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Bucket
GenII
3/07/2008
16:28:38
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 Subject: Leaf springs
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Message:
Well a few years back i got a 4" suspension lift and about a year or so ago decided that the rear blocks ya gotta put under the leafs to even it out were not the way i wanted to go...so i went to "National Spring" they were right down the street from my house so cool deal right? well i had the rear of the truck weighed and gave them the weight and they made me some leafs to level me out... well three desert trips later the passenger side leaf broke in the rear,(also keeping in mind i only use this truck for prospecting so the total use after new leafs was exactly three trips of very mild offroad not even locked in four wheel drive)anyway the kook working the front desk at national spring when i took my truck in to show what happened said the shackle was bent back hitting the frame and broke the loop or eye on the rear and that it was a dodge factory defect,in their shackle design,i know thats not true but just to get a second opinion in on this,i took it to the offroad shop that did the lift and they said the springs were way too light for the weight and stretched the shackle too far hitting the frame,but dont feel bad because "National Spring" has been screwing up 3 out of 4 of the trucks he sends to them,so i took it in again to have it weighed and sure enough they were a thousand pounds off,so its gonna cost me another 500.00 for the extra leafs to get me up to the 3900 pound limit.MY POINT IS IF YOU OWN A DODGE DAKOTA YOU HAVE A BULLSEYE ON YOUR BACK ANYTIME YOU GO TO MOD YOUR TRUCK,SO DONT FEEL BAD YOUR AMONGST FRIENDS IN HERE....AND WE ALL GET THE SHAFT SOONER OR LATER.But i will be damned if ya think im going to get a different truck!!!
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Merk
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/10/2008
05:48:44
| RE: Leaf springs
IP: Logged
Message:
Your point should have been to stay away from National Spring leaf springs, and anyone who recommends their products.
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Bucket
GenII
3/11/2008
09:01:41
| RE: Leaf springs
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Message:
As soon as you say that you'll have someone else chime in swearing they got the best product in the world from national or whatever other mfg you put your two cents in on.Besides outside of San Diego "National Spring" is probably unheard of.Not to mention if i put in a plug for every mod or product that i put on my truck that wasnt up to snuff the list would be a long one.
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other bill
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/11/2008
12:33:39
| RE: Leaf springs
IP: Logged
Message:
Good info! I'm considering the same replacment...and adding more arch to come up with a true 4"s (those blocks currently provide 3"s). You stated, "sure enough they were 1000 pounds off..." was it miss-weighed by Nat'l or somebody else? The springs being determined too light... was this from them: building too light of a total spring pack, using too light of a spring 'stock', or that they were doing the math wrong? I would hope for their business' reputation that had they incorrectly weighed it or incorrectly built the 1st set of springs per the weight you provided, that they would be providing the next set free of charge...maybe even covering the install for your troubles. With their springs installed, did you notice it being overly soft or sagging at any time? I'm just looking for things to watch for should I decide to do mine. I'll await your comments before I contact Nat'l Spring though...I don't do business with folks who don't admit their errors. Good luck, and let us know.
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Bucket
GenII
3/12/2008
09:52:40
| RE: Leaf springs
IP: Logged
Message:
Well as per "Nationals" instructions,i took my truck to a place that weighs trucks and had the rear of the truck weighed,then i took the reciept with that weight to National and told them to add an extra 600 pounds to compensate for the gear i carry,because the truck was empty when i weighed it.So when i went back after it broke they said i "told" them the wrong weight so the springs were too light,I said thats wrong i didnt tell you the weight i brought the ticket in directly from the scales to you,the guy had nothing to say he just kept going from one excuse to another ...first its... i gave them the wrong weight then it went to the dodge rear shackles are a factory defect.The bottom line is they were 1000 lbs off,my truck actually weighed 3300 instead they had 2300,and yes when loaded down it did sag a little but my airbags always leveled it out.Anyway i am supposed to pick up my new leafs today for an additional 500 bucks on top of the original 800.00 cost.and i will be sure to let them know I am not happy.But then you can tell when you talk to them they dont care.Bill i would go elsewhere,The guy that did my lift on the truck even said the springs they do for him are usually wrong.
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Bucket
GenII
3/31/2008
13:56:39
| RE: Leaf springs
IP: Logged
Message:
Well i picked up my repaired/re-calculated leaf springs and will probably install them this coming weekend,the leafs went from 9 to 15 leafs,and they are heavy so it looks like i will be busy on sunday for a few hours,the guy at National spring said the ride wont be any stiffer,hopefully the ass-end of the truck wont be stink-buggin.
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Los Huevos
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/31/2008
17:19:13
| RE: Leaf springs
IP: Logged
Message:
stink-buggin?
¿Que es stink-buggin?
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Bucket
GenII
4/01/2008
12:49:17
| RE: Leaf springs
IP: Logged
Message:
you know.....mexican taxi = ass end up front end down... better on the pot holes in baja.
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