Advice: leaf springs

So, I've got a 2002 standard cab prerunner 4cyl with about 310K miles - all original. I've noticed the truck sagging when I hook up a trailer for the last year or so. I did severely overload the bed once about 10 years ago (1 yard crushed gravel) which wasn't a fun ride but I didn't think I did any permanent damage at the time & have loaded half yards ever since. The springs don't seem to be frowning unloaded but I'm thinking it time to replace them so the truck stays more level towing.

I'm planning on getting the general heavy duty springs. Do I need to do the shocks at the same time? What the best option for the shocks? I've got a mechanic that can do the work but is there someone in Austin, TX

 

I would say if you have never changed the shocks and the 310k are on the current ones then yes change them. I would put the new shocks on first and see if the truck is still sagging. If you need help putting the shocks on I'm right up the road from Austin, TX.

 

Unless they're air shocks, changing them won't affect the ride height. A shock is just there to damp the vibrations.

 

+2 on the shocks. They don't do a thing to the lift of the vehicle, or it's capacity to hold a load.
You are fine with adding the HD springs. If you have a source, great. There are plenty of companies that make quality replacements that are not "off road" companies that get lots of traffic here. After you have your springs you can determine if the shocks also need replacement. What you are looking for here is no bounce. Jump into your bed, cycle the suspension and jump out. Does your bed stop as soon as the load is out?

Now, there are LOTS of options on the shocks, the amount of dampening, more down vs up, shock length expanded and contracted, etc. In your case with a standard cab and occasional hauling you can look to stock replacement I'd say. You may even be able to find take-off's on this site, but probably not worth it with replacements so cheap.

ON the overloading. Your HD springs will probably be fine, however if your trailer puts you right up against capacity, or if you overload frequently, you may want to consider something that can help in those situations. Here you can choose from an airbag/spring, like the one from RideControl: LinkHere

OR you can opt for an airless spring like SumoSprings:
Personally, I like this option but check out the site for yourself.

 

You can take the shocks off and it won't change the truck, unless the springs are so bad that the shock is bottomed out.

OP, if the springs are still ok, you could use other alternatives for loads. Overload springs, airbags, etc.

How many miles do the shocks, F&R, have on them? Could be time for a full refresh.

I'd be looking closely at all the rubber bushings on the entire suspension too, with that kind of mileage.

 

I think the shocks may have been replaced about 8 years / 100K miles ago. I got the truck for my kid when he was 16 & took it to my mechanic & he tidied up the suspension - maybe new shocks, bushings, etc. I'm looking for a new mechanic (old one retired) in Austin if anyone has suggestions. I'm thinking just the leafs & maybe new rear shocks then after a few months if the lean doesn't come down enough a small lift in front to level things out.

 

OK - new question if anyone is still reading. I replaced the rear springs with general HD springs & bilstein 4600 OEM. SO the rear is about 2-3 inches higher than it was before but I think closer to original stock. So the front is leaning also so I'm wanting to replace the front assemblies also. There seems to be plenty of advice here for lifts but if I want to go stock height what are my best options? Complete sets seem cheap on Amazon but I can't find info on length - it seems like the original might have had different coils on right & left side but same shocks? if I go with bilstein oem what's a good source for coils? caps? Or should I just go with cheap amazon set?

 

Again, I'll plug Marie @HeadStrong Off-Road for *the* source for parts. I'd certainly not go cheap on the front shocks, replacing with Bilsteins won't cost much.

 

many here on TW get these and they can be used later on if you want any lift or "level"

 

You are so sweet thank you for your support @AustinNative

 

If you want new coils as well, I'd go with the OME 880's (~1.25" lift but close to stock height) with OME Nitrocharger Sport shocks, but many on here also run this setup with Bilstein 5100's. @HeadStrong Off-Road is definitely a good place to order and they can help you out if you have any questions.

 

Thank you so much @03 NIGHT TACO ! Happy Friday

 

You say that you only noticed it sagging fairly recently, so that says to me you don't need heavy duty springs, just not wore out ones.

You just need to weigh how often you will be towing/carrying heavy loads with what you want your ride to be like when you're unloaded.

If you'll be carrying heavier loads/towing more often, then yeah, heavier duty springs would be a benefit, but you'll obviously be sacrificing your ride when unloaded. The other way to go is conventional springs with airbags. Of course more expensive, but you get the best of both worlds with a good ride, and no sag when loaded. Air bags are probably not great if you plan to off-road with the truck, though...