gene j Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 I had a very nice rack welded to the rear of my 92 Dolphin. It took some extensive shop welding to do it right but it did add some weight to the back. Does anyone know how I would lift the back up without loosing the efficiency of my new shock absorbers. I do have airbags and usually keep them about 50lbs around town and higher when loaded on a trip...the problem with that is the ride is pretty rough over any bumps. The airbags do give me the lift I need but I was wondering if there would be some more permanent fix that would lift without compromise on the ride, leaving the airbags free for loaded trips? When the air is out of the bags it just looks like its a bit too low. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 Well, if you don't want to raise the rear with the air springs then the only other choice I see is to either re-arch the springs or have new ones made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene j Posted January 22, 2011 Author Share Posted January 22, 2011 Well, if you don't want to raise the rear with the air springs then the only other choice I see is to either re-arch the springs or have new ones made. I guess I'll just ride out the bumps, thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maineah Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 Mine has 8 leaves in the rear springs and the back sits higher then the front (I actually have to raise the front to make it level when I park) and it rides hard but hey it's a truck. I would not call the ride unbearable but you know when you go over a bump so if your air bags work for you that's probably as good as it gets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 Well, there is one other option that I don't really consider a 'proper' fix, more of a 'Band-Aid'. You could always try a pair of 'helper springs' that clamp to your existing leaf springs. I've even heard of people installing 2 sets, 1 in front and 1 behind the axle. http://www.jcwhitney.com/leaf-spring-helpers/p2005985.jcwx?filterid=j1 http://www.jcwhitney.com/leaf-spring-adjustable-helpers/p2005984.jcwx?filterid=j1 http://www.jcwhitney.com/progressive-rate-helper-springs/p2005981.jcwx?filterid=j1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene j Posted January 22, 2011 Author Share Posted January 22, 2011 Mine has 8 leaves in the rear springs and the back sits higher then the front (I actually have to raise the front to make it level when I park) and it rides hard but hey it's a truck. I would not call the ride unbearable but you know when you go over a bump so if your air bags work for you that's probably as good as it gets. Thanks for the info. I was just concerned that the hard ride would jar things loose. I'm probably just being over cautious...thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene j Posted January 22, 2011 Author Share Posted January 22, 2011 Well, there is one other option that I don't really consider a 'proper' fix, more of a 'Band-Aid'. You could always try a pair of 'helper springs' that clamp to your existing leaf springs. I've even heard of people installing 2 sets, 1 in front and 1 behind the axle. http://www.jcwhitney...cwx?filterid=j1 http://www.jcwhitney...cwx?filterid=j1 http://www.jcwhitney...cwx?filterid=j1 Those springs certainly seem like they would help...thanks for the links....I'll give it a couple of more months and if things don't jar loose I'll just live with it. If not, I'll try the springs. Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobBeery Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 On mine the air bags had been removed and replaced with a rubber cushion about the same size. I was low in back empty, quite low in back loaded. I went to a truck spring shop and they added one extra leaf on each side. New center bolts and U-shackles were also needed. They also replaced all the bushings. Cost (from memory not exact) $350. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WME Posted January 28, 2011 Share Posted January 28, 2011 You need X amount of force to support the weight you have on the rear. Extra springs or airbag the same amount of force is needed. In very narrow techno speak the air bag will ride smoother at a given force than a spring will. There is friction/stiction between the spring leaves that increases harshness. WME Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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