ive been searching online for a while now, but does anyone know where i can get some 88-98 chevy half ton springs. i prefer NEW springs, if ya know what i mean.

 

New springs will bend the way your used ones did if they are subjected to the same conditions. Springs flex and return to their original shape unless the elastic limit is exceeded. From that point on they either break or permanently deform.

 

Bob, I think he's suspecting that maybe those springs were shot to begin with. Sometimes you never know if the springs are already crystallizing or whatever from sustained overloads the previous owner put on them.

I think new springs are probably a good idea -- but like most I'd probably start with used ones. I don't know if Zach just "won the lottery" and got a bad set, or if the conditions of the failure would have destroyed just about whatever he had on there.

 

idk bob, there were alot of guys up there that were shocked how it bent. and many people have looked at it and think the springs were too old or they were weak or may have been heated up at one point and time.

 

What about some 73-87 rear lift springs?

im sure you could find some that are "military" wrapped which means that its got 2 leafs that go to the hoop

 

those springs are at different specifications.

plus it would not ride very well

 

what length springs do you need/use?

 

I saw a set of F250 springs kink like that in the front but in the opposite direction. The clown driving it spun the tires on ice and kept it spinning at redline until he caught some high traction dry pavement. The bend occurred at the weakest part of the spring, the single leaf just ahead of the second leaf, just like yours. Those springs were less than 6 months old and they bent permanently because their elastic limit was exceeded.

Take a coil spring from a ballpoint pen and compress or extend it slightly. When you release it, it will return to its original shape. This is analogous to what happens when a leaf spring is flexed within the design limits of normal suspension travel.

Take the same ballpoint spring and stretch it much farther. If you stretch it far enough to surpass the elastic limit, the spring will experience what is called "plastic deformation" and will not return to its original shape. This is same thing that happened to your leaf spring.

There's nothing wrong with buying new springs if you want to. But if you put them in the same situation - loading them in a way that is far outside of the original design intent - you can expect the new springs to fail in a similar way.

 

88-98 chevy half ton 2wd springs.

 

i understand what you are saying, but i just didnt think we applied that much force to it. but pulling on a truck with a strap can put alot of force i suppose.

 

The single main leaf is just a piece of steel, maybe 3/8" thick. If I understand correctly, when Bill pulled on the front, it bent the tow-hook x-member. In the rear, it was the spring. Clearly, these were very stout pulls against a very stuck Ranger.

 

Good way to put it....

Im checking around, ill let you know if i find any thing..

Rocky

 

honistly i still think a set of new is better with old but i think its piontless unless you pair it up with a set of traction bars. this might have saved the whole problem to begin with being it wouldnt have let the axle to move that way..just trying to put the idear in your head

 

Call me old fashioned, but I carry a shovel and some stout boards with me anything I get off paved surfaces. I don't have the truck, or nerve to try offroading in my Ranger, but I'm really motivated to get traction bars after seeing all of this, but also to get a hi-lift to add to my assorted tools I travel with.

 

i had several items that would have helped the situation in my toolbox. but the latch just happened to break.

it just wasnt my weekend. its overwith now no sense if what ifs. ive been doing it all weekend. lol

all in all i wish i would have just called the sand dune recovery rig to begin with.

 

Interesting...the Fates were messing with you I think. Now you really need to unlock your Muse, so long as it doesn't drive you nuts playing strange music from a keyboard, haha.

 

i think it was just somehting i had comeing for quite a while. this is the first time ive broke something while wheeling. and in previous times ive screwed around just as much.

 

Have you tried a chevy dealer? When I worked at Ford, leaf springs were actually not that expensive from the dealer. I would check there first. If not check into an aftermarket spring company, they will have a new set.

~HJ

 

i tried a GM discount parts website. they wanted 375 or something. new ranger springs are only 94 bucks each.

 

Call up alcan spring. They made my custom front springs for 190$ a peice. I wanted regular lift springs for a ranger and they were alot less, so it's worth a shot.

 

i called a few times it was busy so i filled out the request form.

 

what about deaver springs?

 

$500 bucks and about 1-2 " of lift

too much for not enough

 

its an idea but they are costly.

 

yes and dont do your you cant tow with them because they can put a tow leaf in