Suspension Help

tthomas · December 22, 2015

I just picked up my new to me 2015 2500HD. It looks like it has some suspension mods, but I'm not exactly sure. It has bilstein shocks all the way around. It has a rear sway bar that is aftermarket. It has a grey with black dots coating on it. Is the rear sway bar standard equipment? The finish and mounting make me think it's aftermarket. Also it sits level front to back. It seems like overall the stance is higher than normal. I have looked at the front end and can't really see anything that looks modified other than the shocks. I am wanting to add some wheels but I need to try to figure out how much it has been lifted so I can get the best setup. Can anybody explain to me why the sway bar would either be added or upgraded on the rear? I was also wondering if someone would take the time to measure their bed rail height and maybe get a measurement on the front that I can compare to mine. It has the factory chrome 20" wheels with new 275/65R20 Nitto Terra Grapplers, and they don't run at all if that helps.

Sorry for the long post. Thanks in advance for the help.

tthomas · December 22, 2015

ttt

sugarjohnson · December 22, 2015

If you just see bilstein shocks and no UCA it was most likely leveled via torsion bar bolts. Small lift is not bad but if they are cranked all the way it may wear front suspension stuff more quickly. The rear sway bar is most likely a Hellwig and is a nice bonus. Used for stability side to side or towing, truck camper etc.

I am actually considering a Hellwig myself for a new 15 3500. I actually turned my bolts up to raise 1" and added bilstein all the way around as well. The bilstein perform better imo then oem rancho. I only wanted minimal hes I need rake for towing and I went up one tire size on my 18" rims. Before raising I can tell you my truck measured 24 1/2" from center hub to bottom of front fender. Hope this helps.

tthomas · December 22, 2015

Thanks sugarjohnson for the reply! I went out and measured mine and on the front from the center of the hub to the bottom of the fender mine measures 26.5" and on the rear it measures 27". What does UCA mean? Do you how I can tell if the torsion bars have been raised all the way? I'm thinking I can get under it and the bolt will be bottomed out. Not sure if thats right tho. I really wish I could just contact the previous owner to ask, but the dealership said they can't tell me.

newdude · December 22, 2015

Thanks sugarjohnson for the reply! I went out and measured mine and on the front from the center of the hub to the bottom of the fender mine measures 26.5" and on the rear it measures 27". What does UCA mean? Do you how I can tell if the torsion bars have been raised all the way? I'm thinking I can get under it and the bolt will be bottomed out. Not sure if thats right tho. I really wish I could just contact the previous owner to ask, but the dealership said they can't tell me.

UCA is upper control arm. Look at the rear of the upper control arm and see how close it is to the control arm stop. I think there is supposed to be a 1/2 inch of room? might be 3/4". Also see if it has aftermarket arms (tubular most likely as the factory are either cast or forged I forget).

With those measurements I bet those adjuster bolts have been turned quite a bit. The shocks are most likely longer in the front vs. using a shock spacer, although they may have gone with a spacer and a normal ride height shock.

Sway bar is not factory. Why would they add it? Extra roll/sway control.

tthomas · December 22, 2015

Thanks 15H! I went out and measured my frame clearance and I have .5". I can see that it has bottomed out on the stop before. It doesn't look like it has done it a lot or even recently, but I can tell it has. Do you think I should replace A frames? If so which ones are the best or most tested?

If anyone has a 15 model that knows what the stock ride heights are I could really use that. I am wanting to get some wheels and tires and want to get it right the first time. It's a expensive investment.

Thanks for all the help