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92 W150 Leaf Springs #2891465
02/21/21 01:17 PM
02/21/21 01:17 PM
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Hotlumpy Offline OP
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Looking to replace the stock front springs on my 92 W150. All parts outlets show a 6 spring, 1900 lb pack for the front, 2 1/4” thickness for replacement. My truck has a 3 spring pack, that only shows up for up to 1991 year model, advertised as 1750 lb. Anyone know if they changed part way through the year, or why they went with a stiffer, higher pack for 92-93? Are the parts outlets wrong? Thinking the bigger pack would be for a W250? I think I may just order the springs for a 91 as I don’t want to make the ride rougher or throw off the geometry, any input?

Re: 92 W150 Leaf Springs [Re: Hotlumpy] #2891480
02/21/21 01:48 PM
02/21/21 01:48 PM
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As far as I know the springs were the same from 1975-1993. There were several different weight ratings. The paper tag under the hood showed what springs you had. Most were all 3 leaf. Possibly the HD had 5 leafs. After market may sell a replacement spring that is basically one size fits all so you should replace both of them. All the springs were negative arch. Are you sure yours are bad? They are pretty tough. With the negative arch a lot of people think they are worn out by the look. If they are not riding on the snubber they are most likely ok. You might just need a good shock.

Last edited by NITROUSN; 02/21/21 01:49 PM.
Re: 92 W150 Leaf Springs [Re: NITROUSN] #2891483
02/21/21 01:54 PM
02/21/21 01:54 PM
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Thanks, makes sense. It’s difficult at times ordering parts for the 92 W150, lot of obscure little changes. The drivers side has a pretty good sag, so I am going to replace both to restore the ride height. I have found the 3 leaf replacements at SD Truck Springs for $80/ each, or Rockauto has them for $95-$125/each. Anyone have a preference, or perhaps know of a kit that comes with new bushings and hardware?

Re: 92 W150 Leaf Springs [Re: Hotlumpy] #2891495
02/21/21 02:20 PM
02/21/21 02:20 PM
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Just so you know the lean to the left was a inherent design flaw. The truck sits to the left because of the weight. If you want to even it up some you can cut blocks off your old spring and shim it to make it look even. There was a old TSB and all it was is a block with longer u-bolts.

Re: 92 W150 Leaf Springs [Re: NITROUSN] #2891501
02/21/21 02:29 PM
02/21/21 02:29 PM
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Here is the tsb. The year does not matter as they never corrected the problem. You could first try the new springs to see how it sits. My experience the heavier the spring capacity the less the lean. I dealt with this issue being a dealer with the suspension and dynamics division of Dodge. They were well aware and wanted to have left and right springs to correct this. However production wanted no part of doing this. So hence the leaner.
Models: 1985-1988 "W"' & "AW" Series Four- Wheel Drive Vehicles

This bulletin supersedes Technical Service Bulletin 02-05-87, adding 1988 models.

Symptom/Condition:

Vehicle leaning or low on the left side

Parts Required: Spring Spacer Package 4397949 Consists of:

1 Spacer PN 4404171
2 U-Bolts PN 4404151 (Spicer Model 44 Axle)
2 U-Bolts PN 4404240 (Spicer Model 60 Axle)
4 Nuts PN 6029459

Repair Procedure:

This repair procedure describes the installation of a spacer block between the left front spring and axle assembly.

1. Using a hoist or hydraulic crane hooked to the towing eyes or at frame attachment, raise truck until weight is removed from front springs.

2. With wheels still touching the floor, install stands under side frame members as a safety precaution,

3. Remove the four nuts, lock washers, and both "U" bolts securing the left spring to the axle.

4. Raise vehicle slightly and insert spring spacer, PN 4404171, between spring and axle. Be sure spring center bolt aligns with locating hole in spacer and axle pad.

NOTE: ONLY ONE SPACER IS TO BE USED - DO NOT STACK.

5. Install the two new "U" bolts, new lock washers, and nuts and tighten until nuts push lock washers against axle spring plate.

NOTE. "U" BOLTS (SHORTER ONES), PN 4404151, ARE TO BE USED ONLY WITH THE SPICER MODEL 44 AXLE. "U" BOLTS (LONGER ONES), PN 4404240, ARE TO BE USED ONLY WITH THE SPICER MODEL 60 AXLE.

6. Remove stands from under frame and lower truck so weight is resting on wheels. Tighten "U" bolt nuts to 95 foot pounds.

Notes:

POLICY: Reimbursable within the provisions of the warranty

TIME ALLOWANCE:
Labor Operation No. 02-27-05-90 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.6 Hrs.

FAILURE CODE: 6X - Weak

Re: 92 W150 Leaf Springs [Re: NITROUSN] #2891513
02/21/21 02:44 PM
02/21/21 02:44 PM
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Hotlumpy Offline OP
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Wow, never knew! Didn’t notice the lean until around 130,000 miles after putting 32x11.50’s on. I appreciate the info, I have over 200,000 on the truck now, so I will investigate further to see if the springs are still good and if so I will shim it.

