Firstgenfanatic

My 93' W250 does not have the factory overload springs and "bump-stops" on the pickup. Many other 1st gens I've looked at have them. What is the story on that?..........was my truck ordered as a "lighter-duty" 3/4 ton? I plan to pull a 5th wheel travel trailer and or gooseneck setup. Would 1st gen folks out there suggest putting these on for extra support? I would also like to add on air-bags to the rear. I noticed that holes are "pre-drilled" from the factory for the overload "bump-stop" brackets. I plan to haul/tow with this pickup and wonder if adding on factory overload springs will help. Thanks

Philip

Do the air bags and don't worry about the factory overloads.

Firstgenfanatic

Would the combination of factory overloads and airbags gain me better suspension support under heavier loads?

farmer0_1

only thing i noticed pulling my 37 ft fifth wheel over a good grade my rear springs wrap and release giving you a nice jerking motion. i have the factory overloads i was thinking of putting them back on since the prevoius owner took them off.

Philip

The add on air bags are rated for 5k. The factory overloads are not even close to that. The air bags give you the option of adjusting the ride to the load. With the factory overloads if you have a lite load and just barely are touching it can bounce off the overloads and give a very jarring ride.

If your stock springs are weak. You can get into spring wrap like farmer talked about.

wannadiesel

The factory overloads were optional, chances are your truck wasn't ordered with them. If you ordered the 10 leaf packs, overloads were not available at all.

I agree with Philip about the ride with factory overloads. I have the 6 leaf packs and overloads. My truck rides nice with an empty bed, and is downright cushy with 4,000 lbs in the bed. Put 1,500 lbs or so in there and it smacks the overloads every time you hit a bump, it almost feels like you are bottoming out.

Firstgenfanatic

So in a nut shell............the overloads might be worth putting on my pickup? I want extra support for hauling average loads. I was asked by a family member to haul 1 yard of crushed rock in a few weeks. I figured my non-overload spring equipped pickup was up to the task. Now I'm thinkin' the overloads may be a good thing to throw on before taking on this job.

Overloads........yay or nay?

roxxx

I am putting the soft rides on mine and if i tow i will put the air bags on that way i hope to get the best of both. my devalued 2 cents

Firstgenfanatic

I did a count on my rear leaf springs........ 7 total. 6 springs if you don't count the top one that has the shackle eyelets. I'm assuming that these are standard springs equipped on a D/W 250?

farmer0_1

on my c cab i was thinking of biting the bullet and getting some of the soft rides front and back. i would love air ride on all four but i know i won't get to it. i thought i would order the rear ones that eliminate the four inch blocks. any one go that way here. just want to haul my gooseneck and not have the spring wrap issues.

Philip

The soft rides are not good for hauling. I bet you would have spring wrap with them also in a heavy pull. Going with the 4" version you would need air bags to cover the lose of weight capicity.

I do not have overloads on my W350. I wouldn't put a set on eather. It takes 6k to set my truck level. I have a 11k GVW chassis.

farmer0_1

thanks for the answer. kind of puts me back to square one. better than spending 1k and then not being happy.

Philip

If you do a search on soft rides on some of the other sites. The biggest complaints on the rears is lose of weight carring ability. They give a good ride. But they are to soft for hauling.

OldCool90 has a set of 6" on his truck. PM him and ask how they are on carrying a load.

wannadiesel

You have the 7 leaf packs, those were standard on W250/350's. The 6 leaf packs were standard on D250/350's but not available on the 4X4's. Just be glad you don't have the kidney-punching 10 leaf packs back there...

I would recommend air bags instead of overloads.