Hello all. I have an '89 D150 with 318 and stock front suspension. I have new suspension parts to put in (upper and lower ball joints, inner and outer tie rod ends, & strut rod bushings) and have been thinking about doing the springs and shocks at the same time. Truck is at stock ride height with no plans to lower it. Wheel and tire combo is upgraded to a 265/35/22. What I want to do is control the front end bounce when I hit humps at speed. Is there a truck that I can pull springs from at the junk yard that will help? Say D250 or a crew crab that will have heavier/stiffer springs. Is there an application that I can look at for stiffer shocks? An HD version from the parts stores? A high $ part like bilsteins etc is out of the question. I've always had good luck with stock replacements from the parts store but I've never looked for anything stiffer.

Thanks in advance
roe

Gabriel offers coil over shocks for our trucks.front is 34052 and rear is 43067.

If you change the spring you will change the ride height. I'd go with the HD shock that will fit.

Ok so I should just look at the HD offerings. That's exactly what I'll do then. I wonder what's involved in the coil over setup. I won't likely be using it but it sounds interesting.

Thanks

Edit: took a look at the spring assist Gabriel's and see they are a direct bolt in. $75 a piece is almost the price of bilsteins.

they are sold in pairs

You're right. The others I was looking at were sold as individual shocks so I assumed they were as well. That makes it a whole lot easier to justify the purchase to myself.

If your constraints are stock ride height and increase handling. Here is what you need to add. Low profile tires, stiffer springs, stiff shocks and anti sway bars.

Call Springs and things. Ask them what you stock spring rate is. Then choose a higher spring rate in the stock length. They will custom make a pair for a very good price.

While you don't need to scrape the ground, stock ride height leaves alot on the table. A moderate drop is a great upgrade on these trucks.