GM Drivetrain & Suspension Chassis | Transmission| Driveshaft | Gears/Rear End/Differential | Traction Aids

cheap suspension upgrade questions...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 21, 2007 | 07:11 PM
  #1  
Cherry364's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Marietta, Georgia
Default cheap suspension upgrade questions...

i want to improve my trucks handling and stance. first thing to go is the trucks' high rear end height. now, since it is a 2500HD, would i be able to swap out the current leaf springs for a set from a 1500 to lower it a few inches with no problems?
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2007 | 07:25 PM
  #2  
nightrunner's Avatar
Mr. Obvious
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,006
Likes: 2
From: Manchester, TN
Default

not sure on the HDs but i think you have a 2" lift block in the rear you can take out.

is your truck 2wd or 4x4?

how low do you want to go?

is ride quality(smoothness) more important or is handling more important?
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2007 | 07:44 PM
  #3  
Cherry364's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Marietta, Georgia
Default

Originally Posted by nightrunner
not sure on the HDs but i think you have a 2" lift block in the rear you can take out.

is your truck 2wd or 4x4?

how low do you want to go?

is ride quality(smoothness) more important or is handling more important?
it's a 2wd, long bed reg cab. if i do have a 2" block to remove, that would be the perfect lowering adjustment. i don't want to slam it, just get rid of that "stink bug" look it has.

the handling/smoothness depends. i would love it to take corners quicker and easier, but how much more rigid would the truck ride afterwards?

i'm also considering replacing the shocks with pro comp es9000's, if that would increase the smoothness, (not sure)
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2007 | 08:21 PM
  #4  
FastCrewCab4x4's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 425
Likes: 0
From: Blaine, TN
Default

You can take out the blocks (which requires new U bolts) Or, get some 2" drop shackles. The 2" drop helps some for cornering, A rear swaybar helps allot more, the two combined is great that and some better shocks will make it way more fun to drive...
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2007 | 08:25 PM
  #5  
nightrunner's Avatar
Mr. Obvious
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,006
Likes: 2
From: Manchester, TN
Default

someone who knows the differences between the HDs and the hlaftons will half to chime in but here is what works on 1500s

hotchkis swaybars
hotchkis sport tuned rear leaf springs - 4" drop
sport tuned shocks - edelbrocks are popular, and adjustables are even better
any lowering you do will make it handle better
a lower profile tire will handle better, less tire roll
a lighter weight wheel will be better too
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2007 | 08:57 PM
  #6  
Cherry364's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Marietta, Georgia
Default

Originally Posted by nightrunner
someone who knows the differences between the HDs and the hlaftons will half to chime in but here is what works on 1500s

hotchkis swaybars
hotchkis sport tuned rear leaf springs - 4" drop
sport tuned shocks - edelbrocks are popular, and adjustables are even better
any lowering you do will make it handle better
a lower profile tire will handle better, less tire roll
a lighter weight wheel will be better too
Originally Posted by FastCrewCab4x4
You can take out the blocks (which requires new U bolts) Or, get some 2" drop shackles. The 2" drop helps some for cornering, A rear swaybar helps allot more, the two combined is great that and some better shocks will make it way more fun to drive...
ok, so that's 2 people now saying i can remove these blocks, where are they located?

a rear sway bar is doable, i have seen them for really cheap prices on jcwhitney, ebay, etc., and i know the thicker, the better but does namebrand matter?

for wheels, i've been searching for the 2007 HD "5 spoke" 17x7.5 wheels, but haven't seen any for a decent price.
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2007 | 06:15 AM
  #7  
FastCrewCab4x4's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 425
Likes: 0
From: Blaine, TN
Default

I Got my rear swaybar off a 03 Avalanche, I had to make 2 brackets to mount to the frame and find some 3 1/4 Ubolts. even with the fab work it didn't take an hour to install. as said earlier, adjustable shocks are the way to go, the heavier your wheels the LESS heavyduty your shocks become. The Bilsteins are heavy duty But when you put on heavier wheels they become sloppy. If I was going to do it again I'd get some sort of adjustables. In the winter I run my stock wheels and the rest of the time I use the 20"s, big difference in how the shocks can handle them.
Reply
Old Oct 28, 2007 | 01:49 PM
  #8  
dhpro's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,566
Likes: 1
From: SW CT
Default

http://www.gmhightechperformance.com...uck/index.html
Check these mods out...gives cost breakdown on all parts. I did the Eibach sways. Prob one of the first and best mods I did. Then I put 305 tires on and it handles huge better. I'll be doing shocks and leveling for the spring. U will notice a HUGE diff with the sways. I also did powerslots and hawk pads at the same time. No point in better handling without addressing the single worst thing about Chev trucks - brakes.
Reply
Old Oct 30, 2007 | 11:41 PM
  #9  
bccorvette85's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Seymour, IN
Default

Those are not removeable blocks, they are perches. They are welded on. If you remove them you would have to buy new perches and weld them back on the axle. The easiest way to lower the rear is to buy shackles. We did this to a buddy's 2500, doesn't take to long, pretty easy job.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
blownss27
GM Drivetrain & Suspension
19
Aug 14, 2020 08:27 AM
Cowboy Tom
GM Engine & Exhaust Performance
6
Sep 5, 2015 04:29 PM
USMCvet0311
GM Parts Classifieds
5
Sep 4, 2015 09:43 PM
Stainless Works
GM Engine & Exhaust Performance
0
Sep 3, 2015 08:31 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:13 PM.