Leveling truck

[ZGjethro]

My truck, like many, seems to have more fender clearance in the rear than in the front. Was this rake for carrying heavy loads? It has a kind of slanted stance, with the rear of the truck being higher. This has not been an issue, but now I am going to be adding a LU-4 to the front, and I expect it to sag a bit more. Did Dodge equip winch mounted trucks with different springs? What is a simple solution to level the truck? Add a leaf, or a spacer? Any advice or recommendations are welcome

[ashyers]

I'm curious if there's an unladen ride height listing anywhere. My truck has pretty serious rake when unloaded too and I was curious to know if that's normal or if it has suffered from some spring sag up front.

Andy

[w30bob]

Hi Guys,

The M37 does ride high in the rear. It had a payload capacity of 2000 lbs........I'm sure when you put a ton of ammo in the bed it'll level out nicely. The springs, both front and rear, are the same for winch or non winch trucks. M37s and M42s used the same springs, as did the M43 and the V41. Adding leaves will make it ride harsher.......adding blocks won't. The B1 used small spacers under the drivers side front and rear springs to deal with the weight of the spare tire hanging from the door. Adding a winch shouldn't make the front sag much.....many parts of the winch are made of aluminum, so it's not as heavy as you may think.

Personally I like the rake the truck has, but to each his own. You can have the rear springs re-arched....or probably replaced for the same money. Just remember that by doing so you're reducing the trucks payload capacity and towing capacity (tongue weight on the pintle will have to go down accordingly).

regards,
bob

[ZGjethro]

I've dead lifted the winch, so I know it is on the portly side. And it has less than a full spool of cable on it. I am thinking more about adding a small spacer on the front if the vehicle rake is too much after it's installation. I like a bit of rake, but not too much. And my truck never carries more that one snow mobile or two dirt bikes nowadays. The couches and tables it carries weigh even less.

[Cal_Gary]

FYI, I have new springs, and added the winch to mine and it didn't drop my front end height at all.
Gary

[ashyers]

Gary,
Would you mind measuring the distance from the axle CL to the fender lip? It would give me an idea of where a truck on new springs sits. I'm more concerned about front driveline angles than rake and just need an idea of where these things sit.

Andy

[Cal_Gary]

Yep, I can do that later today and let you know.
Gary

[ashyers]

Thanks!!

[Cal_Gary]

I misread your request so this is a bit late (Just took this picture from the garage)-axle center line to the front fender lip is approximately 27.5 inches.
Sorry for the delay,
Gary

[ashyers]

Gary,
Thanks, I'll have to measure the truck prior to blasting out for breakfast . I'll post up the results for a '51 with what seems to be original springs.

Looking forward to Tower Park next week!!! Road manners are greatly improved with a new idler arm and should have the springs pins/bushings sorted soon.

Andy

[ZGjethro]

I haven't painted my winch and bumper yet, but I mocked it up on the truck last night. 27.5" from wheel center to fender. It doesn't change if I step on the bumper, which is an additional 230lbs, so I guess I don't have to worry about excessive vehicle rake. I must spend too much time on my Toyota 4runner websites. On those sites, winches and bumpers often lead to an un-level stance and require suspension spacers. The Dodge is a different animal compared to the Toyotas

[ashyers]

Looks like my truck is pretty close to Gary's. In my somewhat lumpy drive I average around 27.5". Guess the old springs are doing OK.