D250 front spring selection

[ellis93]

Did some searching,plundering of other treads to come up with different and readily available spring that can be bought for our 2wd dodge trucks. So far the top choices are:

7226:bar diameter .906 install height 13.13 load 1725
7226s:bar diameter .906 install height 13.12 load 2224
5716s:bar diameter .937 install height 12.75 load 3251

I have to buy say some soon,front is saging again and since I had also added to the rear at the same time as I put the new coils in 5yrs ago I have the start of a nasty rake. I've entertained the idea of losing the add a leaf in the rear to level it back off but I'm afraid that once the front starts it's fall that it will keep going,causing me to buy some front springs anyway and having to put the add a leaf back in. No exactly something I look forward to doing to many times.
Question here is,how many inches of space between the top of your tires and the bottom of your fender? Also how long do the 7226s last? Thats the ones I'm leaning toward.

[dazedandconfused]

Kind of off topic but does anyone know the difference between the 1st and 2nd gen coils?

[PToombs]

Ellis, mine have been in for 3 years or so and it still sits up there pretty good. It's buried in the barn so I can't measure it right now. If I ahd to guess I'd say it has 3-4 inches between fender and tire. It's settled about an inch since I put them in.

Andy, 1 fits and the other doesn't.

[dazedandconfused]

Ellis, mine have been in for 3 years or so and it still sits up there pretty good. It's buried in the barn so I can't measure it right now. If I ahd to guess I'd say it has 3-4 inches between fender and tire. It's settled about an inch since I put them in.

Andy, 1 fits and the other doesn't.

Yeah thats no help Pete. i was wondering how much they changed.

[cmann250]

Yeah thats no help Pete. i was wondering how much they changed.

I take it 2nd gen 2wds didn't use coils? I can measure a 4x4 2nd gen spring. I'm pretty sure they're taller. I spent alot of time face to face with one intalling a leveling kit

[Mark Nixon]

5716s:bar diameter .937 install height 12.75 load 3251

I have a set of those that I bought from Rock Auto, lying here on the floor, new in the box.
Are you sure you wish to use GM spec parts in your Dodge?

I actually bought mine for the carhauler and have yet to use them.

Mark.

[ellis93]

5716s:bar diameter .937 install height 12.75 load 3251

I have a set of those that I bought from Rock Auto, lying here on the floor, new in the box.
Are you sure you wish to use GM spec parts in your Dodge?

I actually bought mine for the carhauler and have yet to use them.

Mark.

Why not,might run better
I just wish someone had used them by now,that way if they made the truck ride like a block wheeled wagon I'd know
I'm probably gonna go with the 7226s springs and hope for the best,just sucks having to do this again,thought I bought a quality set last time only to have the sag again

[ellis93]

Ellis, mine have been in for 3 years or so and it still sits up there pretty good. It's buried in the barn so I can't measure it right now. If I ahd to guess I'd say it has 3-4 inches between fender and tire. It's settled about an inch since I put them in.

Andy, 1 fits and the other doesn't.

Yeah thats no help Pete. i was wondering how much they changed.

Andy...on my search for different springs I've ran across a few treads on using the second gen poly spring spacers so.....I don't really think there's much different between the two other than the shock placement,problem with using the spacers is finding someone to give decent feedback on them. Along the lines of how tbey hold up

[PToombs]

Andy, I know my 2nd gen 4x4 springs look taller and thinner than my 7226s 1st gen springs. On a quick visual anyways. I could measure them but I can't get at the '92.

[dazedandconfused]

If i lower my dually ill find out then but was just wondering.

[PToombs]

Thought you were selling it? Make up my mind!

[dazedandconfused]

If i got the right price i would. I need more cab room but other then that i really love the truck.

[Remps]

Iirc, the 93 I used to own was 34“ from ground to wheel well lip sitting on 265/75/16 tires and 5716 springs. just for laughs, i bolted a 315/75/16 on the front to see if it would even go on. It had about 1/2“ clearance at the tightest spot, wouldnt have been able to turn the wheel much. The ride was firm, not as firm as the W250 though.

[ellis93]

Iirc, the 93 I used to own was 34“ from ground to wheel well lip sitting on 265/75/16 tires and 5716 springs. just for laughs, i bolted a 315/75/16 on the front to see if it would even go on. It had about 1/2“ clearance at the tightest spot, wouldnt have been able to turn the wheel much. The ride was firm, not as firm as the W250 though.

So those will work huh? Cool

[Mark Nixon]

Iirc, the 93 I used to own was 34“ from ground to wheel well lip sitting on 265/75/16 tires and 5716 springs. just for laughs, i bolted a 315/75/16 on the front to see if it would even go on. It had about 1/2“ clearance at the tightest spot, wouldnt have been able to turn the wheel much. The ride was firm, not as firm as the W250 though.

So those will work huh? Cool

Use the 5716s cautiously, meaning keep an eye on the lower control arm and the upper pocket areas.
I have a reliable source telling me that they may want to tear things up on the Dodge set-up.
Since the Chevrolet control arms are physically longer than the Dodges are, I can see the reasoning.
He feels that the Chevy springs are stiffer to counter their longer arms and I've a feeling he's correct in saying damage may occur over the long run.

Mark.