I figured id start a thread on the front suspension setup I am going to be making for my GMT900.

Step 1 is 4130 chromoly upper and lower control arms. Lower arms will most likely have a poly bushing with the uppers having heim ends for adjust ability. The goal here is weight reduction, the ability to adjust caster and camber better, and freeing up the suspension movement considerably.

Step 2 Adjustable coilover setup for direct bolt in on these arms, this includes a mount to fit into the stock upper strut mount. The goal here is weight reduction and ability to adjust suspension

Step 3 4130 chromoly fabricated spindle with aluminum steering arm and aluminum brake mount which would allow the use of off the shelf aftermarket drag brake setup. The goal here is major weight reduction from stock brakes without modification of a stock or drop aftermarket spindle.

I will update this thread as things are being made. The material is on order and the truck is taken apart for fixturing of the components.


Here is a breakdown of weights for those who want to know.
Hub 14#
Rotor 25#
Upper arm 6.5#
Lower arm 24#
Spindle 22#
Strut/Spring 22#

i couldnt weigh the caliper with my scale without taking it off which i didnt want to do right this minute.

And a picture for viewing pleasure

 

In for the update!!!

 

I want to do this too.

 

Subd for this one. Cant afford it but be nice to see what you do lol.

 

whats u thinkn u gna drop on weight im very interested

 

Fantastic man. I'm guessing my front suspension/brake mods are gonna net me around 150 lbs weight loss.

I'm still waiting till I get a little further along to post pics.

 

I think blown06 has it figured pretty well. I would think 120-130# would be pretty easy. if you went from a stock truck (stock wheels and front sway bar) id think you could take 200# off the front.

did you mod the lower arms that you have? let me know if you still want to do some chromoly ones after you see what i do.

 

Very interested in your results, especially the new spindle design. I suppose the lighter control arms would also allow the use of a stock or aftermarket lowering spindle for those that don't want to do a drag brake setup?

 

On my 2000 with the smaller style stock brake caliper and rotor I lost 70# with gbody spindles and stock type gbody rotor..

 

No mods on the lower arms. Those ridetech arms are heavy as ****, but I'm gonna leave them as is for now.

I haven't forget about you. I'll get around to sending you the stock stuff at some point.