2009 Silverado 2599 HD Rear Axle Question

[Duke4AZ]

First, let me say that I generally do extensive research to answer most of my questions before I ask, but new to the site and like all noobes, I just got to ask the question before I dig into the data.

 

Actually, not sure how the sight is layed out and had no luck with search tool. I can never get the correct tags or search criteria right.

 

So, the question is this, did the truck in the topic title come with some type of air assist suspension as either stock or an option? I am putting the axle on an '88 K5 and there appears to be a set of perches mounted on there that I don't recognize. They have to come off, I think, but if they are for an air suspension system of some time, I may try to figure out how to integrate the capability into the build. I want to tow with it when I am done and an air system back there would be helpful for load support on tongue weight.

 

One followup question; is there a specification forum on this site, or what are the popular sights for getting OEM specs on some of the equipment in these trucks?

 

Thanks,

Duke.

[Chevor]

Theyre just there. On every axle.

[Duke4AZ]

Really? GM welds two heavy brackets on a heavy duty axle on their most expensive non-commercial vehicle with not special function. Of course AMM makes these axles for a lot of different truck builders so maybe the brackets are used for something on a different model and it is just cheaper to keep the line moving, so to speak.

 

The question is more a curiosity than of relevance, so I will see what I can find out and post it here for general knowledge.

 

Thanks for the insight.

[Formulabruce]

The answer is simple. These are rests for overload springs which can be dealer installed and sold by GM as well. I have installed overloads and these line right up as a rest spot for the bottom arch of said overload springs. Not needed on a K5. I assume you are putting a 8 lug front end on that 88 1/2 ton, or youll have some interesting wheel situation with 8 lug rear and 6 lug front

[Duke4AZ]

The answer is simple. These are rests for overload springs which can be dealer installed and sold by GM as well. I have installed overloads and these line right up as a rest spot for the bottom arch of said overload springs. Not needed on a K5. I assume you are putting a 8 lug front end on that 88 1/2 ton, or youll have some interesting wheel situation with 8 lug rear and 6 lug front

That makes sense. I figured it was some type of load assist. Nope, not something I am going to mess with on the K5.

 

Both the front Dana 60 and the '09 14blt are 8 lug axles, not crazy about the 8 extra lug nuts, but you get what you get when you get what you want. The D60 will bolt right up to the existing springs . . . he says with just a tape measure in his hands . . . but the 14blt is 3" wider than the existing 10blt and spring and shock mounts are all together different . . . again with an eyeball and a tape measure . . . and are going to take some mods on the spring perches and the shock mounts. That is why I was interested in the 2nd set of perches. Might be able to come up with something for spring wrap or axle rotation or whatever it is called when your springs want to start to wrap around your axle because of the torque.

 

Like I mentioned, while I drive an 06 1500 Sierra, I have not done much to it but drive it and maintain it. While I know the '88 inside and out . . . literally since it is totally disassembled down to the sheet metal and frame . . . putting the two together is always going to end up with issues that were not anticipated. Just trying to get ahead of that curve.

 

I live in AZ so the build season is just about to start up again, and the rolling chassis is the objective for the season.

 

Thanks for the information. I appreciate it.

[sdeeter19555]

Aren't the '09 axles a metric bolt pattern? Or am I thinking '11?

 

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[MNorby]

2011 is the switch to 8 on 180mm.

I'd just clean all those brackets off the axle and start fresh with new perches from someone like Ruff Stuff. For searching for more on this might check out CK5 too.

[Duke4AZ]

Aren't the '09 axles a metric bolt pattern? Or am I thinking '11?

 

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Wow, deeter, now wouldn't that be a real pisser. I usually think of shtuff like that, but I did not see the AMM1150 with a metric pattern. Thanks, MNorby for clearing that up. I will make sure I check this evening.

 

I do hang on CK5 (chevyK5Blazer, not ColoradoK5) a lot, have a build thread there, but 90% of the content is how to make old stuff new again, not integrate new stuff into the old except engines that is. Good site though and I use it a lot. Same handle there as well.

 

The '09 axle is going to take some serious work to get under the K5, which, now that it is getting cool enough to work in the garage, is where the next phase of the build is going to start.

 

Thanks again for the information.

 

Will be posting picks to a blog soon so I can share with the groups that are providing help and information.