Replacement springs or helper springs?

[Zero Knievel]

1998 Mazda B3000 2WD.

 

I know springs weaken with age, but the truck seems to have a tad too much roll in tight turns and the bed drops when loaded…perhaps more than it used to.  Shocks were replaced, which might be concealing any issues.

 

Which would be a better move?  Add helper springs or replace them?  If I replaced them, I’d want the strongest springs I can fit rather than a straight replacement just to find there is no improvement.

 

 

[blackhawkxx]

1 hour ago, Zero Knievel said:

If I replaced them, I’d want the strongest springs I can fit rather than a straight replacement just to find there is no improvement.

Just remember, putting stronger springs on the rear of that super light truck is going to make it ride like it has no springs.

If you can find a helper spring that only comes into play when the spring is compressed would be one way not to hurt the ride as much.

 

[SwampNut]

It will be fine if you keep a motorcycle in the back of the truck.  

[Furbird]

Hang on.

Helper springs.

On a (basically) Ranger.

This motherfucker has a gooseneck in the bed doesn't it?

https://www.tiktok.com/@treachore/video/7056233433579965742?is_from_webapp=v1&item_id=7056233433579965742
 

 

[Zero Knievel]

Your point?  How old was that truck?

[superhawk996]

On 11/29/2022 at 11:16 AM, Zero Knievel said:

If I replaced them, I’d want the strongest springs I can fit

Yea, go with that and report back.  Save your stockers so you can put them back on.

 

After overloading my Fords I've found that raising them by the bumper 'unsags' them.  I did it a few times with the Explorer I used to have and more recently with the Excursion.  If you go with aftermarket springs do some research before picking willy nilly, and definitely remove that "strongest I can find" thing from your head.  If Explorer springs fit, a used set might be a good option; research it.  There's lots of helper options which will probably be cheaper and easier to install than replacing the stockers.  Some are easily adjustable which will let you dial in what you want.  As for the body roll, check the sway bar bushings/end links.  I don't think a little lost rating in the rear springs would do much for unloaded body roll.  Stiffer rear springs would reduce it, but would increase the tendency to oversteer which is already a problem with pickups.

[Zero Knievel]

Thanks.  Sounds like helper springs would be a better option.  I might just need a little “help” to get the springs more like they were new.

[XXitanium]

Yeah, an F350 with nothing in the box is frequently a miserably stiff ride. The truck rides much more confortably when it's loaded. Stiffer springs would act like that if most of your driving is with an empty box.

[XXitanium]

...xonsider?

 

https://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=5774&zenid=d95f939d486db1823aa69d31de5cd4b3

 

[Zero Knievel]

I’m only using the truck to haul stuff.  I’ve noticed a fair bit of sag as of late when loaded.

[superhawk996]

20 hours ago, XXitanium said:

...xonsider?

 

https://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=5774&zenid=d95f939d486db1823aa69d31de5cd4b3

 

Adding a rear sway bar willy nilly, especially to a pickup, is dangerous.

[blackhawkxx]

4 hours ago, superhawk996 said:

Adding a rear sway bar willy nilly, especially to a pickup, is dangerous.

Zero does nothing willy nilly.  😉

[XXitanium]

OK Google....  "Why is adding a rear sway-barto a truck dangerous?"

 

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/why-dont-pickup-trucks-have-rear-swaybars.238360/page-2

 

...well, that didn't give me one clear concise answer....

 

[superhawk996]

5 hours ago, blackhawkxx said:

Zero does nothing willy nilly.  😉

Not in the traditional sense because he'll over analyze the fuck out of it, but the final decision is often no better than a willy nilly shot in the dark.

[superhawk996]

5 hours ago, XXitanium said:

OK Google....  "Why is adding a rear sway-barto a truck dangerous?"

 

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/why-dont-pickup-trucks-have-rear-swaybars.238360/page-2

 

...well, that didn't give me one clear concise answer....

 

The best way I can think to describe it:  Lets assume you have a car/truck with perfect handling.  If you add a sway bar to the front it will increase the tendency to understeer, meaning that when you hit the traction limit in a curve the front of the car will try to go straight.  This is pretty easy to control.  If you add it to the rear it'll wanna oversteer, back end sliding out in a turn, much harder to control.  Cars are generally set up to understeer because it's safer.  Pickups generally have a tendency to oversteer from the factory and the rear bar will increase that.

[XXitanium]

Yeah, OK like my old Mustang with air-shocks, I lived it. Not good.