Put an ARE shell(MX model = taller and heavier, but roomier!) on my '20 after putting on 5100's, and now my rake is gone. Looking for experience/input on adding a spring(s) to rear rather than a bigger block. Am trying to maintain rake.

Spring better at maintaining rake while under load(trailer and/or in bed)? Assume it will stiffen ride, but by how much? Bilsteins offset stiffness?

Blocks don't really change your ride, just your ride height, whereas springs will change your ride? Will the increase in stiffness be unbearable?

Thx All!

 

I cannot comment on how it will ride, but one thing to consider is increasing the height, and what your Bilsteins can accommodate. For example, I have Fox 2.0 rear shocks on my 18, and added a block to give me 1 extra inch. Per Fox's website, the shocks I got are for 0-1 inch of additional lift, so I would need to get another Fox shock if I wanted to raise the rear two + inches.

 

I have Bilstein 5100s and an Autospring add-a-leaf kit. The Bilsteins are, as I recall, good for between 0" - 2" of lift.

That said, I advocate adding leafs over adding blocks. Whether you have a shop install or install yourself, the biggest part of the job is labor. And labor is practically the same whether you install a leafs or blocks. The difference in price between leafs and blocks isn't that much; say, $100 (but probably less).

A truck with Bilsteins and an add-a-leaf kit rides better than a stock truck. But I've got a lot of weight in the back full-time, and ride quality was never my biggest concern. If you click on my build thread linked from my signature you can see all of the measurements I took over time with several different suspension configurations.

YMMV

 

I think with the added weight of your shell,it would offset some of the stiffness the AAL’s would create and as a plus you would bump up your pay load. Not sure if you tow any,but that would be a plus in that scenario. I think with having the Bilsteins on you wouldn’t notice a huge difference.
What is your heights all around? Add a leafs add about 1.5 to 2” of height so you might have to factor in going with a 1” smaller block to offset that height. Depends on how much rake your looking for.

 

Agreed.
You have to be careful about that; many people (especially those who paid for the HDPP package) will tell you that your sticker dictates your payload. And legally speaking, they're right. Literally speaking, your axle is probably your limiting factor to max practical payload, so upgrading your springs will help a lot.
I first removed the stock 4x4 1.25" block and added a leaf to either side which netted me 0.3" in the rear. I ultimately added 1" poly blocks back in the rear to get me where I am now:

Mods.........................Front.....Rear......Rake
Stock........................37.125....39.75.....2.625
+ 2" spacers, Decked.........38.75.... 39.0625...0.3125
+ wheels & tires.............40.1875...40.25.....0.0625
+ bumper & cargo.............39.75.....39.5625..-0.1875
+ AAL, - stock block.........39.75.....39.875....0.125
+1" block....................39.625....41.031....1.406
+Bilsteins & HDPP springs....40.54.....40.75.....0.22
-spacers, Bilsteins to 2.1”..39.56.....40.75.....1.19

 

I actually just read your build thread this morning. Very nice truck by the way 🙂
I just ordered the stage 1 fox kit with add a leafs and 1” smaller block the other day. I tow a TT and I get quite a bit of squat even with WD hitch so I’m looking forward to towing with the new set up. I have a 6” lift and the rear shocks they provide are absolute garbage.

 

Thx for the responses. Springs sound attractive. Sounds like the net result of additional springs is that I would get a beefed up rear end which might not be a bad thing. I love what the 5100's have done for my ride and for the rear control, so I would not want to lose that though. Concerned about adding bounce too.

Springs add height(how much?) and load abilities, but what about changes in hitch limits(how to calculate?)? Will they reduce hitch sag more than factory springs with a bigger block(3")?

I have the 5100's on the rear, and I have also added tires with a higher Aspect Ratio both of which should help with the stiffness? Frankly, the 5100's have improved my ride to the point that it almost drives more like a car than a traditional truck. A stiffer more "truck" like ride seems normal(+/-) to me. I've come from an '03 with 280k and LT tires, so I am used to a traditional "truck" ride, and also had old school trucks growing up, but I don't want to cancel out my 5100's with springs and have the old washboard bounce return.
Thx for the comment and the help.

JB

 

The add a leafs will definitely reduce squat when it comes to towing or just more cargo in general as now you will have one extra leaf per side. I’ve consistently seen about 700 lbs of extra load carrying capacity advertised through my searches. If you don’t tow much,you’ll probably be fine with going to a 1” bigger block. There are other setups like airbags and timbrens to look at as well. I tow a travel trailer often enough and work construction that I decided to go with an add a leaf along with a fox 2.0 kit. I’m hoping it will dramatically reduce the squat when loaded and give a better overall handling.
I should see all my goodies in about a week. I’ll report back and let you know what I think.
(edit) the springs I went with from stage 3 motor sports claims a 1 1/2” height increase. I also ordered a 1 “ smaller block to accommodate for that increase. About 350$ out the door for those 2 items.

 

I just put in Raptor blocks with Bilstein 5100. Beautiful ride.

 

Another option that reduces squat and has zero effect on ride during unloaded conditions is to get Sumo Springs. They replace your bump stops and only apply suspension force when needed... and they're pretty cheap.

That's going to be very similar to if not the same as my setup. You should expect good results.