Hello everyone! This will be my first post on the site, hopefully the first of many.

I have searched around the site at the 68 Chevy mod and other options for leafs. I just have a few questions.

My father purchased a 1990 2wd truck as a delivery truck. It is in great shape, its only fault are the sagging rear leaf springs! This truck is intended for hauling whatever orders come out. Sometimes 3 engines, a load of rear ends and other heavy parts that require more than 20 year old leafs can handle. The 22 does a fantastic job pulling the load, he learned quick the leafs need some serious help.

On my 99 Ive installed an AAL, I love the added strength and arch it gave the leafs. I could not find an aftermarket AAL for a 1990, even then I doubt that it would be available for a 2wd. In further thought I dont think adding one good leaf to a bad pack would hold its own arch for long with all the weight it will be bearing.

Without spending a large amount of money, what would our best option be for giving strength to the current leaf pack? Can anyone enlighten me on this 68 Chevy leaf mod.

I have not personally seen the truck in person, does a 90 have the overload leaf that faces negative to the others like a newer Toyota truck? My though was removing that overload leaf and swapping it to face the others would be a great help in strength.

Anyhow, if anyone can give me any help I would greatly appreciate it. Ive searched on Tw, which lead me here. I know Pre-Tacoma Geniuses lurk on the site, please come help!

Thankyou!

 

I just purchased a set of old man emu leafs for my 2wd. They rock! Hold much more weight and ride nice. Also a direct factory fit with no modifications. Other than that AAL's are readily available for the 2wd. I have a set of fabtech AAL's for 2wd that I will ship to you for $60. Lemme know!

 

Countryboy

I also had the sagging springs on a 1990 ext cab.
I carry alot of weight in it daily. I looked into some helper springs.
I decided to go with some firestone ride rites adustable air springs. I installed them yesterday.
So far the ride is smooth and the amount of air I need in them is very
little. At 15 psi I have level ride. Before I was 1/2 an inch from the bump
stops.
I ordered a bolt on kit online for 259 with free shipping.
Installation was easy. Three hours start to finish. Took me awhile to make sure I didnt have tire clearance issues.
This might be more the you want to spend. For me it was a great option.
I can adjust the bellows to the load I'm hauling.
good luck with what you pick.

Tcop

 

Ok thankyou both for the great help!

I will talk with him about the options and get back with you on the AAL.

A bolt on air spring kit would be ideal to what hes looking for, I will see what hes looking to spend. Do you have a link for the site where you purchased them?

I like the quick response times, Im starting to think Ill be visiting quite a bit over here. =)

 

sdtrucksprings.com
http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index....oducts_id=4594

I ordered them on the 14th and got them on the 21st.
When I first installed them I had put 40 psi. It was amazing how much it lifted the back end. I'm not sure how much I have for weight in the bed.
I use this truck as my work rig. I have an aluminum work canopy with ladder rack. It weights maybe 250 lbs. Then all my plumbing gear.
Curb weight should be around 2900 lbs. Loaded at the scrap yard scale I weight in at 4020 lbs. The kit I installed go right where the bump stops are. If I didnt haul the weight all the time. I might have gotten the helper springs that help only when there is a load. I hear they stiffer.


Tcop

 

Posting to save thread, OP is right, lots of good info here...

 

There's also http://www.alcanspring.com/ which I saw recommended somewhere else on this site. Not really the cheap option though but you can apparently have the packs customized to your usage of them.

We need a 2wd subforum for keeping this stuff in one place. All the 2wd info is buried in the depths of the other subforums and search is nice but consolidation is nicer.

I VOLUNTEER TO MOD IT, BWAHAHAHAHAHA.

 

I have been searching for a while now for a solid answer, maybe someone in this thread can help me solve my issue. I have a bent leaf spring and need new springs, I am looking into OME springs but can't get a goo answer of what type to use. Maybe someone can give me some insight. I am looking to install them on a 1995 P/U std cab short bed 2wd

 

2wd are limited for help.the springs are under the axle so spacers won't help you and longer shackles don't compensate for the load. you don't want to install lift springs for a 4wd 'cause those will just lift the back and make you like a stink bug.

overload leafs can help but air bags or air shocks are probably the best options since they can let you adjust for the load.

 

I am not looking to lift, maybe a little but not much. The springs seem so similar it seems they should be interchangeable regardless of the orientation of the axle. Here's the numbers I found that made me think this, maybe someone can point out any error in the logic? I am new to this so maybe these small changes are bigger than I think or I missed something, anyways....

2wd: 51 1/2" (A 22" / B 29 1/2" / Arch 7 1/2")

4wd: 51 3/16" (A 22 1/16" / B 29 1/8" / Arch 6 11/16")

Now these are stock numbers but I can't find any measurements for the OME springs but they are said to give a 4wd 1.25" of lift iirc.

 

So for a stock '94 2wd trying to add hauling capacity (as opposed to lift), the airbags are the way to go? I already added a leaf and am happy with ride height. I'd like to be able to haul more without bottoming out though.

AND, I've been using this site for over five yrs and would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE a 2wd dedicated sub-section!!!

Thanks all!

 

Just noticed, there is a 2wd dedicated sub-forum...

Awesome!

 

I would definately consider getting some typer of helper spring.... Maybe some suspension air bags or a timbren kit.

 

I have dealt with the guys at SD truck springs for replacements on my 94 4X4. Call them up and tell them what you need , they can make it happen. Mine were broke so I just needed OEMs, but they asked if I wanted to stiffen them up or add a leaf.
Now it only sags with 500+lb of winter weight.

My dad made coil-helpers for his 78 2X4, found them in wrecking yard, worked great.

 

http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/

I've used these guys before too, they were great.

 

hey can we see pics of ur truk

 

Zuk mod might be of use to you. Has added a lot of hauling capacity to my 90 pickup with almost no cost and very little effort. Props to the guy who thought that gem up.