Re: 92 W150 Leaf Springs [Re: Hotlumpy] #2891520
02/21/21 03:02 PM
02/21/21 03:02 PM
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And that later included 92 models? Not sure of the differences between ‘88 and ‘92 models. I assume the ‘88 ran the same Dana 44 up front, similar weight? I have the NV4500 five speed and 5.2 Magnum w/AC.

Re: 92 W150 Leaf Springs [Re: Hotlumpy] #2891544
02/21/21 04:11 PM
02/21/21 04:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Hotlumpy
And that later included 92 models? Not sure of the differences between ‘88 and ‘92 models. I assume the ‘88 ran the same Dana 44 up front, similar weight? I have the NV4500 five speed and 5.2 Magnum w/AC.


As far as I know they are exactly the same. As far as weight the axle is un-sprung so that has nothing to do with the suspension.

Re: 92 W150 Leaf Springs [Re: NITROUSN] #2891554
02/21/21 04:34 PM
02/21/21 04:34 PM
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Remember, when you shim to lift one side, it will bring up the other side some too. Been there, done that. Just lift one side of your vehicle by hand (I know, not easy) while someone is holding yardstick to other side. You'll see, other side will come up approximately half or more of the side you are pysically lifting.


Facts are stubborn things.
Re: 92 W150 Leaf Springs [Re: larrymopar360] #2891558
02/21/21 04:39 PM
02/21/21 04:39 PM
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Originally Posted by larrymopar360
Remember, when you shim to lift one side, it will bring up the other side some too. Been there, done that. Just lift one side of your vehicle by hand (I know, not easy) while someone is holding yardstick to other side. You'll see, other side will come up approximately half or more of the side you are pysically lifting.


There is very little difference when shimming this way because it is un-sprung weight.

Re: 92 W150 Leaf Springs [Re: NITROUSN] #2891641
02/21/21 08:13 PM
02/21/21 08:13 PM
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My observations over the years, 3 leafs go with Dana44 and the 5 leaf goes with Dana 60.

I've never experienced the drivers side sag.

I've not noticed a big difference in ride with either spring. Bigger improvements are in shocks and tire pressures.


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Re: 92 W150 Leaf Springs [Re: ruderunner] #2891658
02/21/21 08:57 PM
02/21/21 08:57 PM
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larrymopar360 Offline
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Thankfully my '79 W150 doesn't have sag. I've seen plenty for sale with it. I was looking to buy a D150 that had a severe case. I even bought a set of the horse shoe like leveling shims for coils to use on one side (someone here showed them to me) in anticipation of purchasing the truck, but that fell through. I still have them.


Facts are stubborn things.
Re: 92 W150 Leaf Springs [Re: larrymopar360] #2891935
02/22/21 05:27 PM
02/22/21 05:27 PM
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I never knew of an issue with the 4wds but it was a known issue on certain years of the 2wd trucks. I've replaced the fronts with Moog Cargo Coils on the 2wds to eliminate the lean before.
If it wasnt noticeable til 130K (unless that was when you 1st got it) there is a good chance it is just from normal wear and tear, when you are teh only person in the truck, you are on that side. The gas tank is also on that side. After several years it would not be surprising for a truck to lean that way.
When I was an alignment guy, often (not always) all I had to do on vehicles with torsion bars (especially trucks/ and at that, especially Chevy S10s and S10 Blazers) was to crank the torsion bar on the low side to match the height of the high side, and the alignment would mysteriously and magically come back to "dead nuts". Alot of times no need to mess with shims or cams to bring them back into alignment. Often the driver side would be 1-1/2" lower at the center of the front fenderwell vs the passenger side, and if I had to then make further adjustment, it was usually on vehicles that had previously been aligned, while the truck had the lean. Before I sent my Durango in for alignment I made sure that my front end was level and cranked up to where it needed to be. (I no longer have alignment machine access, wish I did)

also if there is a problem in one corner, it will be also noticeable in the diagonal opposite corner.

Re: 92 W150 Leaf Springs [Re: volaredon] #2892780
02/24/21 05:35 PM
02/24/21 05:35 PM
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One thing that can help for anyone with the lean is getting a lithium battery (someone here was recommended to me when I just wanted overall weight savings). HUGE weight savings over standard battery. Takes some weight off that corner. They are more expensive, but supposedly they are much longer lasting and make up for the extra cost. I got a braille group 34. Their weight is somewhere between 5-10 pounds!


Facts are stubborn things.
Re: 92 W150 Leaf Springs [Re: Hotlumpy] #2893603
02/27/21 08:04 AM
02/27/21 08:04 AM
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redraptor Offline
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Originally Posted by Hotlumpy
I have over 200,000 on the truck now,

Deteriorating body mounts can account for some lean too. twocents







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