Stock leaf spring replacement

I bought mine from SD truck springs. I believe whoever makes the springs for general makes them for SD as well. Same part numbers. $20 cheaper was my only reasoning. Gonna install in the coming weeks.

 

Looks like I'm jumping on this wagon train as well. Here are my tired old springs with nothing in the bed.

 

While I'm thinking about it, is there any easy way to tell if the front coils are sagging/worn out? The front is riding about 1/2" higher than the rear at this point, but everything is 19 years old and probably well past it's useful life..

 

Yikes. That's bad. I'm also piggybacking on this thread as well, as I just received a set of General HDs and will be doing them next week, hopefully. After reading old threads, it sounds like I can expect the Generals to start out higher but settle to stock height or so... Looking at stock photos of our trucks from Toyota ads, it does look like there was a slight forward-rake from the factory; we've just all gotten used to the saggy-ass look. If it's way higher than I'm expecting, I'll just replace the 5100s up front with a fresh set and bump them up a notch or two.

 

So many mixed posts on those General HDs. Will look for your update. Curious if you encounter the same 3" lift mentioned here:

Hopefully not. I need to really get this project started and finished. Been putting off the packs and my steering rack bushings/outer ties for too long. Still running with the stock coils up front and 4600s but I am open to replacing. Dont want anything more than an inch or so over stock ride height.

 

finally made a call to General today. Rep I spoke with said I shouldn't see more than 1-1.25" of lift in the rear - factoring in the Leer cap, should not be an issue at all. Figure I'd pass it on.

 

Got my SD leaf springs installed. No lift other than the 1.5" shackle I put on with it. Straight forward install once I got enough nerve to just cut everything loose instead of fight with the wrench. Springs sit flat, which is what I expected and better than what was on there.
Edit to mention I also have a leer cap.

 

Let us know how they ride.

 

sub/d

 

Alas, Downey went out of business some time back. I don't know if anybody bought them out or not. They were a major player for a while.

 

Literally looking for all of these same parts, including tie rods and possibly a few other goodies. Where did you shop from? Will you be buying OEM tie rods?

Also, please give us another update on the ride. Is the ride pretty stiff with this set up? Did it take care of any body roll?

 

Ride is no different than what was on there except for the 5100's that went on with them. Firm, but not harsh. Doesnt jump around when crossing bridges at highway speeds.

 

So, I got the General HD leafs installed today and took the opportunity to have the front shocks swapped out for some fresh ones. My truck already had Bilstein 5100s up front (stock height setting), but they have a decent amount of miles on them and I figured it wouldn't hurt to replace them and bump them up a notch in case the Generals added a noticeable rake. Sure enough, the back end is sitting about 4 inches higher than it was before, but keep in mind the old springs were slightly inverted from wear. Completely unloaded, the truck would sit pretty much level but any weight in the back caused a noticeable sag. Accounting for the sagging that I somehow got accustomed to, I'd guess it's maybe 2 inches taller than factory at the back. I haven't measured anything yet. The Bilsteins are at the 1.75 setting and even still there's a pretty noticeable rake, but I actually dig the look. I'm sort of of the school of thought that pickup trucks are supposed to have some rake because, well, they're trucks. I think it looks appropriate. I'm going on a canoeing trip next week and I'm anxious to see how the Generals handle the extra weight of my canoe and camping gear. The tires could be a size taller, for sure (I'm running stock size), but I'll wait another 80-90k for these Michelins to wear out before I start thinking about that.

Other thoughts: I wasn't even aware how much I had tuned out the axle wrap symptoms until today. Whoa. There were definitely some weird clunks happening that I sort of attributed to normal RWD driveline slack, but everything's silky smooth now. I'll have to update when I have some miles on this setup and see if it settles any, but for now I couldn't be happier.

 

Good to see the update! I ended up going another route but cool its working out for you. Totally agree - I think the potential for not realizing just how tired the stock suspension can be is what gets many. Looks good!

 

@Danno1985 Looks good !

 

Anyone running the standard duty General springs? My truck rarely carries more than 200-400 lbs in the bed, unless I'm hauling the ATV, which usually rides on the trailer. I'm not looking for any lift, definitely NOT 3-4 inches in the rear...1" or so is ok

 

Looks good, I need to do this as well.
Truck looks great!

 

A slight resurrection but i figure this thread is new enough and pretty active. I just ordered some springs. I see there are different part numbers for right and left springs... is there a forward and rearward to these springs as well? Or, as long as I match up the correct side it doesn't matter which end I put in the shackle? Does that question make sense?

 

Makes me realize I shoul inspect mine sooner than later.

 

I ordered standard duty springs. Yet to install as one got lost in transit. How you lose a spring is beyond me!