3500 leaf spring mods

I have a 2014 3500 4x4 with rear leaf springs. I don't do a lot of heavy hauling, occasional 5th wheel camper. I'd like to improve the ride by going to a softer leaf spring and add air bags for heavy use. Has anyone done this? Does it make sense from a cost perspective?

 

What are you running for rear tire pressure?

 

40 psi. Could probably go lower with load range E tires.

 

Not bad though, calculate your load and inflate accordingly will help the ride quality.

 

You could source the springs off an auto level truck and then add the auto-level airbags and manually fill them, thou I'm not sure it’s cost effective.

The 03-13 2500/3500 SRW main springs are softer, but not much softer so that’s likely not worth it.

Have you contacted Deaver about custom springs?

 

I was thinking of talking to them. You can get air bag kits for not a lot of money.

 

Is your truck SRW or DRW? Do you have a top overload or just the bottom? You might pull the bottom overload. When the main spring pack contacts the bottom overload, it is like a brick wall. They are designed to hold up a load and they do.

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You might give thuren fabrication a call and discuss what you want to do. They offer a softer spring
https://www.thurenfabrication.com/products/leaf-springs-for-2013-up-dodge-ram-3500

 

They do offer a nice spring, but it has some lift to it. If the OP isn't leveled it may give it more of a stink bug look, so that could be a concern.

But a set of Thuren level springs, Thuren active rate anti-sway bar, and rear springs with a set of good shocks would ride quite nice and look great too.

 

I also have a ‘14 3500 4x4 SRW with leaf springs. From new, the stock suspension was horrible, at best. I tried lowering air pressure to the point of feeling like the rear end was swaying all over the highway. Never did much good. I ended up cutting a ⅞” sheet of steel to fit the bed of the truck and bolted it down. That, was night and day difference. Truck smoothed right out and felt planted to the road instead of skipping all over and putting my spine out of the top of my head at every road crack. I then installed Thuren coils in the front and Carli leaf packs in the rear with Fox shocks all around. Truck rides and handles excellent, like it should have from the factory. I also installed air bags in the rear so my headlights wouldn’t blind others while towing heavy.