Clayton 3.5” lift, standard or HD springs?

[5280.JT]

I’ve settled Clayton’s 3.5” lift for my gladiator, I just need to decide which rear springs to get now. I’ll have an ARE topper which I believe weighs around 200 lbs, a full size 37” spare, and I keep my recovery gear in the bed as well. Clayton states the HD springs are good for constant loading of 500lbs. I will exceed that weight on trips when I load the bed with gear, however majority of the time I’ll be below that with only what I have listed above. I want to maintain good ride height when I am loaded, but don’t know if I have enough weight most of the time to make my daily driving comfortable on the HD springs. Does anyone have experience with the HD springs while under their recommended 500 lbs, or the other option of their standard springs while loaded for weekend trips? Thanks

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[fourfa]

Hm, not sure how applicable my experience is - I put on a 500+ lb pop-up camper before the springs, and have never run without the camper and a lot of load in it. But I've done a lot of highway, pretty tough off-roading, and the Rubicon with the 3.5" HD rears, and I don't think I've ever bottomed out hard in the back. It's a lot of spring rate, and in my case with the load to match the springs it rides great. I would not doubt the HDs will do the job for you loaded.

Can't help with the other question (ie what's it like empty)

 

[5280.JT]

Hm, not sure how applicable my experience is - I put on a 500+ lb pop-up camper before the springs, and have never run without the camper and a lot of load in it. But I've done a lot of highway, pretty tough off-roading, and the Rubicon with the 3.5" HD rears, and I don't think I've ever bottomed out hard in the back. It's a lot of spring rate, and in my case with the load to match the springs it rides great. I would not doubt the HDs will do the job for you loaded.

Can't help with the other question (ie what's it like empty)

Thank you, that’s good to know!

It seems like I’m in a middle ground between the 2 springs. Either the standard springs with a softer ride daily driving but I lose some performance when loaded, or the HD springs where I lose some comfort for normal driving but I don’t have to worry about being loaded. Tough choice. I look forward to seeing if someone has experience with the HD while “unloaded”

 

[fourfa]

re: performance - you have two opposite things you want to balance against each other. One: spring rate as high as necessary to prevent bottoming out, and wallowing on side-slope transitions and highway dodging maneuvers. Two: spring rate as low as possible, to make sure you're not limiting articulation when you need it. Just going with the stiffest springs possible (which is basically what the Clayton HDs seem to be) might be "worse performing" even when loaded.

Honestly for just a shell and some gear sometimes I'd get the regular rears. Those of us wanting HDs all seem to have much heavier builds than what you're talking about

 

[5280.JT]

Thank you so much for your response, those are a few things I forgot to consider. Definitely more interested in the standard springs now!

 

[BunkieJeeper75]

I’ve settled Clayton’s 3.5” lift for my gladiator, I just need to decide which rear springs to get now. I’ll have an ARE topper which I believe weighs around 200 lbs, a full size 37” spare, and I keep my recovery gear in the bed as well. Clayton states the HD springs are good for constant loading of 500lbs. I will exceed that weight on trips when I load the bed with gear, however majority of the time I’ll be below that with only what I have listed above. I want to maintain good ride height when I am loaded, but don’t know if I have enough weight most of the time to make my daily driving comfortable on the HD springs. Does anyone have experience with the HD springs while under their recommended 500 lbs, or the other option of their standard springs while loaded for weekend trips? Thanks

I went with HD springs … no regrets !!! Perfect fit .. my overall weight with RTT and fully loaded is 7,300 lbs

 

[Iddpaul]

Eco diesel, upgraded to Clayton 3.5", and HD springs. I'm running a tire carrier and Decked bed system for normal use, loaded for camping and towing a teardrop trailer. IMO the ride is perfect loaded or unloaded with the HD springs.

 

[caryt]

I have a very tail heavy setup, all additional weight I've added is on the rear axle.
Last time I weighed it over a year ago it was 3340lbs on the front and 3670 on the rear I've added weight since then likely at least 250lbs. I need to re-weight it.
At first I went with Clayton HD diesel springs but was high in front and way to stiffly sprung for my front weight.
On a suggestion from Phil @Liberty Mountain Fab who tuned and setup the ADS bypass shocks etc went to 5" gas springs in front. Now the ride is perfect and sets level.

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