Posted: Jan 10 2007 at 1:09pm | IP Logged

Has anyone here used the Superspring Overload springs?  I will be going to TX in about two months and will be putting my Yamaha Big Bear 400 in the back of my truck.  The bad thing is, with it in there as it is, it squats the truck badly. 

Joel

Posted: Jan 16 2007 at 12:41am | IP Logged

I have an earlier 2001 2wd Frontier with a lot of stuff in my truck.  I had used Helwig overload springs before but on this truck I tiried Firestone Ride-Rite Air bags.  I carry a minimum of 1000 lbs in my truck bed all the time.  The air bags seem to work well.  I have not seen the brackets for the newer Fronty but here is what I found on this one.  The clearance between airbag and tire is close enough that I will not be able to use chains.  The instruction sheet was written by a dyslexic moron.  Use your common sense and the install was pretty easy.  No metal drilling or special tools (had to drill plastic bumper though).  To protect the air lines, I route them through 5/16 gasoline line.  You will need to buy some extra nylon ties.   The gas line keeps the hard plastic lines from rubbing on steel, gives them some protection from flying gravel or ice chunks, I do not use a compressor, just route them so they exit at the license plate holes in the bumper.  I did need to drill the plastic bumper holes a little bigger to put the schraeder valves through the bumper.  With a 1200-1500 lbs load, I keep the bags at 40-50 PSI.   I have heard that if you do off road the truck, use Higher grade bolts to mount the brackets and air bag.  I have had no problems but one of the guys I work with drives off road and had to go to high grade bolts. 

Advantages of air bags;  you can adjust the air to fit the load.  The empty bed still requires 10 lbs to keep the bags from damage when empty.   You do not get the hard as a rock rear spring a steel overload will give you.  This increases brake distances, gives a rough ride and I found it very difficult to drive in wet or snow when I tried the steel over loads alone in an empty truck.

My current truck  is my 4th Nissan  in 14 years.  I have put as much as 1800 lbs in the air bag equiped truck.   I did put more weight in truck # 2 but it had the Helwigs and Timbrens, That one was a 94 2wd D 21 or hardbody.  the third truck was a 97 with just the helwigs,  I had all the rough ride, lack of traction empty, increased brake distance problems when the truck was empty. 

One final note, I use Bilstein shocks, They have lasted as much as 240,000 miles.  They really do a great job with heavy loads and last forever.  I wore out some other brands in as little as 5,000 miles and they made me sea sick. 

Posted: Jan 16 2007 at 6:44am | IP Logged

Well, my Super Spring overload springs are supposed to come in today.  I searched Hellwig and they didn't have them yet, they are in research still.  I'll post up when I have them on and let you know the ease of install or lack of ease of install.

Joel

Posted: Jan 16 2007 at 10:28am | IP Logged

Well, they came first thing this morning, I put them on in about an hour...taking my time and making sure I didn't miss anything.  Did you notice your truck lifted a little bit in the back?  It seems about an inch higher and rides a little harsher.  Part of that, I believe though is due to a blown shock.  While I was under it, I saw oily crap all over the driver rear shock, I am assuming that is what it was.  Overall, they seem ok, I just need to find a front leveling kit now.

Joel

Posted: Jan 24 2007 at 4:30am | IP Logged

Funny you asked, I took them off.  I actually got i touch with the co-owner - atleast he said he was and it took me forever.  I kept bottoming out with them things.  I took my digital camera and took some pics of everything, called and waited and waited and waited to get in touch with him and sent him some pics.  Anyway, depending on what year yours is, you may have two "bumptstops."  I have two, you have to trim one and leave the other untouched.   I kept bottoming out on the one that is on the bottom of the frame rail.  After almost an hour, he said he will send me some SSA7 in the mail for free to try for a week and then call him back and let him know if they are better or worse.  Originally I had the A2's and he said that they may be just too small/weak for my truck.  I only load a 4-wheeler in the back of it.  As soon as this happens, I will post up....so stand by.

Joel

Posted: Jan 24 2007 at 10:45am | IP Logged

The only thing I use mine for is taking my 4-wheeler on trips and towing my Bronco.  I wouldn't even put "helper anythings" in if my 4-wheeler wouldn't bottom me out. 

Joel