Leaf spring replacement options?

Ive been riding on shot leaf springs with cheap helpers from knechts for years now. There is no noise but am looking to make things right. I do haul some heavy stuff and have not cared what I throw in it. Now seeing that the clasp on the $20 knechts helpers have been trashed and missing.

I dont want lift or modification. Just something similar to stock without going to the dealership.

Ive heard General Spring is good. $129 for standard and $179 for HD upgrade. Anyone use something different under these circumstances?

Thanks

 

Not sure where you live but plan on all new hardware and new shackle kits

General Spring is my Go to company for Springs.

I love my Heavy Duty ones

Several vehicles I bought springs for.

Great Service and better price shipped to the Door

 

I just bought the Gen Springs $129. I replaced part of my original bed and fiberglass camper shell with a steel flatbed. I am going to need to upgrade to the HD version of the OEM style springs. I estimate I only added a net of about 225 lbs with the change, so I would recommend you get the HD version since you said you regularly haul heavy items.

I thought about spring helpers, but have decided against it. Lucky for me my other Taco needs one OEM spring, so my dumb mistake is only costing me about $200.

 

Im in Beaverton OR, we dont use salt on roads so not much rust! Thanks for your help!
Abraham

 

Any springs you install Will definitely give you some lift over what you have now. I’m sure the he that you mentioned will be at least an inch over stock

 

that u bolt for those helpers are actually compressing your leafs they way u have them setup. it wouldn't be able to make a positive arch no matter what

 

We don't use much salt here either but man, over time that front eyelet bolt for the leaf springs were seized in there. Had to run down to a hardware place and get new bolts. Just a heads up, maybe be prepared for that.

 

yes Ur rears have a negative set

my prev DCLB was a contractor truck so loads varied greatly

Fire Stone Air Bags save the rear springs.........shocks
dont ride harsh & are fully adjustable
sometimes heavy load
sometime light load
sometimes empty

have a friend that hauls heavy ALL the time business & recreation
not unusal trailer weighs more than pickup

installed air bags..........couldnt be better
levelled up cant tell in that they DONT ride harsh

 

I've been running the same Firestone bags for 4 years with no problems for exactly the same reasons. But I seem to remember the cost was around $350+ and that's just the parts as I did the install, so it's probably more expensive than stock leafs but I like the easy adjustability. And its not a solution if the stock leafs are already bad as it's not really fixing the primary problem but could be used for the OP's heavy duty vs regular dilemma.

 

I dont think my adding of those helper leafs has done me much service, especially since I didnt really know what I was doing when I installed them. I dont know much about this stuff and didnt know I needed an arch. Makes sense now. Im going to remove them and get the general HD versions.