Tough Country springs, HD vs ez-ride

[rufusbooth]

Well, with the ORD holiday sale upon us it is time to lift the bone stock truck. Apparently my search-fu is weak today and I am not finding the answer to my question.

I have heard some vicious internet talk at one time that the difference between the tough Country HD and rz-ride springs is simply an additional leaf in the pack (3 inch lift, front springs).

The reason I am asking is that right now the truck is totally stock (73 k5) and I will not be running an aftermarket bumper or winch right off the bat. I will eventually be running at least a 12,000 pound rated winch with a home built heavy duty bumper but that is realistically 2 years off.

That being the case if the HD springs are the same with an additional spring I was considering buying the TC HD springs and removing the extra leaf for the 2 years and then add the leaf back in when adding the additional weight on the front end. That way I am not wasting $ on springs that I will just be replacing in 2 years.

Can anyone confirm the talk I have heard regarding the difference between the 2 different packs? does this sound like a reasonable course of action?

Thanks in advance for everyone's input.

Cheers,

Rufus

 

[jms]

Correct, extra bottom leaf on HDs.

 

[chevysmithz71]

With as many spring packs that I have pieced together and taken apart, I really don't think by taking out a bottom leaf would make a big difference.

 

[andyblack]

I debated the same thing a couple of years ago when I lifted my truck. I went with the EZ Rides because I wasn't planning on running anything up front either. They ride great. Then I put 200 lbs. worth of bumper and winch on there and they sag a good bit (about 1.5") but they still ride good. My point is, I don't know how much better the EZ Rides ride than the HDs, but you may want to look into the future and consider if you may eventually want the stiffer springs or not.

 

[jms]

Started with 3"EZ, nice soft ride, good flex, kept adding weight (ORD bumper/Ramsey winch). The springs assumed a slight "W" shape after 4 (or so) years and many trails where I had pushed them to a negative arch a few too many times, and I replaced them with 3" HDs. Ride is a little firmer, still quite comfy. I've relocated the bumpstops now to limit uptravel...

 

[chulisohombre]

i have rc hd springs with a good size bumper.rides real nice.and doesnt roll too bad in cornering,but still has decent flex.i wouldnt want them to be any softer.im sure they are pretty comparable to the tc hd springs.ive heard more than a few people say the tc ez rides dont last more than a few years after adding a hd bumper and winch.