Front suspension and steering questions

[Asshat]

Originally Posted by bigmoe

When you have a lean like that it could be caused by the front or back springs. What you can do is, with the truck on a level surface, put the front frame level on jack stands and see if the rear if off. Then do the same thing with the rear frame on jack stands to see if it's the front where the problem is.

Ok, I think I’ll try this.

[Asshat]

The distance from the frame to the top of the axle is 1/4” less on the driver side. Not sure if this would make a difference of 1-1/2” when sitting on the ground.

I wonder if the pan hard bar could affect this?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Asshat

The distance from the frame to the top of the axle is 1/4” less on the driver side. Not sure if this would make a difference of 1-1/2” when sitting on the ground.

I wonder if the pan hard bar could affect this?

Put something under the tires if you need the room (I use pieces of 10x10x2 wood stacked as necessary) & have full weight for your measuring. It shouldn't but can make a difference.

1/4" is not going to translate into 1.5" on the opposite end. That dimension is within 'standards' of a vehicle corner height.

[Asshat]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Put something under the tires if you need the room (I use pieces of 10x10x2 wood stacked as necessary) & have full weight for your measuring. It shouldn't but can make a difference.

1/4" is not going to translate into 1.5" on the opposite end. That dimension is within 'standards' of a vehicle corner height.

The measurements I took was with the truck on jack stands, and the axle just hanging.

[Asshat]

More info.
I think it is the way the spring sits in the retainer. Is this spring retainer intended to be
positioned a specific way?

[Asshat]

Do those springs look too collapsed with the truck just sitting on the ground?

And, will 1/2 ton springs work on a 3/4 ton truck? I am not planning on carrying heavy loads, just normal driving around town.
The Truck and Car Shop in Orange only lists springs for 1/2 ton pickups.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Asshat

1) Do those springs look too collapsed with the truck just sitting on the ground?

2)And, will 1/2 ton springs work on a 3/4 ton truck? I am not planning on carrying heavy loads, just normal driving around town.
The Truck and Car Shop in Orange only lists springs for 1/2 ton pickups.

1) Yes, they do.
2) Yes, they do.

[bigmoe]

Those springs do look pretty collapsed. I'd be worried it would sit too high if you bought new stock springs. A lot of guys (including me) use 97-06 Jeep TJ rear coils as drop coils on 1/2 tons. (ACDelco 45H2104)

[Asshat]

Originally Posted by bigmoe

Those springs do look pretty collapsed. I'd be worried it would sit too high if you bought new stock springs. A lot of guys (including me) use 97-06 Jeep TJ rear coils as drop coils on 1/2 tons. (ACDelco 45H2104)

What drop do these provide for a C10 pickup?

2” maybe??

[bigmoe]

4" I believe. And I see in my notes the ACDelco 45H2104 is a 653lb variable spring.

[Asshat]

Originally Posted by bigmoe

4" I believe. And I see in my notes the ACDelco 45H2104 is a 653lb variable spring.

I read a couple posts about those springs, people complaining of spongy ride. Not sure if that’s accurate. I wasn’t planning on a 4” drop - is that just the rear, or 4” drop for the front too?

[bigmoe]

Mine is 2 1/2" drop spindle front with stock springs, 4" drop in back with those Jeep springs. It's a short fleet and the back is very stiff. I still want to try to loosen it up with some different shocks but that will be after I get it from storage in the spring.

There is also a heavier Jeep spring. The ACDelco 45H2103 and the Moog 47939GB are 821lbs variable.

One of my biggest complaints about my truck is the poor (clunky/stiff) ride. The other complaint I have is not enough leg room.

[Asshat]

I think I’m just going to go down to the Truck Shop and see if they have the 2” or 3” drop springs for the rear. At least those will fit and all I have to do is get the right drop. The Jeep springs are not a sure thing, and if they are 4” drop that’s probably too much for what I want.

[Railroadman]

Originally Posted by Asshat

The truck sits pretty nice, I think. A while back, I was thinking about dropping it a couple of inches.

If I do buy new springs, you think I should go with 2” lower front and rear?

That's a question you will have to decide for yourself - we all have different likes and dislikes.

Since you ask the question, people have been lowering vehicles since long before most of us were born. That said, I have never liked the lowered or slammed looks. The lower something sits, the more it looks to me like it's broken. I guess I'm more of an "original" guy.

Again I'm not saying lowering is "wrong", just that to my eyes the truck looks more normal at standard ride height. YMMV.

[Asshat]

Originally Posted by Railroadman

That's a question you will have to decide for yourself - we all have different likes and dislikes.

Since you ask the question, people have been lowering vehicles since long before most of us were born. That said, I have never liked the lowered or slammed looks. The lower something sits, the more it looks to me like it's broken. I guess I'm more of an "original" guy.

Again I'm not saying lowering is "wrong", just that to my eyes the truck looks more normal at standard ride height. YMMV.

I’m not certain, just guessing that if my springs are collapsed, I’m already at a 2” or 3” drop. The truck does not look slammed, so if I can keep it about the same, I’ll be happy.

[Asshat]

I looked in the manual and it shows a notch should be aligned with the end of the spring. Not sure if the end of the spring should be facing in or out? Anyone have an idea?

On the passenger side, the spring was not removed, so it seems the driver side spring was incorrectly installed.

Has anyone installed these before? Can you confirm the notch is on the spring retainer?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Asshat

I looked in the manual and it shows a notch should be aligned with the end of the spring. Not sure if the end of the spring should be facing in or out? Anyone have an idea?

On the passenger side, the spring was not removed, so it seems the driver side spring was incorrectly installed.

Has anyone installed these before? Can you confirm the notch is on the spring retainer?

It doesn't matter.

Just clock the springs the same on each side & install the retainers similarly @ each side.

[Asshat]

I installed stock height, new coil springs in the back and got a new track arm (pan hard bar). I think it sits more level than before. Rides a lot better too. Next step is to replace the front springs and ball joints.

Also going to list some 2” drop springs; these did not work out for me. Couldn’t get the wheels mounted, tires a bit too wide.

[cwcarpenter98]

How's your cab and core support mounts lookin? If they are blown out, that could also make it look like it's leaning

[bigmoe]

Originally Posted by Asshat

Also going to list some 2” drop springs; these did not work out for me. Couldn’t get the wheels mounted, tires a bit too wide.

I have a similar problem (made even worse because the short box has a smaller wheel opening). Solved it by jacking the truck up by the frame so the suspension is in full droop. That gives room to remove/replace the tire.

[Asshat]

Well, the truck is still leaning to the driver side. Measured at the rear bumper it is 1-1/2" lower on the driver side. I may need to jack it up at the frame and loosen the springs and see if I can rotate them to get it to sit evenly.
Maybe that will work.

[The Rocknrod]

Originally Posted by cwcarpenter98

How's your cab and core support mounts lookin? If they are blown out, that could also make it look like it's leaning

Looking at the a-arm space when seeing the front of the truck, that's what I'd look at also.