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Showing results for tags 'springs'.
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Long story short, I think I need to buy springs but don't know which ones to select. RockAuto has 27 different "GM Genuine" coil springs for a 2017 GMC Sierra with 6.2L engine. I am wanting to match the spring rate of a 2017 GMC Sierra SLT CrewCab 4x4 6.2L. If someone has this exact truck, maybe they could post their RPO codes please? Or maybe, hopefully, someone has a better idea to get this info? The long story (if you care to read on) is I have the 2017 GMC Sierra Denali CrewCab 4x4 6.2L with MagneRide shocks & struts. The truck has just under 60K miles and the ride quality has degraded over time. I know at least 1 shock is bad due to it leaking, no codes have been thrown on the dash. Due to the mileage and the expense of the MagneRide shocks, I am pursuing replacing them all with conventional shocks and at the same time, getting my truck level. Several options on the market claiming great ride quality but I'm leaning towards the Bilstein 5100's that I've had on past trucks or the Eibach ProTruck kit E80-23-006-02-22 for $704 that sound great too but I'll need to buy strut mounts and deal with compressing those beasts (others have had issues). Or possibly the RoughCountry E2 loaded struts #501029 - inexpensive but not sure on ride quality + reliability or maybe even Fox 2.0's if I can find them for a good price. I would even consider the Belltech coilovers #15102 for $650 /pair if I could find someone running them with a positive review. If/since my MagneRide coil springs aren't the same/compatible, with some kits including the Bilsteins, I'll need to buy new springs, which isn't a huge deal since they aren't too expensive - some as low as $34. I know Eibach's kit comes with springs included but it appears they have a higher spring rate for trucks with extra weight on the front of their trucks. Of course, I'll need to deal with the MRC electronics, cheapest I've found is https://www.magdelete.com/collections/sierra-1500 and I may end up just getting the entire kit from him but don't know which springs are used with his either... It does make some sense that there are so many different GM Genuine coil springs due to there being 3 different engines available, 3 different cab sizes and 4 different trims... I do zero off-roading or towing and am just looking for a nice street ride with a leveled look. I welcome input on anything I've said but I'm mainly looking for the proper conventional OEM spring that will match best with my truck.
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This has been an on-going research project of mine. I discovered when I inquired about having the Trail Boss (TB) factory lift kit (GM part# 84629787) added to my 2019 LT Z71, that I could not have the kit installed due to the secondary composite leaf springs on my truck. Upon further investigation, I found that ONLY the LT with 5.3L (and LT with 3.0 diesel and short box) had the composite leaf springs preventing the truck from having a TB lift added. On the GMC side, I found out the Sierra Denali also uses the same leaf springs with composite secondary as the LT 5.3L. My first impression was, “why the heck would GM do this?” Why wouldn’t the LTZ or High Country (HC) have the the composite leaf? Why would only the mid-level LT have it? The Sierra Denali has it and it’s a $60K+ truck. My LT averages around $45K. I might be a little upset as a LTZ or HC owner to find out my rear suspension is the same as on any Custom trim truck, or even, the base W/T model. I’ve doing a lot of reading on composite leaf springs and there are more advantages to them than disadvantages. Though they are dimensionally bigger (thicker) than the steel counterpart, they weight a lot less, last longer, and offer better damping properties than steel. GM has had a good track record using composite leaf springs. The same technology has been used on the corvette since 1997 with the introduction of the C5. Disadvantages are minimal, such as, they are more expensive to produce, can burn up in a fire, and in this case, can’t be further bent or altered out of original specification. This must be the reason GM won’t allow the lift to be added to vehicles with a composite leaf. I’m sure the leaf could take the additional stress, GM engineers just want to play it safer than sorry. So with this, the Silverado LT 5.3L (and LT 3.0 diesel with short bed) and the Sierra Denali are the only trucks to use the composite leaf. Though I’m disappointed I won’t be able to get the TB lift added, I’m now pretty stoked to find out my LT has more mechanical innovation put into the suspension and I didn’t have to spend $15K+ more for a Sierra Denali to get it. However with this, it seems that if someone is looking for a top-end truck, the Denali would be the better choice over the HC which lacks the particular composite leaf spring feature, if that mattered to the buyer. For reference, attached here are the GM compatibility charts for the Silverado and Sierra to see if you can add the TB lift kit. Also here is a link to the previous discussion about the TB lift kit where you can find more detail about installation and issues surrounding the composite leaf springs.
