Grumpy Bears 2015 Silverado 2WD

[306K5]

Took me a couple of days but I just went through all 50 pages. If only GM knew how much attention that VIN number would get when they built it! Not like that would change anything. 

 

I PMd you regarding suspension awhile back, I think about your advice weekly on my 2014 regular cab shorty. Still have yet to pull the trigger as I'm living in Canada and the border is closed. 

 

Is 600# spring rate still the sweet spot for the front in your opinion/application? I like how it dropped the stance and uses the full range of travel much better. 

 

I almost feel like just copying your setup, as there is no way I can start fresh with a salesperson and go to the level you have. My only difference is I'm a 5.3 4x4 with a bit more weight.

 

 

[Grumpy Bear]

5 hours ago, Geoff Walliser said:

Took me a couple of days but I just went through all 50 pages. If only GM knew how much attention that VIN number would get when they built it! Not like that would change anything. 

 

I PMd you regarding suspension awhile back, I think about your advice weekly on my 2014 regular cab shorty. Still have yet to pull the trigger as I'm living in Canada and the border is closed. 

 

Is 600# spring rate still the sweet spot for the front in your opinion/application? I like how it dropped the stance and uses the full range of travel much better. 

 

I almost feel like just copying your setup, as there is no way I can start fresh with a salesperson and go to the level you have. My only difference is I'm a 5.3 4x4 with a bit more weight.

 

 

 

You have stamina, I'll give you that. That's allot of reading.

 

The factory spring on the King OEM is 750#. The motor is heavier in yours and you have more sprung weight in the 4x4. If you buy from Filthy Motorsport there is a spring exchange and if  you do it early enough it cost you shipping on  your return. But my gut says the 750# would be a better choice for your weight. Ben Brazda is easy to work with but hard to reach during racing season. 

 

That said I think if I were doing this scratch I may use Accutune and Fox struts/shocks. I for sure would use a piggy back in the rear as I would have liked to go lower yet. 

 

If you commit to not towing or hauling more than you would in a family four door sedan then you have allot more wiggle room on the back. 

 

The entire drop up front came from the Bell 2" drop knuckles. On back side 2" came from the Deaver springs and 1-1/2 from removing the block. 

 

Hope that is helpful. 

 

 

[306K5]

2 hours ago, Grumpy Bear said:

 

You have stamina, I'll give you that. That's allot of reading.

 

The factory spring on the King OEM is 750#. The motor is heavier in yours and you have more sprung weight in the 4x4. If you buy from Filthy Motorsport there is a spring exchange and if  you do it early enough it cost you shipping on  your return. But my gut says the 750# would be a better choice for your weight. Ben Brazda is easy to work with but hard to reach during racing season. 

 

That said I think if I were doing this scratch I may use Accutune and Fox struts/shocks. I for sure would use a piggy back in the rear as I would have liked to go lower yet. 

 

If you commit to not towing or hauling more than you would in a family four door sedan then you have allot more wiggle room on the back. 

 

The entire drop up front came from the Bell 2" drop knuckles. On back side 2" came from the Deaver springs and 1-1/2 from removing the block. 

 

Hope that is helpful. 

 

 

Very helpful thanks!

 

I currently have a couple other GM full sized lower to the earth. One with spindles, one with control arms. My 2014 drives me nuts at stock height, actually it's leveled.. for some reason I didn't remove that gift from the previous owner... yet.

 

It makes more sense now that you mentioned the lowering spindle, I remember reading you changed it but didn't see the drop it offered. What excites me even more is you're lowered with better than OEM ride quality!

 

Have you weighed your front end and rear axle separately? I know I'm heavier but I'm wondering how much all that adds up to be. If you have weights I'll fire it up from summer rest and go hit the scales. 

 

I am so tired of the rough ride, as is my wife that I'm willing to go on the extreme soft side with my suspension.  I have an old trusty steed diesel for all my towing needs. My silverado use is opposite of yours, winter only because it's 4x4 and fits in the garage during the cold months.

 

It also doesn't see much highway duty, just rough city roads. If it has boaty body roll but rides like a car sign me up.

[Grumpy Bear]

Stock my truck was like 4580 and 52/48. It's now  and oh so very close to 50/50.

Tell ya what. If I were doing this over I'd use the stock rear leaves and loose the middle leaf, over load leaf, and block. See where that sits then have it de-arched to make height up to 2", no more. If I needed more I would use the shackles. If it hops when that soft a traction bar. Still keep the Bell spindle. Kings again but remotes in back and let Accutune dial it in. Shave 2" off the rear bump stops and leave the front drop stops alone. 

 

Now that said if you would like to duplicate mine, and it will not wheel hop contact Deaver and have this spring made, it's on file.  

 

 

[306K5]

14 minutes ago, Grumpy Bear said:

Stock my truck was like 4580 and 52/48. It's now  and oh so very close to 50/50.

Tell ya what. If I were doing this over I'd use the stock rear leaves and loose the middle leaf, over load leaf, and block. See where that sits then have it de-arched to make height up to 2", no more. If I needed more I would use the shackles. If it hops when that soft a traction bar. Still keep the Bell spindle. Kings again but remotes in back and let Accutune dial it in. Shave 2" off the rear bump stops and leave the front drop stops alone. 

