suspension questions. what would you do?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

79gmcc15 · 05-24-2009, 09:07 PM

I am just gathering/learning info here. with our trucks, and without lowering the truck much, IE no slamming it, I am talking an inch maybe 2 at most here but prefer to not. what would it take for the truck to handle the best? I am talking, your ideal suspension with the guidelines I have layed down. and if some how, you come up with putting a Corvette front end in it. then come up with a senerio that is the most radical and with stock components. I would do a search but I don't know enough about it to know what to search for. but I am mostly wondering What Would You Do???

Wild83C10 · 05-24-2009, 09:31 PM

If you want it to handle better but don't want to lower it much then change the bushings (poly), better tires, shocks and springs.
Don't expect a corner carver, but it would be better.

3r!c84 · 05-24-2009, 09:33 PM

start with selling your truck and buying a corvette lol=]

i say lowering it a few inch would help some
but a bigger sway bar
find a way to put a back sway bar
wider tires?

79gmcc15 · 05-24-2009, 10:48 PM

is there a way to change the lack of feeling you get from the steering wheel? like maybe a less powerful P/S pump? lol I feel like when ya drive the truck you can steer it with one finger. LOL So poly is probably the way to go huh? What kind of springs and shocks would you go with? I got the sway bar parts. but like I said. I am just learning, so don't spare the details.

heavychevy79 · 05-25-2009, 02:02 AM

You might be able to change pulleys and underdrive the ps pump.
18 to 20 inch whrels will give a bunch of road feel.

Wild83C10 · 05-25-2009, 07:43 AM

Yes poly bushings are the way to go. You want a stiffer spring and a softer shock. A lowering spring is usually stiffer (higher spring rate).
There is an allen head screw on top of the box that can be used to adjust the steering feel.

JFP Motorsports Div · 05-25-2009, 11:12 AM

What you want to do is consider drop spindles and shackles - most of the drops spindle kits are designed to lower your truck without affecting your stock suspension; also consider polyurethane bushings as other users have mentioned (just be sure to use some sort of silicon lubricant or they will squeek like a mother..). There is a lot you can do to get your truck to handle well, another option along with the bushing upgrade is, upgrade to a bigger swaybar, maybe the 1.25" off bigger truck; as for the steering problem, you might just need a simple tune up in the suspension dept. consider tie rod ends, idler arm, etc etc... a poor and loose steering system will not respond efficiently.

hope this helps

Tony_SS · 05-25-2009, 11:48 AM

Try a smaller steering wheel too... like a 13" grant or something. It'll feel less like you are driving a boat or bus.

3r!c84 · 05-25-2009, 12:39 PM

take off the belt to the PS pump and drive it?
then you will feel the road

D13 · 05-26-2009, 05:58 AM

Whatever you try don't go manual steering. Believe me.

Perhaps a quick ratio box. But the sway bars, springs, and 2" lowering makes a big difference.

79gmcc15 · 05-26-2009, 06:05 AM

cool thanks! just added some of this stuff to my ever growing list! lol and yeah, that's a neg on the manual lol I like power steering lol

74 C-30 · 05-26-2009, 04:26 PM

go with coilovers!

05-24-2009, 09:07 PM	#1
79gmcc15 Gettin It One Pice At A Time Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: everett, washington Posts: 2,688	suspension questions. what would you do?? I am just gathering/learning info here. with our trucks, and without lowering the truck much, IE no slamming it, I am talking an inch maybe 2 at most here but prefer to not. what would it take for the truck to handle the best? I am talking, your ideal suspension with the guidelines I have layed down. and if some how, you come up with putting a Corvette front end in it. then come up with a senerio that is the most radical and with stock components. I would do a search but I don't know enough about it to know what to search for. but I am mostly wondering What Would You Do??? __________________ RIP ELJAY Work In Progress 1979 GMC C1500 Trailering Special. Getting the truck done, one piece at a time. “You can tell a lot about a fellow’s character by his way of eating jellybeans.”Ronald Reagan “I don’t know the key to success but I know the key to failure is trying to please everybody.” Bill Cosby

05-24-2009, 09:31 PM	#2
Wild83C10 Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 910	Re: suspentions questions. what would you do?? If you want it to handle better but don't want to lower it much then change the bushings (poly), better tires, shocks and springs. Don't expect a corner carver, but it would be better. __________________ 83 C10 Stepside (SOLD, it was a blast!) 383 MASS-FLO EFI/TKO II 600/3.90 Posi 10 bolt S475 and C4 DM running, fine tuning turbo= Douchebag Racing: Runs Fine all the Time

