good quality USA made product, not something from China and the like.
__________________
2006 Ford 6.0PSD EB-50/E-PH SMB 4X4 Rock Crawler Trailer
Sportsmobile 4X4 Adventures.......... On and off road adventures
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01-27-2013, 01:46 PM
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#34
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Site Team
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern New Mexico
Posts: 10,179
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Re: Leaf Springs
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
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Herb, you are WRONG !!! that is more like $10.00 not $0.02 of advice !!
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Well then someone owes me $9.98 in change.
__________________
SMB-less as of 02/04/2012. Our savings account is richer, but our adventures are poorer.
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03-25-2013, 01:21 PM
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#35
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: East Bay CA
Posts: 1,078
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Re: Leaf Springs
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
__________________
2001 Ford E250 Sportsmobile with Salem-Kroger 4x4 conversion
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03-25-2013, 08:34 PM
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#36
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Parker, CO
Posts: 7,644
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Re: Leaf Springs
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.
__________________
it was good to be back
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11-14-2013, 10:11 PM
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#37
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Aspen, Colorado
Posts: 46
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Re: Leaf Springs
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
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11-15-2013, 10:07 AM
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#38
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: PNW WA
Posts: 618
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Re: Leaf Springs
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
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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.
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11-15-2013, 09:45 PM
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#39
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Aspen, Colorado
Posts: 46
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Re: Leaf Springs
Thanks for the input. I think those sizes are the same just a different rim size and a little lower profile on the 17.
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