Anyone explored replacement leaf springs?

[GHawk16]

I had the icon pack on their with no weight in the back and stock right height (icon pack with drop shackles, no add a leaf) for a few weeks and it was probably one of the best riding rear ends of any truck I have ever had. It was strong when towing and road like an absolute cloud on the freeway. Gravel roads it soaked up the bumps really well and it flexes really well, barely nicks the exhaust at full droop though.
Night and day to stock and I reccomend it!
That’s a pretty good reason to make the purchase!!

What option were you running when you did this? I have an ARE CX Revo topper, Line-X'd bed and was thinking of getting a Decked system, but didn't want it to sag. I despise Icon for issues I had in the past with them, but it seems they are the only ones with leaf packs. I read in another post Option 3 would be the best for the above as I don't want to raise the rear either. I'm also running Halo 2.5's and plan to only raise the front 1.75" so I have some rake. Will option 3 be TOO much rake and make me go higher than stock? Then based on what you did, I could add an add-a-leaf later on if I get a camper. So option 3 with 2" drop shackles would keep me at stock height adding a Decked? Or am I confused? HAHA

 

[GARidgeRunner]

What option were you running when you did this? I have an ARE CX Revo topper, Line-X'd bed and was thinking of getting a Decked system, but didn't want it to sag. I despise Icon for issues I had in the past with them, but it seems they are the only ones with leaf packs. I read in another post Option 3 would be the best for the above as I don't want to raise the rear either. I'm also running Halo 2.5's and plan to only raise the front 1.75" so I have some rake. Will option 3 be TOO much rake and make me go higher than stock? Then based on what you did, I could add an add-a-leaf later on if I get a camper. So option 3 with 2" drop shackles would keep me at stock height adding a Decked? Or am I confused? HAHA

I'm running a Smart Cap with Decked system and a few resident items in the back. I ran option 2 for one week before switching to option 3. Option 2 resulted in sitting 1.75" lower in the rear compared to stock. Making the switch to option 3 put the rear ride height back to stock.

This is with 1.75" of lift in the front and option 3 with shackle in the back.

 

[GHawk16]

I'm running a Smart Cap with Decked system and a few resident items in the back. I ran option 2 for one week before switching to option 3. Option 2 resulted in sitting 1.75" lower in the rear compared to stock. Making the switch to option 3 put the rear ride height back to stock.

This is with 1.75" of lift in the front and option 3 with shackle in the back.View attachment 35826

Thanks! Still seems it has a lot of rake at 1.75" lift up front and that amount of weight. Are you running the 2" drop shackle in the back? Did you notice any difference in ride between options 2 and 3? I see maybe running option 2 so it lowers my rear a little so my truck sits a little more level with only doing a 1.5-1.75" lift up front.

 

[GARidgeRunner]

Thanks! Still seems it has a lot of rake at 1.75" lift up front and that amount of weight. Are you running the 2" drop shackle in the back? Did you notice any difference in ride between options 2 and 3? I see maybe running option 2 so it lowers my rear a little so my truck sits a little more level with only doing a 1.5-1.75" lift up front.

I am using the Icon shackle that lowers the rear by 1”. When I made the switch to option 3 it felt more stable and controlled although option 2 was a huge improvement over stock. Running at option 2 would certainly provide a more level look. I just wanted more rake and the ability to hold our full camp load out without doing a reverse rake.

 

[DirtyMitch]

Talking to RPG and Camburg about installing some deavers, shackles and UCA's.

Camburg was not the most confidence inspiring and their recommendation went against what Deaver told me directly. Deaver said it would be hard to notice the difference on the road between the L84 and L84HD, but the HD will give me more stability when towing. Camburg said the HD will be too stiff and the L84 is plenty. Will most likely go with RPG's recommendation since they are mostly a Ford shop.

On a related note, took the SmartCap off while the valve body was being replaced. Surprising how different the truck drives without that weight over the rear. Also...looks great without it, but can't beat the peace of mind of having everything secure in there.

 

[Machine]

Finally had enough sun and warmth to spend some time outside today and below are images of the current leaf springs. As mentioned, there's maybe 500Lbs on the springs, but even if there's 600Lbs, it seems like it's too flat, especially with the tow package. But maybe this is normal?

For those with the Icon or other aftermarket leaf springs (with a cap and/or other weight in the back) do you have any photos of the springs in their weighted, flat-ground, static position?

And yes, I need a carwash...

Thanks!

 

[traymore]

Any update with Deaver?
I have a Tune M1 camper in the back (500lbs) + full build out + 25 gal water tank, battery, + gear. Probably a 1000lbs constant load. Runs level with 2.5 front Bilstein 6112, but would like a bit of rack for rear departure angle improvement and look

 

[Bucket1]

Nobody tried the Icon springs? Seems like a great option, stock, +300lbs, or +700 lbs option (while maintaining factory height).

It’s either Icon or RAS for me. Use is an overlanding platform with a pop up camper. Probably will have 600-800lbs in the bed at all time. Thoughts?

