How good are Dayton Springs?

[Dereck]

Hi Guys

As the title asks, how good are Dayton springs?

Having kind of struck out on finding a reasonably priced set of springs for my Excursion I am almost resigned to stumping up the $2300 Rockauto/Fedex/The IRS want to send a set across the pond and was wondering if Dayton was a good brand.

I checked out their website and they seem like a trustworthy "Made in the USA" brand but was hoping for some independent input from fellow members here.

Rockauto are only listing two (rears I think) in stock so thinking if I dither too long the decision may be made for me

Regards

Dereck

[RetroDan]

Looks like a relatively new company that started production in Jan 2020.

https://www.truckpartsandservice.com...g-line-at-hdaw

[Dereck]

Hi Retrodan

According to Dayton Parts history page they started in 1922 in Harrisburg, PA

Regards

Dereck

[LeDe03]

I saw this thread yesterday and was really hoping someone had some solid info on Dayton springs. And no, not for the reason of wanting to buy them myself (thankfully I don't need any springs at the moment), but for the fact that Dereck helps everyone here with tech info so often that it would have been nice to see his question answered.

[Dereck]

Hi LeDe03

Originally Posted by LeDe03

I saw this thread yesterday and was really hoping someone had some solid info on Dayton springs

It seems nobody loves me

Well actually one member loves me and emailed an offer to help with finding and shipping some springs which was much appreciated but as I explained in my reply shipping something as heavy as a road spring independently would be prohibitively expensive as it seems the big players, Rockauto, Summit, Ebay, ETC must have shipping deals and get better prices.

Regards

Dereck

[W.V. Kelly]

Originally Posted by Dereck

...I am almost resigned to stumping up the $2300 Rockauto/Fedex/The IRS want to send a set across the pond...

That's a lot of money.
Maybe it's time to think outside the box. Not trying to be silly but aren't there still some good blacksmiths in the UK? There must be other ways to replicate the appropriate springs. We do similar things for unobtainable airplane parts.
W. V. Kelly

[gadget73]

The only Dayton I know is Grainger's house brand.

[Michael VII LSC/SE]

And I remember Dayton Tire and Rubber. The Logo even looks similar. But so many Companies have been bought and sold some just for the name.

W.V.'s recommendation looks good to me. My next question is what's the difference between the Excursion and F series trucks as far as parts?

[Dereck]

Hi Michael VII LSC/SE

Originally Posted by Michael VII LSC/SE

My next question is what's the difference between the Excursion and F series trucks as far as parts?

The Excursion and F-series trucks are mostly the same but there are some subtle differences, springs being one of them. Whilst F-series truck springs will fit they have a higher rating for carry heavy loads and towing, Excursion springs are softer to give a more "car like" ride.

Regards

Dereck

[Liquidlounge]

since this is an Ex, I assume you would be talking about the fronts, so 2WD or 4WD? (coils / leafs). I am doing a light spring / airbag set up on mine now (fronts), trying to introduce a little more travel into the setup. hard to do without lifting the front a bit. If you have leafs, I would just replace with V codes and use a shorter bump stop - this is assuming you have the diesel. The Ex's were the original Sumoto/Timberen set-ups haha! As far as your original question, I think most of the springs claiming US made probably come from the same place, much like the current crop of MOOG and TRW springs for our TC's that are surprisingly made in the US and in my experience are pretty darn good so far. I would try the Daytons - what is the claimed spring rate?

[Dereck]

Hi Liquid lounge

Thank you for the reply

Originally Posted by Liquidlounge

since this is an Ex, I assume you would be talking about the fronts, so 2WD or 4WD? (coils / leafs) .... If you have leafs, I would just replace with V codes and use a shorter bump stop - this is assuming you have the diesel.

I have a 4WD gas V10 that has leaf springs all round and could do with replacing all four, the front ones are bent back on themselves so I guess they have sagged quite a bit and the rear ones are pretty corroded.

V code springs seem to be listed as unavailable and you now need to use X code springs instead.

Let me see if I can elaborate a little

OEM Excursion spring ratings

• Front springs are rated at 1980lbs
• Rear springs are rated at 2275lbs

F250 spring ratings

• Front spring ratings = 2030lbs, 2430lbs, 2630lbs, 3250lbs or 3950lbs
• Rear spring ratings = 3000lbs, , 3600lbs, 3900lbs or 4400lbs

I am sure there are probably some other ratings, all these springs come in various leaf numbers, pack thicknesses and free arch dimensions

First problem I do not want to sacrifice the car like ride of my Excursion by fitting springs with a high rating, considering my Excursion rarely does any towing or has a load greater than me, Jane and a bucket of KFC, I do not need or want any springs rated much above the OEM ratings.

The V or X code F250 front springs are rated at 2630lbs which as you can see is higher than the Excursion rear springs, I figured on getting some U code F250 front springs rated at 2030lbs, this would give me a slight upgrade over the OEM springs and as the spring arch is slightly greater maybe minor increase in ride height.

For the rear springs my only choice really is to go with an OEM spring rating as I definitely do not want 3000lb springs. One other fly in the ointment my rear springs are 7 leaves (6 plus a half leaf) and 3 3/16" thick, all the F250 rear springs are a maximum of 2 1/4" thick and I don't not want to have to get into sorting out the correct U-bolts/spacers/ ETC for thinner springs.

As Rockauto only list suitable front springs for my Excursion I have been trying to work out the cheapest option for shipping/taxes/ETC and it looks like I will be getting the front ones from Rockauto and the rear ones from Michigan Truck Spring.

Regards

Dereck

[Liquidlounge]

this is what I just received last week.
https://kelderman.com/shop/catalog/p...it/category/2/
If by slight chance you are interested, I will be glad to snap some pics of anything you want. The Kelderman kit also comes in stock height. My thought is to go with either the lightest front spring available (ex 1980#) or remove the secondary leaf to run in conjunction with the air springs. Somewhat of an expensive experiment, but lightening the leaf spring rate and making up the difference in air is intriguing to me for a number of reasons that I won't get into here. I will say that when I ran the idea by a suspension enthusiast on one of the truck forums, he called it a silly idea. we will see. I am also doing 2016 rear leaf springs that are appx 8" longer. There, I am doing similar; removing the overload leaves and going to a larger diameter, lower pressure air spring. I know this works great as others have done the rear set up. I love the truck and have owned it since new (2001) and the ride is the only thing that really seams behind the times to me.

[SignatureSeriesOwner]

Have you seen if Lesjofors has anything for your application? I’ve used them several times and have been nothing but happy with them. They’re based out of Sweden I believe, so I’d imagine shipping would be much less dear if they offered them.