Changing to 2011 Leaf Springs on my 2005

[TxFireman1972]

Well I completed the changeover today. Not a whole lot to to write about. Pretty much the same as the drivers side, without having the fuel tank in the way lol. Like the drivers side, I removed the factory hanger on the pass side. I cant explain with words how easy the SnapOn air hammer made the job. I also went ahead and put 7/16" Grade 8 bolts in the top two holes on each side of the hanger. The rivets that were there also held a crossmember in place.

Before, with factory hanger still in place:

After, with factory hanger removed and bolts in place:

I think I might make a plate to go in place of the hanger, just to clean it up a little visually

I did go ahead and use the 2011 style UBolts and Spring Plates just to try it out. I finished up this evening, so I really haven't gotten to drive it much, just down the street and back. It does feel a little softer, which is exactly what I was looking for. Once I get some miles on it, I'll post some feedback. I did want to mention, I didn't see any change in ride height, will see how that is after a few miles as well.

 

[Tree Trimmer]

so if it feels softer, do you feel you lost capacity as well? i dont know what the poundage of the two different springs are, do you by chance? im thinking about doin this as well, as some improved ride quality would be nice, but i dont want to give up capacity to get there.

 

[Dzchey21]

i always wonderd about the newer trucks, they sure look like they sag more under a load then the older trucks do but i might be wrong, i think im just gunna pull a leaf out of mine and call it good... well another leaf anyway


thanks for the info this stuff is cool, i would have never guess the rear leafs were any different

 

[TxFireman1972]

so if it feels softer, do you feel you lost capacity as well? i dont know what the poundage of the two different springs are, do you by chance? im thinking about doin this as well, as some improved ride quality would be nice, but i dont want to give up capacity to get there.

i always wonderd about the newer trucks, they sure look like they sag more under a load then the older trucks do but i might be wrong, i think im just gunna pull a leaf out of mine and call it good... well another leaf anyway

thanks for the info this stuff is cool, i would have never guess the rear leafs were any different

I'm going to throw a set of airbags on anyway. Should be good for anything I need it for.

 

[Dzchey21]

same thing im gunna do

 

[TxFireman1972]

I snapped a couple of pics of the 2011 UBolt setup (UBolts point down instead of up) just in case someone wanted to see:

I haven't driven it much yet, but I do believe it settled a little. Its about 1/2" to 3/4" lower in the rear now with the 2011 leafs, compared to the 2008 leafs. I always try to keep the truck about 1" higher in the rear. To me, when a Superduty is exactly the same height on all 4 corners, it looks to me like its squatting on the rear. I'm right at 40" from the ground to the center of the fenderwell on all four corners. So I'm gonna put some more miles on it and see where it ends up and go from there. But I can tell you already, I will be changing something LOL. Just not sure yet if that means bringing the front down just a touch or going with a leveling kit/rear blocks to bring it up. We'll see what happens. Here is a pic of how it sits right now: