Saggy butt, springs or spacer

[MSFTMatt]

Currently running Clayton 2.5” Overland Plus with the HD springs in the rear. I recently installed the Expedition One Dual SwingOut tire carrier which added a lot of weight off the back. I’ve added the Shift frame brace as well. Ever since the tire carrier my ass end is sitting lower when it was level before. My question is where to swap out to maybe tbe 3.5” HD springs or just add a spacer to get back to level.

Sponsored

 

[Aleph]

The further rearward you place weight, the more pronounced effect that weight will have on the squat. Ditching the tire carrier or avoiding it in the first place is what I'd do, but you're obviously past that point.

Load all your gear in the bed and see how the ride is. If it rides rough like a dump truck or has a harder time keeping composure around curves/turns, go with taller and/or higher weight-rated HD springs so the ride is less compromised by the added weight, especially if you frequently carry cargo/gear in the bed. That's the direction I would go.

If you're happy with the ride and handling with the carrier + your typical cargo load, go with the spacers. The ride won't change as much if you go the spacer route.

I'm not an expert though, others should chime in.

 

[MSFTMatt]

That’s a good idea. When we do our overlanding trips we’re definitely weighted down pretty good, cap, water, fridge, extra fuel, etc.

 

[Aleph]

That’s a good idea. When we do our overlanding trips we’re definitely weighted down pretty good, cap, water, fridge, extra fuel, etc.

It also depends on how often you go on trips. If you're willing to tolerate the ride for only a couple trips a year (where spacers might be ok), then that's different than if you're carrying a heavy load on a daily basis (where you'll definitely want new springs). So try it out with your typical daily load to have an idea of what you want it to feel like for the majority of the time you use the truck, and also try it out on a trail with all your camping gear to have an idea of whether you are ok with how it carries itself with the weight (likely not great). You may already not like how it feels with just the carrier and no gear in the back.

I think going the spring route would be best for your case, assuming that the tire carrier stays on the truck 24/7, because those carriers are like a massive 300 lb person sitting on the very end of a see-saw. At the back, it doesn't take much to make you squat. The Gladiator (in stock form) wasn't really built to haul heavy, even though it can and will do it (reluctantly and uncomfortably).

 

[MSFTMatt]

Tire carrier is on all the time as nd I do carry some static weight all the time as well like fridge, recovery gear, secondary battery in bed. I’m used to how it drives now so new springs wouldn’t be a night/day difference but I also only intake a few real trips a year.

 

[brsnow2585]

What tires are you running? Not on my current vehicle but a previous, I noticed going from a C rate to an E rate tire did help with that some, along with staying more planted when aired down or keeping the sidewalls from rolling when turning. A spacer is more of a band-aid for an issue like that, you might not even have enough travel in your shocks to accommodate a big enough spacer to get the squat out.

 

[rharr]

JUst run some spacers, i had saggy but with some 3.5" springs, swapped out for 4.5" springs and it sort it out. Spacers are cheaper. If you don't like it, buy new springs later.

 

[Sandman 4x4]

If that was mine I would look into rear airbags. Or at least beefier rear coil springs. No spacers!

Sponsored