My tow rig is a 95 Dodge 1500 with the 318. It does OK, but certainly needs some help. A new tow rig has to wait until I get the Mrs done with school (2 more years :eek: ) my budget is stretched pretty damn thin (no way I can afford a truck payment) so I need to do what I can to make this one last.

The motor runs as strong as a 318 can, tranny is good, good tires.

I want for it to sit a little bit more level with the trailer on it though, she's squatted down mighty low with the ol Bronc on there. So here's my two ideas:


Replace the leaf springs with some out of a 2500 with the overloads
Add the coilover 'helper' shocks from the likes of Monroe or Gabriel http://www.monroe.com/products/mp_detail.asp?cat=Sensa-Trac&detail=Load%20Adjusting%20Shock%20Absorbers
Air bags (do they even make them for a dinky 1/2 ton rig that isn't lowered?)


Anyone with thoughts or ideas? Experiences? Other suggestions?

id get an over load spring set up from kragen for cheap and then just get a weight distribution hitch set up for like 300 and youll be sitting pretty

I pulled my stock springs and blocks, and put on some superlift 4.5" rear springs. (I also had 3" spacers up front). I also put rs9k's at all 4 corners to help with swap.

I liked the setup, and once I did the plenum gasket, and timing chain, it worked great. Got 11 mpg towing my 4runner too.

I ended up putting on some 2500lb overload springs. I think they cost $200 total. Not so much for squat but they helped greatly in absorbing bigger bumps in the road.

Rancho 9000 shocks were added as well

Between both of them, my tow rig (96/1500/360/auto) rides pretty nice while towing, but rides more like a 3/4-1 ton when not.

Cheapest way would probably be to stiffen the rear springs, by adding leaves or finding used 2500 spring (or overloads). Air bags should be readily available, and will let you still have the 1/2 ton ride when unloaded.

Pete

I am sure you could find bags for it if you looked

Hell, I found bags for my isuzu rodeo when I was looking out the window at it one day with the quad trailer on it.........

http://www.suspensionconnection.com/cgi-bin/suscon/2071D.html

For cheap used 2500 springs. If you can afford it airbags.