Suspension Upgrade

[Kratos_2208]

Hey, Just looking for some recommendations. I am debating on upgrading my front suspension to a 3/4 ton and looking at getting a ranch hand heavy duty front bumper for my truck. Looking to see if anyone out there has done an upgrade like this and what they had to do. Bare minimum looked like upgrading torsion bars, shocks, and springs. Is this even worth it without upgrading to a 3/4 ton silverado all together. Currently looking at doing this because I don't have the money to get a new truck but looking at other options for making this work. Ranch hand has a light weight 200lb front bumper but it looks flimsy compared to their heavier duty models but, as expected, they are heavier. If anyone else knows anything about these or has any expert advice, please let me know. I am looking at having this truck for years to come still so any help is appreciated. Thank you for your time.

[kstruckcountry]

No way to do it.

 

Your best option is throwing on leveling struts (Bilstein 5100 or similar), throw on the bumper and go. The bumper on my 2006 weighs no more than 200 pounds and is plenty strong for deer and similar. Any stronger, and it'll bend the frame anyways (like it should).

[Chris]

The 1500 utilitizes a strut suspension and 2500 has torsion bars. Completely different frame and mounting

[Spurshot]

Tyler,

What's the job you don't think the current suspension is up for? If you just want added load capability, think about some rear air bags, E rated tires, Helwig swaybars, some bigger front brakes and maybe some Bilstein shocks suggested above. The issue with all of this is that it costs money. Lots of it. If your truck isn't up for the task you need it for, it is probably cheaper in the long run to get the 2500-3500.

 

In order to replicate a 3/4 ton suspension, it'd require extensive cutting and welding on your frame to put all the different pieces from the crossmember to the A-arms and torsion bars. It'd be a mod that would gain you little in real load capability and make it ride much worse than you can get from the 1500 suspension. So, no, it's not worth attempting, IMO.

[Jon A]

Looking to see if anyone out there has done an upgrade like this and what they had to do. Bare minimum looked like upgrading torsion bars, shocks, and springs. Is this even worth it without upgrading to a 3/4 ton silverado all together.

 

As the others have said, you can't really switch over to a 3/4 ton suspension. However, you can greatly improve your front suspension's ability to handle the extra weight. ICON, Fox and King coilovers all use standard race springs which come in any rate you want. I'm sure all of those companies have had plenty of customers who wanted something stiffer than their standard (usually about 700 lb/in) springs to better handle heavy bumper, winch, lots of towing, etc, and could set you up.

 

Though you may find with better shocks (and the ability to adjust the coilover to make up for the sag) you don't really need springs that are much stiffer so don't be afraid to try the off the shelf spring first if you find a really good deal.