Helper Springs

fordtruckin · #1 05-05-2011, 04:00 AM

What are your thoughts on putting helper springs on a half ton? I don't tow or haul alot but every once in a while I get a load of small square bales for the wifes horses and wouldn't mind avoiding the sag factor. Also would they help reduce the sag when I do tow a trailer? Do they hurt the ride quality when your empty? I really don't know a whole lot about them so I'm looking for any advice.

I'm currently lookin at Hellwig EZ-990.
http://www.hellwigproducts.com/produ...ontrol/ez-990/

Lonnie · #2 05-05-2011, 04:54 AM

they look like they work similar to over load springs

Reeves1 · #3 05-05-2011, 06:48 AM

Multi leaf over loads in the back. New mains with one extra leaf. Progressive coils put in the front. Ride was still like a 1/2 ton not loaded.
Load on the truck in this picture: 130 gal. diesel, digging bucket for 200 Hitachi as well as a mounding spade. Took all of it up a mountian logging road without any troubles. Had Standen axle in Calgary install all the springs. Great job and great price !

reelhooker · #4 05-05-2011, 06:51 AM

I use Firestone Airbags on my tundra and it makes a world of difference. I can also deflate them to get my soft ride back when I want it.

ccmckee · #5 05-05-2011, 08:09 AM

The ride rites are awesome, had them on my old truck. I also a compressor and 3 gal tank on board so i could change pressures on the fly,they don't change the ride when your empty andthey will level the truck when it's loaded.

NBFK · #6 05-05-2011, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reelhooker

I use Firestone Airbags on my tundra and it makes a world of difference. I can also deflate them to get my soft ride back when I want it.

x2 air bags are the way to go. They dont allow you to haul more load they just keep your headlights from signalling planes.

srp71 · #7 05-05-2011, 08:46 AM

I have a set of them on my ole 96.Not sure if they are the same brand or not but the same principle.They are great for heavy loads and if you only need them occasionaly you can remove the end clamps and it will have no adverse effects on your OEM springs.On the other hand,the tighter you cinch them clamps down the more stiffer they become,so you can pack more in the back before your truck sags to much.Just be careful if they are to tight you can haul way more than you legally should.

Sledhead71 · #8 05-05-2011, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by natural.born.fawn.killer

x2 air bags are the way to go. They dont allow you to haul more load they just keep your headlights from signalling planes.

X3 air bags are on all my trucks...

Kramsky · #9 05-05-2011, 10:00 AM

x4 love my air bags on my 08 ford half ton

nick0danger · #10 05-05-2011, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reelhooker

I use Firestone Airbags on my tundra and it makes a world of difference. I can also deflate them to get my soft ride back when I want it.

tundras dont have soft rides, ive been in tractors that are smoother rideing.

grunger · #11 05-05-2011, 11:14 AM

I've got Timbrens on my Frontier. They work great.

http://www.timbren.com/

reelhooker · #12 05-05-2011, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nick0danger

tundras dont have soft rides, ive been in tractors that are smoother rideing.

Sorry I should have said softer then with the airbags fully inflated. I find mine to be too soft but thank you for your valid contribution to this thread. good off-topic derail. op must appreciate your input.

fordtruckin · #13 05-05-2011, 05:25 PM

So your suggesting airbags instead of a helper spring?

Elko · #14 05-05-2011, 05:53 PM

Another vote for airbags, second truck to run them on the rear, pump them up when ya need them and go, add's a bit of a bounce if you have air in them, but run them down to 4 or 5 lbs and the ride is the same. Very easy to install, last set were a no drill application, they just bolt in and plumb the air lines. If ya can afford a compressor, the best way to go, you can change on the fly, and have air when ya need it for tires or what ever.

vinny · #15 05-05-2011, 06:52 PM

Same here. Had the Firestone bags in my 04 Ram 2500. In cab controller so you can adjust when needed, and 5 lbs in them when you're empty. Order them from U.S. if you can. Got mine for half of what they wanted here. Install was pretty easy once you figure where you want to mount the compressor and controller.

chewydog · #16 05-05-2011, 07:33 PM

Airbags in both my trucks, a sweet tool to have !!

Got Juice? · #17 05-05-2011, 08:39 PM

All of my trucks have had Firestone Ride Rites. Never a blown bag, and always perfect damping for the job at hand.

Before the box liner, nerf bars or any other mods go on, Ride Rite's are installed.

On my next truck I will try the Pac Brake Setup.

Jiffy10 · #18 05-05-2011, 08:55 PM

heres what your up against. the air bag system for leaf springs is very expensice vs the coil spring set up. with coils... slip the bags in side the spring and fill them up. with a leaf systm you need bag holders and that will run you about 500 .

try the timbren system. its the easiest install and it wont double the value of your truck.

#19 05-05-2011, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nick0danger

tundras dont have soft rides, ive been in tractors that are smoother rideing.

They are about as smooth as a two legged mule going down a mountain.

Cattle Dog · #20 05-05-2011, 11:01 PM

My 1 ton gm with single rear wheels now has Firestone air bags: i keep them at 15 psi when running empty; or 40 psi when pulling a gooseneck cattle trailer.

JB_AOL · #21 05-06-2011, 07:56 AM

Quote:

heres what your up against. the air bag system for leaf springs is very expensice vs the coil spring set up. with coils... slip the bags in side the spring and fill them up. with a leaf systm you need bag holders and that will run you about 500 .

try the timbren system. its the easiest install and it wont double the value of your truck.

REally... you might want to actually look into what it costs to buy airbags. My neighbor just got his from princess auto for ~$100 (including all brackets for leafs). Mind you it's not firestone, but my brother paid $180 for his firestone airbags for his titan.

ccmckee · #22 05-06-2011, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiffy10

heres what your up against. the air bag system for leaf springs is very expensice vs the coil spring set up. with coils... slip the bags in side the spring and fill them up. with a leaf systm you need bag holders and that will run you about 500 .

try the timbren system. its the easiest install and it wont double the value of your truck.

The leaf spring type just bolt on between the axle and frame, takes about an hour if you take your time, no extra holders needed. Without on board air you just run the air lines to the back bumper with shraeder valves on them.

deanmc · #23 05-06-2011, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reeves1

Multi leaf over loads in the back. New mains with one extra leaf. Progressive coils put in the front. Ride was still like a 1/2 ton not loaded.
Load on the truck in this picture: 130 gal. diesel, digging bucket for 200 Hitachi as well as a mounding spade. Took all of it up a mountian logging road without any troubles. Had Standen axle in Calgary install all the springs. Great job and great price !

Now thats a load!!! Must have been a little underbraked for those mountain roads.

Hunter65 · #24 05-06-2011, 08:18 PM

No doubt that helpers work. But is the rest of the truck designed to take the extra weight too? Tramsmission, driveshaft, u-joints, wheel bearings etc. all carry that extra load as well, in one form or another. Maybe something to think about.

deanmc · #25 05-06-2011, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hunter65

No doubt that helpers work. But is the rest of the truck designed to take the extra weight too? Tramsmission, driveshaft, u-joints, wheel bearings etc. all carry that extra load as well, in one form or another. Maybe something to think about.

The op is only hauling the odd load of hay.

matathonman · #26 05-06-2011, 08:27 PM

Put in air bags. You won't regret it. Have them in all my truck now and before.