Suspension options help please

[[JP]]

Hello everyone…
Need some help here if you were so kind to share your knowledge and experience on this.

After much work since my truck got to the UK I have been happily enjoying driving it…. But….. suspension!
Its really bothering me and would like to know what would you experienced people would do.

Facts:
I love the stance.
The height, front and back is spot on, just as I want.
Would like to keep it just as is.




What have they done:
Cut the front springs too much – it’s so cut that they have chopped the rubber stop bracket and put a chain link to stop the spring from popping out.
Rear – seems ok, looks like drop springs in the back.



Problem:
When going over potholes on the road, like small holes where your tyre just fits (not sure if in the US you use the term potholes), the sound of metal banging together is making my heart bleed. (I need to put my gopro underneath and drive around to check what exactly is happening)
When going over slight depressions and bumps, say like a roller coaster, it feels like it bottoms out on the shocks. I don’t get the harsh metal bang but get the bottoming out sound.

What I would like:
To keep the ride height I have now but stop the harsh banging of metal.
Dont need to have air ride to drop it all the way to the floor but thought air ride could be a way of stopping the banging and at the same time keep the truck at the height I like?

What are my option here? What do you guys think is happening?
If I was to get new shocks, maybe heavy-duty shocks would it stop it from going down to harsh?

I don’t want to go down the drop spindles route as then I have to add disc brakes etc etc….

Or should I go down the air ride route? If so.. what exactly do I need?
I have seen the kits, seems pretty easy but if adding air ride, then what about track control arm, like the rear one? Doesn’t it need to change as the ride height goes up and down? Do I need one of those 4 link arms?

Thanks!

[duallyjams]

I would upgrade to drop spindles ( disc brakes ) porter built upper and lower control arms ( will center the front wheel ) and a drop coil spring, it will ride better, steer better and stop better, it would be a win win win

[chevy_mike]

It's all about wheel travel. With that setup you have very minimal travel (look at the lower are to the spring pocket lip). Might be fine on a perfectly smooth road but you will never prevent it from bottoming out. Normally that space is 4-5" apart and you're close to less than 2". Airbag or stiffer shocks are not going to solve this problem. Dropped spindles and taller springs (to get a net height the same) will allow more wheel travel and help prevent bottoming out.

I had a similar issue on my '65 C10 when the person before me used 3" dropped springs. It would bottom out all the time. I replaced with 2" dropped spindles and 1' dropped springs (same 3" total drop) and it rode SO much better. It almost never bottomed out.

[[JP]]

Thing is for you guys is all cheap (or cheaper than here), I was trying to avoid going the drop spindles route because then it means getting disc brakes, calipers, master cylinder, then I guess the hubs would be 5 stud? get rims for it... etc,etc... its a whole load of things, its a never ending story of parts right?

Say if I was to install air ride... I could lift it on the roads I know are not very good and then drop it down for town driving?

How about that? would that work?

[tinydb84]

Originally Posted by [JP]

Thing is for you guys is all cheap (or cheaper than here), I was trying to avoid going the drop spindles route because then it means getting disc brakes, calipers, master cylinder, then I guess the hubs would be 5 stud? get rims for it... etc,etc... its a whole load of things, its a never ending story of parts right?

Say if I was to install air ride... I could lift it on the roads I know are not very good and then drop it down for town driving?

How about that? would that work?

They make conversion kits to keep the same rims. The brake upgrade is well worth it in my opinion.

You can definitely install air ride. Just air up when driving and air out when parking. For the cost of the bags, line, valves, compressors, tank, wiring, etc will likely cost just as much as the spindles and brakes.

[[JP]]

Hmm ok Yes I see what you getting at.
Cost wise being the same then I'd have the added bonus of better brakes....

Is there a company that would do the whole thing?anything people usually go for?
Or just LMC catalogue and get all the separate parts off there?

[tinydb84]

The nice thing about going with the new brakes and drop spindles is that you are going to want them when/if you bag it later.

Here is a full kit that includes everything: http://www.azproperformance.com/Pro1...60-72-C10.html

[[JP]]

Thanks!!!that looks the nuts!and cheaper than the air ride kit...
Sounds like a good option. Could go with the 2.5" drop spindle and a 2"drop coil I guess?

Also like the fact it can be selected as 6 lug pattern.

Ohhh what about overall size?would the disc and caliper fit inside my 15" rim?

[tinydb84]

The stock disc size isn't usually an issue. The issue usually comes up with a 3 inch drop spindle. I know there are a number of threads discussing the rim size and drop spindles.

[[JP]]

Hi, just another question, would these be any good?

https://www.summitracing.com/int/par...del/c10-pickup

Because I think it's easier for me to get stuff from Summit Racing than that company you posted (someone here in the UK who deals with summit)

thanks!

[68racer]

Hi, I have some after market shocks, drop spindles and a disc/drum master cylinder. PM for details. Also its cheaper to ship direct from Summit. Neil.

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by [JP]

Hi, just another question, would these be any good?

https://www.summitracing.com/int/par...del/c10-pickup

Because I think it's easier for me to get stuff from Summit Racing than that company you posted (someone here in the UK who deals with summit)

thanks!

You can send us an email and we can help make some recommendations.... We understand if it's easier to purchase through Summit, but we don't mind helping you acquire a parts list.

sales@pbfab.com

Nate

[[JP]]

Originally Posted by PBFAB.COM

You can send us an email and we can help make some recommendations.... We understand if it's easier to purchase through Summit, but we don't mind helping you acquire a parts list.

sales@pbfab.com

Nate

Hi Nate,

sorry for late reply, only seen this now!
I will send an email see what you can get..

not the best time of year now for me to be buying, since England voted out the EU, the exchange rate turned to crap... but I still want to sort this ride out!

thanks