05-24-2009, 09:33 PM	#3
3r!c84 Badass Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: lox. fl Posts: 4,586	Re: suspentions questions. what would you do?? start with selling your truck and buying a corvette lol=] i say lowering it a few inch would help some but a bigger sway bar find a way to put a back sway bar wider tires? __________________ Think outside the box? -84c10 (1stcar)→My Build← -00 Saturn 5spd drop a gear and disappear! 1/4:13:90

05-24-2009, 10:48 PM	#4
79gmcc15 Gettin It One Pice At A Time Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: everett, washington Posts: 2,688	Re: suspentions questions. what would you do?? is there a way to change the lack of feeling you get from the steering wheel? like maybe a less powerful P/S pump? lol I feel like when ya drive the truck you can steer it with one finger. LOL So poly is probably the way to go huh? What kind of springs and shocks would you go with? I got the sway bar parts. but like I said. I am just learning, so don't spare the details. __________________ RIP ELJAY Work In Progress 1979 GMC C1500 Trailering Special. Getting the truck done, one piece at a time. “You can tell a lot about a fellow’s character by his way of eating jellybeans.”Ronald Reagan “I don’t know the key to success but I know the key to failure is trying to please everybody.” Bill Cosby Last edited by 79gmcc15; 05-24-2009 at 10:48 PM.

05-25-2009, 02:02 AM	#5
heavychevy79 Cheyenne Super Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 545	Re: suspension questions. what would you do?? You might be able to change pulleys and underdrive the ps pump. 18 to 20 inch whrels will give a bunch of road feel.

05-25-2009, 07:43 AM	#6
Wild83C10 Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 910	Re: suspension questions. what would you do?? Yes poly bushings are the way to go. You want a stiffer spring and a softer shock. A lowering spring is usually stiffer (higher spring rate). There is an allen head screw on top of the box that can be used to adjust the steering feel. __________________ 83 C10 Stepside (SOLD, it was a blast!) 383 MASS-FLO EFI/TKO II 600/3.90 Posi 10 bolt S475 and C4 DM running, fine tuning turbo= Douchebag Racing: Runs Fine all the Time

05-25-2009, 11:12 AM	#7
JFP Motorsports Div Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Phoenix Posts: 57	Re: suspension questions. what would you do?? What you want to do is consider drop spindles and shackles - most of the drops spindle kits are designed to lower your truck without affecting your stock suspension; also consider polyurethane bushings as other users have mentioned (just be sure to use some sort of silicon lubricant or they will squeek like a mother..). There is a lot you can do to get your truck to handle well, another option along with the bushing upgrade is, upgrade to a bigger swaybar, maybe the 1.25" off bigger truck; as for the steering problem, you might just need a simple tune up in the suspension dept. consider tie rod ends, idler arm, etc etc... a poor and loose steering system will not respond efficiently. hope this helps

05-25-2009, 11:48 AM	#8
Tony_SS Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Washington, MO Posts: 643	Re: suspension questions. what would you do?? Try a smaller steering wheel too... like a 13" grant or something. It'll feel less like you are driving a boat or bus.

05-25-2009, 12:39 PM	#9
3r!c84 Badass Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: lox. fl Posts: 4,586	Re: suspension questions. what would you do?? take off the belt to the PS pump and drive it? then you will feel the road __________________ Think outside the box? -84c10 (1stcar)→My Build← -00 Saturn 5spd drop a gear and disappear! 1/4:13:90

05-26-2009, 05:58 AM	#10
D13 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Memphis MI Posts: 1,851	Re: suspension questions. what would you do?? Whatever you try don't go manual steering. Believe me. Perhaps a quick ratio box. But the sway bars, springs, and 2" lowering makes a big difference. __________________ 1987 2 ton 1982 250/TH350 beater in progress Dad's 1981 3/4 L6 3 on tree posi and no options, awaiting restoration or scrapping Plus a mess o' tractors

05-26-2009, 06:05 AM	#11
79gmcc15 Gettin It One Pice At A Time Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: everett, washington Posts: 2,688	Re: suspension questions. what would you do?? cool thanks! just added some of this stuff to my ever growing list! lol and yeah, that's a neg on the manual lol I like power steering lol __________________ RIP ELJAY Work In Progress 1979 GMC C1500 Trailering Special. Getting the truck done, one piece at a time. “You can tell a lot about a fellow’s character by his way of eating jellybeans.”Ronald Reagan “I don’t know the key to success but I know the key to failure is trying to please everybody.” Bill Cosby

05-26-2009, 04:26 PM	#12
74 C-30 Dually Pride Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NH Posts: 540	Re: suspension questions. what would you do?? go with coilovers! __________________ If I have to explain, you wouldn't understand. '74 Chevy C-30 350/4 speed/dually '94 Ford Ranger

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