I'm thinking of doing the Chevy spring swap, and I know what springs to get (1/2 ton 2wd). However, what about 3/4 to springs? I am not worried about a stiff ride or anything, just a payload increase (I know it won't be as much as a 3/4 ton, though). I just wanted to pull a trailer for a local parade, and the trailer alone weighs about 3,000lbs. I really don't want to sag real low, it would be kinda embarrassing.

Would it work? Is it feasable?

 

I don't know any of the numbers but I think you would probably run into a problem with the width of the spring vs your perches and hangers. I don't know any numbers but I doubt it would be a direct bolt on. But anything can be done with enough money, time, and knowledge

 

read this:

EDIT: Wrong article.

I'm trying to find the one where Bob (rwenzing) has said that even though you upgraded the springs, your frame, engine, etc is all rated for the original towing capacity. Therefore, you might not *sag* like before, but you are putting strain on everything else still.

 

Here is my Ranger with 2WD Chevy springs and a scaled 2400 pounds in the bed, roughly double the rated payload.



Even though it was still an inch from contacting the bumpstops, it drove like it was overloaded, too. I do not recommend hauling this much in a Ranger.

As far as the car w/trailer idea, that sounds like you would be at or over the rated trailer capacity of the truck. However, the correct tongue weight is 10% of the trailer weight. Properly distributed, the tongue weight of the trailer/car combination should only be about 500~600 pounds at the hitch, way less of a load on the rear axle than what I'm showing in the photo above.

The short answer is that I think the 2WD C1500 springs would be more than adequate for the trailer.

You might be able to get away without using them in a parade but that combination should also have a load distributing hitch and trailer brakes behind a Ranger.

 

my procomp lift springs are for 88-98 1/2, 3/4 and 1 ton chevy trucks.

 

I'm really just trying to get rid of the sag, not really to overload. Thanks far all your help!

 

i just pulled my boat around with the 1/2 ton chevy springs...im loading the pic up, but it didnt sag much if any...the rear was still a 1/2 in higher then the front of my truck
boat prob weighes 2k or so ( full tank of gas in boat and truck)

 

Used with the stock blocks, a decent set of C1500/2WD springs will lift the rear of the truck roughly 2" and make it drop much less under load. I assume that is what you mean by sag.

The fore/aft position of the car on the trailer will greatly affect the tongue weight and that will change how much the rear of your truck drops with the trailer. Actually, you should be able to run your stock Ranger 4x4 springs without a lot of drop if you have the tongue weight right.

 

If you really want extra payload just get the 4wd springs which have one more leaf than the 2wd leafs do.

 

He has a 4x4.

 

ZainyD is refering to the Chevy 4wd springs not the ranger ones i think

 

I new a guy that had an old S10 that was owned by a spring company as a delivery truck, thye put custom made 3/4 ton springs in there and it had the worse ride I have ever seen! Un less you had weight in the bed it would jump in the air with every small bump you hit.

~HJ

 

I thought you had to take the blocks out. I don't have a lift on my truck, it has the stock suspension.

 

Mine still has its factory 4x4 blocks. If you pull the blocks, then your stock shocks will be too long.

 

i took my blocks out but what bob is saying is you need the blocks for the bump stop. you will need to extend the bump stop on the frame or do something to reduce the chance of the shocks bottoming out.

i dont really care and I am just taking that chance.