On another thread I said I was, along with installing disk brakes, going to install new springs replacing our sadly under capacity 5200 pieces as supplied by Keystone. Very simple job but there are a couple things to watch for.
I ordered 26" long, 6 leaf, 6000 pound springs from etrailer to replace the original 4 leaf 5200 pound springs. 6000 pound capacity since this Montana High Country weighs in quite a bit more then the advertised shipping weight (scales @~11,900) and that the originals were starting to flatten out. An error I made was believing the Dexter chart and that I had 35" between axles (yes) and they took 26" springs(NO!). Oops! They should be 25-1/4". Regardless, I used them anyhow and to date, the only change seen is that the tires are 3/4" closer together (3/8" from the center bolt each direction over two two springs). If you decide to do something like this, measure closely!!!!!! I did and they still appeared to be what Dexter said. D#$%%$^%
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Second to watch for, I also used the etrailer Redline 9/16" u-bolts but reused the original plate with the 1/2" holes opened slightly. That kit from etrailer is a universal 1-3/4 or 2 inch kit with the width of that plate being too wide and will bend. It's also at least one steel gauge thinner. I also added hardened ARP washers to get correct torque on the nuts. The rest of the job was a simple wrenching job plus installing all new wet bolt bushings - and the bolts themselves - now cross drilled with a #43 drill bit so there will two grease exit holes so maybe this set of bronze bushings will last longer then 15,000 miles.
I had added 1" spacers to the original springs to get a bit more tire to body and rear bumper to ground clearance on sharp upgrades. I didn't install the spacers with the new springs as the heftier 3/4" thicker springs plus almost an inch of added height from the increased capacity seemed enough. We'll see - they are waiting on my workbench JIC.
OK, first 110 mile driving impressions are that the 5er still tracks very well and those bridge approaches and departures are no longer causing a bounce and wallow rebound. So, for less then $150 and a few hours seem to have 'cured' our 5ers on road manners.
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