Bob 5 ton with 2.5 hardware?

[drjconley]

I have a 5 ton flatbed I want to bob. I was wondering if it was possible to bob it with 2.5 ton parts. I was thinking if they fit, it would provide a slightly softer ride. I dont need to be able to haul heavy loads, so I wouldn't mind a loss in carrying capacity.


Thanks for any help,

Jim

 

[rchalmers3]

If you have 4 deuce front spring packs, I say why not? Make it whatever you want.

Rick

 

[eldgenb]

I put 2.5 ton rear springs on all of my bobbed 5 ton's and trailer springs on the deuces. The ride is much better that way.

 

[jollyroger]

Please explain the 2.5 rear springs on the bobbed 5 ton. I thought the dual axle spring pack on the rear of a 2.5 is a slipper spring at the axle and therefore provides no attachment points........I am obviously missing something.

 

[KsM715]

I bet he meant putting the front leaf springs off of the deuce under the rear of the 5ton bobber.

 

[jollyroger]

My fault.

 

[bbf]

that what i did the 2.5 springs ride so much better the the 5 ton on the back of the truck

 

[wdbtchr]

When I was thinking about bobbing the M54a2 I was thinking of using the 2.5 ton springs in front and the front 5 ton springs in the rear. Then I decided not to bob it.

 

[drjconley]

I was thinking of useing 2.5 springs on the rear. I never thought of changing the fronts.

Jim

 

[eldgenb]

if you change the fronts to 2.5 ton they will go flat under the additional engine weight. not a good idea.

 

[whyme]

what about ride height? do you use blocks between the springs and axles to maintain a level ride or are they the same?

 

[wdbtchr]

if you change the fronts to 2.5 ton they will go flat under the additional engine weight. not a good idea.

I don't see why engine weight is an issue, an LDS 465 is the same engine weither it's an a, c,or d turbo. If anything I think the loading on a 5 ton chassis would be less on the front springs simply because the engine sits more to the rear than on a 2.5 with respect to the axle. That's why you have to turn the oil pan around to put the 5 ton engine in a 2.5. If you had a winch it would make a difference because of the difference in the winch not the engine.

 

[eldgenb]

I don't see why engine weight is an issue, an LDS 465 is the same engine weither it's an a, c,or d turbo. If anything I think the loading on a 5 ton chassis would be less on the front springs simply because the engine sits more to the rear than on a 2.5 with respect to the axle. That's why you have to turn the oil pan around to put the 5 ton engine in a 2.5. If you had a winch it would make a difference because of the difference in the winch not the engine.

You are assuming he has an LDS engine in it. However, even if that was the case the trucks equipped with the LDS up front had a much lighter spring rate then the trucks that came with the NHC 250. That is why when you go from a gasser which is close to the same weight as an LDS you have to also source springs from the donor truck you pulled the cummins from. Odds are he is going to put 14's or 16's on it anyway so the ride up front will be plenty plush under the appropriate weight of the truck but the unloaded rear is the one that will be harsh without a lighter weight spring.

 

[drjconley]

It does not have a LDS. It has the cummins in it. I think from all the great information I received that I will be going with the lighter springs on the rear only.

Jim

 

[drjconley]

Does anyone know the weight difference between the cummins and the ldt. My truck doesnt have the winch so would the weight of a cummins be about equal to the ldt and a front winch?

Thanks

Jim

 

[wdbtchr]

You are assuming he has an LDS engine in it. However, even if that was the case the trucks equipped with the LDS up front had a much lighter spring rate then the trucks that came with the NHC 250. That is why when you go from a gasser which is close to the same weight as an LDS you have to also source springs from the donor truck you pulled the cummins from. Odds are he is going to put 14's or 16's on it anyway so the ride up front will be plenty plush under the appropriate weight of the truck but the unloaded rear is the one that will be harsh without a lighter weight spring.

If you read my post again you will see I was referring to an M54 A2 which has the LDS 465 1A. The combination of 2.5 ton springs in the front for a less jarring ride and 5 ton front springs in the back would have given the ability of still carring something besides air in the bed. I decided to not change the tandom out so I could still carry logs.

 

[Unforgiven]

What exactly is the weight difference between the 5 ton and 2.5 ton axles?

I've read hundreds of posts where people say the 5 tons are much, much bigger and heavier.

But I've yet to see exact numbers. Anyone have any idea exactly how much heavier the 5 ton axles are?