4x4 Suspension advice

[swissarmychainsaw]

Not sure if this is better in the 4x4 section or suspension!

I have a 73 Suburban with a aluminum 6.0/th350/203/2:73 on 33s; currently 4" lift on procomp or similar lift kit (from PO) soft ride springs. Large lift blocks in rear.

I'm looking to get a good ride out of this thing.
The lift makes the truck silly to get into, plus the ride is just harsh. Taking it on mild off-road makes you slow way down. The clearance seems nice, but my other suburban with stock springs and old shocks rides at least as nice and is just as capable off-road.

What is the trick to getting a good ride out of a 4x4?
I'm looking to do mild off-road while family camping and maybe once in a while stretch it out and see what it can do.
Right now I think I want soft springs, great adjustable shocks and extra travel (based on my dirt bike experience)

Better springs and shocks? Bilsteins seem highly rated and not all that expensive. Are Fox adjustables worth it?

ORD seems like a good place to start, but thought I would check the wisdom of this forum first!

thanks!

[Threerun]

Originally Posted by swissarmychainsaw

Not sure if this is better in the 4x4 section or suspension!

I have a 73 Suburban with a aluminum 6.0/th350/203/2:73 on 33s; currently 4" lift on procomp or similar lift kit (from PO) soft ride springs. Large lift blocks in rear.

I'm looking to get a good ride out of this thing.
The lift makes the truck silly to get into, plus the ride is just harsh. Taking it on mild off-road makes you slow way down. The clearance seems nice, but my other suburban with stock springs and old shocks rides at least as nice and is just as capable off-road.

What is the trick to getting a good ride out of a 4x4?
I'm looking to do mild off-road while family camping and maybe once in a while stretch it out and see what it can do.
Right now I think I want soft springs, great adjustable shocks and extra travel (based on my dirt bike experience)

Better springs and shocks? Bilsteins seem highly rated and not all that expensive. Are Fox adjustables worth it?

ORD seems like a good place to start, but thought I would check the wisdom of this forum first!

thanks!

I'm not sure I can be called wise yet, but I can tell you what I'm thinking about my newly acquired 1972 Cheyenne 3/4 ton 4x4.

Like you I'm not too interested in massive lifts. I mainly travel US Forest and BLM roads, and my bird dogs need to load up at the end of long days- so no super high lifts for me. I plan on doing a 2.5" lift which will accommodate a 33" tire fine, and I really like Bilstein shocks. I have had them on my old Tacoma and currently on my 16 Silverado. They are firm but not harsh in any way. Definitely not soft..

I'm looking at Skyjacker, but I'm also going to contact Deaver springs and local spring shop too. Might be able to get them cheaper that in the 'kit' form. I also need to call Bilstein to make sure I order the right length shocks for what I want to do.

In your case if you know who made the springs- you may simply be able to call them and find out if removing a spring or two is possible. I know that Old Man Emu runs their spring packs that allow you to add or subtract springs depending on height/load requirements. Usually you can add / subtract 1.5-2" of lift that way.

Hope that helps!

Oh and this guy I see did the Skyjacker 2.5" on his ride- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=620627

[swissarmychainsaw]

I would suggest you call Stephen at Off Road Design.
Seems they sell "Tuff Country" springs, and they have their own made.

I think at this point I'm going to put some Bilsteins on mine and drive it for a year. Maybe put a winch on the front to "pre-load" the springs a little!

[andrewmp6]

Off road design are the pros to off roading a solid axle gm 4x4.To me i would do the shackle flip in the rear it will give you a 4.5 inch lift and ride smoother,If thats not good enough there is the b52 front spring swap that uses longer rear springs for the front ones.Some people say they are to soft for interstate speeds so keep that in mind if it matters to you.

[69gmcc10]

I would suggest looking into what Andrew said, shackle flip with B52 spring swap. There are kits out there to do the swap easily. I would also go with good shocks like bilstien, I personally feel the adjustable fox is a little overkill

['63GENIII]

B52's in front and 63's out back with a shackle flip.

My fronts are 52" out of the rear of a 1973 half ton K series. They are just a tad soft IMO. Sway bar is mandatory.

The rears are 63" out of an '07 Silverado and although super smooth, could probably use one more leaf. It gets onto the overloads fairly easily when loaded with 3/4 ton of rock.

In your case, Id look for rear springs from say a 96 or 97 Burb. as they would likely be better set up for your normal weight (not pick up truck weight).

DIY, ORU and ORD all make what you're looking for although I have found that DIY builds their stuff as if it were going under a tank or big rig. Super stout and great hardware.

I also think that both Bilstiens, FOX and the like have been designing their product for the newer, more compliant suspensions found on modern vehicles.

When I had the stock springs in the '63, it rode real stiff. I got a set of Rancho 9000 adjustables. Didn't make a whole lot of difference. I do like the 9000's for the new longer springs though. You can really feel a difference when the adjustment is changed.

Whichever way you go, take your time, take lots of measurements and lots of pictures!

['63GENIII]

Here's the link to my install. Not the most detailed but enough to understand whats entailed. One of my top 3 upgrades so far.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ng+swap+thread