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nicaland · 03-01-2021, 05:07 PM

Has anyone with a one ton Dodge chassis ((B350 and B3500) and a 4000lb. front axle tried Dayton's HD front springs (part # 350-900HD)? The stock wire diameter is .875", and these are .935", and according to Dayton add about an additional 1000lb capacity. They also are estimated to increase ride height by about an inch. I'm concerned as to if my shocks can handle that increased length, and additionally if I will end up with an overly stiff front end. My original springs at 65,000 miles are bottoming out way too much, need replacement, and it appears that Moog and others no longer stock the original springs.

Skip426 · 03-01-2021, 05:41 PM

Your shocks length will not be an issue .
The added ride height means the suspension doesn't settle down as far with the added spring strength . Suspension travel and shock travel don't change, those are part of the chassis design .
With the added coil diameter , my concern would be coil binding;( the coils of the spring contacting before the suspension hits the travel snubber.)
But I'd need to see the springs side by side , to determine if that would be an issue.

nicaland · 03-02-2021, 07:06 AM

Thanks Skip426. That makes sense. Perhaps the extra length is designed in to prevent coil binding. Dayton does indicate that the one inch increased ride height is present when the vehicle is fully loaded. I did tell them I was concerned about my shock's fully extended length, and they told me that they have received no complaints in that regard as well.

Skip426 · 03-02-2021, 09:52 AM

The spring replacement is not a complicated DIY job ; using all safety precautions ; but the ride height increase will mean alignment will need to be reset.
Check all the ball joints before you start , no sense having the suspension apart twice .

nicaland · 03-03-2021, 07:34 AM

You are certainly right. Actually I decided to replace my springs now in conjunction with other front end suspension components that I previously determined to be in need of replacement, including lower ball joints, idler arms, and inner tie rods. Incidentally, I spoke to an local long standing spring shop yesterday that expressed concerns about my shock's ability to handle the extra spring height. After more research into looking for another spring option, and finding that my only other choice would be custom springs costing 2-3 times as much as the Daytons, I am going to go ahead with them. If the shocks blow out they are easy to replace, and there is another Monroe PN available with has an inch longer stroke that will require minimal lower mount modification to fit the tapped holes in my lower A arm. I'll let you know how it pans out!

Skip426 · 03-03-2021, 08:36 AM

When you get things apart , could you post a picture of the original and replacement springs , side by side . TIA

nicaland · 04-15-2021, 04:09 PM

Well, I ended up not buying the Dayton springs, and instead purchased a set from Coil Spring Specialties, and I couldn't be happier that I did. They cost about $70 more, but were well worth the additional expense. The advertised 30% greater stiffness of the Dayton springs was worrying me, and after a bit more digging contacted Coil Spring Specialties, and was impressed from the get-go. They first requested any and all details of my application, and then were able to find the exact spring set installed by Dodge. After some calculations based on my Xplorer's weight, they suggested going up to 15% over the original spring specs, and reportedly engineered them by examining 11 different parameters. They fit perfectly, and were per the original spring height. Upon removal of my old springs, I found that they had sagged 1-1/2"! No wonder I was experiencing bottoming. She now rides a good 1" higher than before, and the spring rate is simply perfect, not harsh, and no more bottoming. I can't recommend these folks enough! Sorry but I didn't take any photos, but their wire size was quite a bit larger, and the coil spacing was similar.