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Hello, I have been helped by various posts on this forum for a long time but now joined mainly to ask some questions about upgrading my van. Here is the scenario; my dad purchased the 2000 Chevy Express Conversion Van new from a dealership back in 2001. We used it as a family vehicle for many years but as us 'kids' grew up and married off, the van was left unused. So I purchased it from my dad and have been fixing it up. Whoever did the conversion was an idiot. They took an Express 1500 and made it into a conversion van that weighs 6,800# empty. *The front doors are so heavy we had to reweld the hinges because the factory spot welds were peeling off. *The van had front DRUM brakes which we changed out for a set of Brembo slotted disk brakes. *Changed rear axle ratio from whatever stock was down to 3:73 *I upgraded the wheels from 15" to 17" and the tire size from 26" to 30.5" (yes the front tires rub sometimes, but it is 10X better in snow and rides better.). *I replaced the rear leaf springs with 3/4 ton leaf springs and coil-over heavy duty shocks. *Upgraded the full exhaust system from the manifolds back with 3" pipe and a high flow cat and Thrush muffler. *Replaced the engine after I was a dumbA$$ and never refilled the coolant with coolant after having to add water due to a leak and the block froze and cracked. The replacement engine was taken from a 1999 Chevy Suburban. *The transmission was replaced with a Monster Transmission brand 4L60-E rated up to 600hp and tuned for towing (quick firm shifts) and a heavy duty torque converter. *Replaced all ball-joints and steering bushings. *New "heavy duty" shocks for front suspension - which didn't change anything like I was hoping. Anyway, now I want to upgrade the front suspension because it is SO SOFT that the van struggles to ride flat if the road has any bumps in it. It is 2WD, so no front axle. 1: I want to upgrade the front and rear sway bars, can I just put 3/4-ton or 1-ton sway bars on it? Will they fit? 2: I want to upgrade the front springs and shocks with 3/4 ton springs and shocks. Is this possible? 2b: I would also be happy if anyone new of an air suspension or air-adjustable shocks that might work as well. I can't seem to find anything for front suspension for 2wd Chevy vans or trucks. Thanks for any help.
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- conversion
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The downside to a front level is the loss of rake. This is good for looks until you add a load. I was wondering if adding a leaf to your rear spring set has proven to be an economical and effective way to retain a slightly raked or level profile while using your truck to haul. I have read about "add a leaf" used to raise the back of your truck 1-3 inches. I am not looking for additional lift. I am talking about reinforcing the existing leaf springs to handle loads without significant squatting. There is a spring shop near me that fabricates leaf springs. I am confident they will do any work I request. I just want to hear from people who have tried this and have some comments.
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- leceling
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ride Has anyone used Torklift
Jerry Lee posted a topic in 2014-2018 Silverado & Sierra Troubleshooting
I have been searching for best method to make my 2017 1500 Denali ride better when pulling my camper but most options won’t work with the Denali because of the electronic controlled shocks. E-trailer says their Torklift is the answer. It consists of spacers between the leaf springs and the overload spring. The Torklift is $360 and I want to be sure it works before spending that amount of money. -
John Goreham Contributing Writer, GM-Trucks.com 11-12-2018 Air Lift Company, the aftermarket air suspension specialist, have just released their newly designed LoadLifter 5000 series kits for the 2019 Chevy Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500. The LoadLifter 5000 series features three of Air Lift’s best-selling load support products – the LoadLifter 5000, LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate, and the LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate PLUS. Each Airlift kit in this series offers up to 5,000 lbs. of load-leveling capabilities. The 5000 product family was designed to eliminate squat, trailer sway, and poor headlight aim, common problems frequently faced when towing and hauling. The LoadLifter 5000 (PN 57288) works to level the load and improve ride quality through the use of a pair of double-bellow, fully-adjustable air springs. The LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate (PN 88288) has all of the same benefits, but adds an internal jounce bumper, specifically designed to prevent bottoming out and provide extra protection for heavy loads. The LoadLifter Ultimate Plus+ (PN 89288) has the internal jounce bumper, but also adds upgraded stainless steel hardware and air lines plus military-grade AN fittings. All LoadLifter 5000 series air springs are all air adjustable from 5-100 PSI, for the perfect ride every time. Air Lift also offers wired, wireless and automatic on-board air compressor systems, including the newly redesigned WirelessONE system for convenient inflation and deflation of the springs. All Air Lift load products are backed by an industry-exclusive lifetime warranty which covers the entire contents of the air spring kit. AirLift also offers a 60-day money back guarantee on load support air springs and on-board air compressor systems. Air Lift Company, founded in 1949, is a third-generation, family-owned suspension specialty company based in Lansing, Michigan. Check them out at their website.
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- springs
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From the album: KLRV6
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Anyone have any experience and feedback on a Rancho Add a Leaf Kit part #RS60645 This is for my 05 Sierra ext cab Z71. I have 3" blocks in the back with factory springs and shocks. Torsion keys are cranked in the front to almost max. I've driven the truck like this for about 8 years, ~140,000km. Springs are getting a bit week, no thanks to a couple long haul heavy loads and am now routinely sitting low in the back with the tent trailer and a little gear in the back. Lots of gear and I'm sitting too low. I can afford another 1" of lift in the back dry but need something to help with weight when towing or with heavy loads in the back. Ideally helper bags would be the way to go but they are just too far out of my budget. I'm assuming a single spring is not going to destroy road comfort too much but lets be honest it's a truck and I use it as a truck to haul stuff. From what i've read expect about 1" of lift, It's a bit more rake than I'd prefer but I may be able to crank the torsion bars for another 1/4"
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- 11 comments
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- colorado
- suspension
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John Goreham Contributing Writer, GM-Trucks.com 2/27/2015 King Shock has announced an OEM suspension upgrade package it says will increase the on and off-road performance of the Chevy Colorado. The package includes coilover shocks with an adjustable ride height, several spring rates to choose from, and easy valve adjustments and are 100% serviceable. The company has posted the video below and more information on its website. If you are looking to raise the level of performance on your new Colorado, this is worth a look. You can see the complete specs at the site, but what we took notice of was that this upgrade requires no cutting or welding on your new in-warranty truck.
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- colorado
- suspension
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