I have a similar set up plus winch up front using RAS right now but will be doing a front and rear spring package plus resi shocks

 

[DoubleT]

I had the icon pack on their with no weight in the back and stock right height (icon pack with drop shackles, no add a leaf) for a few weeks and it was probably one of the best riding rear ends of any truck I have ever had. It was strong when towing and road like an absolute cloud on the freeway. Gravel roads it soaked up the bumps really well and it flexes really well, barely nicks the exhaust at full droop though.
Night and day to stock and I reccomend it!
That’s a pretty good reason to make the purchase!!

When you were running this set-up, did you still have the stock rear lift blocks in?

When I got my Tremor I swapped the rear lift blocks with the FX4 blocks to drop it ~1.25" in the rear. Would love to be able to keep close to the same height with the Icon leaf pack (unloaded), but the heights quoted on their website don't say anything about whether they are including the stock block still.

Wondering if the Icon pack (+1.75), plus removal of any lift block (-2.25ish), plus the 1" drop shackle (-1) get me close to the 1.25" inch drop I have right now?

 

[RotorHead695]

What we've noticed is, we still we have a slight sag with 500lbs in rear. This is at a 2.5in front lift from stock. As far as fitment goes, They're identical. If you have any kind of level kit on the truck we're having a hard time getting any rake back in the truck so when we actually put weight back there, we're nose heavy. Now stock "stock", doesn't appear to have issues. But most folks I know, including myself we have the truck leveled or lifted.

I'm curious to pick your brain since you seem to have a lot of experience on what I'm thinking of doing on my 22 Tremor. To set the stage, I previously had a 2018 Raptor with the +2.5" Eibach springs in the front and Deaver +3HD in the rear. I had ~400lbs static load in the bed and I sat almost perfectly level, would sag a bit when I added a trailer.

With the Tremor I plan on towing a ~5000lb GW trailer with a weight distribution hitch and the same 400 lbs static load in the bed. I'm thinking about just going with a 2" lift (Halo stage 1) in the front and the Deaver +4HD Raptor springs. Thoughts?

Thanks for any input.

 

[NickJ28]

So I did a fun little leaf spring project today. Probably took me 4 hours. But having done it, I could do it again in half the time.

I previously lowered the rear of my truck and put in the Eibach 1.5” lift block instead of the stock Tremor block. Loved the improvement in ride quality but also just picked up a CanAm and had a feeling that the truck wasn’t going to do what I wanted while towing.

(Eibach block: https://eibach.com/product/LB81-35-...VJW3yVNeFoFpTdH7T7xfbSTS6Rb5jmLZs4uQSafBTAJWj)

So I picked up this add a leaf spring: https://www.generalspringkc.com/201...leaf-with-factory-3-2-1-leaf-802-lb-increase/

And I chose the “long” option. This added 2-3 steps to the install because it goes between the first and second springs instead of between the 2nd and the overload spring (that would be the “short” option).

I also installed these between the springs: https://sbfilters.com/products/leaf...41413&pr_ref_pid=9768656732453&pr_seq=uniform

I used the spring clips supplied by General but also have these on the way, but I’m not sure they are necessary: https://bds-suspension.com/products...SquUU9uOTQpHaH24nxAH02ZBKV8PoUhMGKugZ5TkaXt7H



Install was straight forward. Only real hurdles were cutting off the OEM spring clips and driving the “nub” out of the spring.


I haven’t measured ride height, I’ll do that in a week or so after it has settled. I imagine it’s very close to stock Tremor height now. First drive around town was very nice. The truck is certainly firmer but by no means stiff. This is tough to describe with words, but the rear now seems to match the front much better. They move over bumps “in time” much better than before. Dare I say the natural frequency of each system is more aligned? Looking backwards, it felt like the stock 2/1 leaf setup almost “lagged” the front.

For reference I have the Eibach S2R setup.


Hope this helps someone.

 

[DoubleT]

Thanks for sharing, definitely interested in your long-term thoughts on the set-up. Seems like a great budget option to add some more oomph to the rear suspension without going Icon/Deaver.

Have the same Eibach set-up and agree with the out of sync movement between the front and rear, especially hitting bumps at highway speeds.

 

[NickJ28]

After a week, the ride height is 28” hub to fender. I’m probably going to remove the 1.5” block to get back to stock height - which I think is 26.5”.

Still firm. Probably topping out the shocks because of the ride height.

Body roll is almost non existent. It puts power down incredibly well. Steering response is improved.

Lots of good things happening so far. Just a bit firm which I think gets fixed by removing the block.

 

[Tremgineer]

I’m very interested in the outcome here. Are you planning to reinstall the OEM block? I wonder if the AAL adds height un-loaded, or if it doesn’t add un-loaded height but reduces squat

 

[NickJ28]

You can remove all blocks. Overall I think this is worthwhile. It’s firm but not uncomfortable. I’ll be towing with it tomorrow


One piece of advice for anyone messing with blocks and leaf springs: it’s very easy for the axle to get off center, even with the two nubs on the block. Have a ratchet strap handy to pull the axle to center it under the truck. You’ll know if the car starts tracking to the side or if one side of the bed is higher than the other.