 

Now that said if you would like to duplicate mine, and it will not wheel hop contact Deaver and have this spring made, it's on file.  

 

 

I like the idea of messing with the rear leaf, cost is low and if I need to replace it I have (thankfully) your Deaver spring specs now! New U-bolts aren't too spendy so I can take pictures as I go and post if I go down that path. 

 

I should maybe know this from your thread, but how did you gain 500lbs aside from rear leafs/shocks? 

 

I'm sitting at 4940lbs (my attached scale picture shows KG). Not sure on the fuel situation then, I had just finished building the truck. It's a 2014 originally, 2016 cab on a brand new 2018 GM frame with a 2018 HD front clip. I didnt see any differences in the cab/frame from the original. The HD front bumper might be slightly heavier however. 

 

I'm just baffled as to why our truck weights are so close with different drivetrain, but your starting weight makes way more sense.

[Grumpy Bear]

18 minutes ago, Geoff Walliser said:

I like the idea of messing with the rear leaf, cost is low and if I need to replace it I have (thankfully) your Deaver spring specs now! New U-bolts aren't too spendy so I can take pictures as I go and post if I go down that path. 

 

I should maybe know this from your thread, but how did you gain 500lbs aside from rear leafs/shocks? 

 

I'm sitting at 4940lbs (my attached scale picture shows KG). Not sure on the fuel situation then, I had just finished building the truck. It's a 2014 originally, 2016 cab on a brand new 2018 GM frame with a 2018 HD front clip. I didnt see any differences in the cab/frame from the original. The HD front bumper might be slightly heavier however. 

 

I'm just baffled as to why our truck weights are so close with different drivetrain, but your starting weight makes way more sense.

Me (220 at the time) the dog (30 lbs) a full tank of fuel and a spray in Premium Line-X box liner AND rear wheel tubs spray in liner AND as you noted, the springs I used are heavy PLUS the Sulastic hangers are a ton. Pretty much all on the back half. 

 

Pretty truck you have there.  

[306K5]

9 hours ago, Grumpy Bear said:

Me (220 at the time) the dog (30 lbs) a full tank of fuel and a spray in Premium Line-X box liner AND rear wheel tubs spray in liner AND as you noted, the springs I used are heavy PLUS the Sulastic hangers are a ton. Pretty much all on the back half. 

 

Pretty truck you have there.  

Thanks, it's far from perfect my starting point was less than ideal. 

 

So with you and co-pilot out you're 4810lbs. I should still weigh again with fuel. But that's much closer than I thought. I'd imagine I have more on my front end though.

 

Side note have you every thought about fabricating a lower air diffuser that streamlines airflow from the lower front bumper valance back past behind the oil pan? 

 

I too watch fuel economy like my life depends on it, sold my TDI VW so I've considered building some of these for my low 2wd trucks to test. 

 

[Grumpy Bear]

6 hours ago, Geoff Walliser said:

Thanks, it's far from perfect my starting point was less than ideal. 

 

So with you and co-pilot out you're 4810lbs. I should still weigh again with fuel. But that's much closer than I thought. I'd imagine I have more on my front end though.

 

Side note have you every thought about fabricating a lower air diffuser that streamlines airflow from the lower front bumper valance back past behind the oil pan? 

 

I too watch fuel economy like my life depends on it, sold my TDI VW so I've considered building some of these for my low 2wd trucks to test. 

 

Okay that guys videos are a black hole for time. Some good stuff there. Mine is covered from splitter to the bellhousing from the factory but nothing past that. Now you went and started something. 

 

 

[306K5]

19 hours ago, Grumpy Bear said:

Okay that guys videos are a black hole for time. Some good stuff there. Mine is covered from splitter to the bellhousing from the factory but nothing past that. Now you went and started something. 

 

 

Black hole is right!!  My truck only has a pan from the front cross member back, I'd definitely like to try one from the from bumper valance. I also need to seal up the HD grille more it has a ton of extra cooling. One of these days I'll make a thread.

[Grumpy Bear]

5 hours ago, Geoff Walliser said:

Black hole is right!!  My truck only has a pan from the front cross member back, I'd definitely like to try one from the from bumper valance. I also need to seal up the HD grille more it has a ton of extra cooling. One of these days I'll make a thread.

How about now?

 

 

[Grumpy Bear]

ValvoMax Oil Drain System

 

6/6/2021

 

Ordered this today. Hope it gets here before the next oil change. I looked at the others, Stahlbus, Fumoto , EZ, Famco and several others. This one was middle pack in price and top shelf in construction and attention to detail to the details. Like the cap retainer. (I'll try it but I'm thinking safety wire)  Loved the drain assembly which is a large star wheel that allows throttling for samples with a bare hand on a hot motor.  Compact and user friendly. 304 Stainless construction. Wave washer one way check ball. Full throated. Nice knurling.  

 

 

 

 

Yea, yea; as far as modifications go this one won't turn heads but it will turn a few less wrenches.

[pokismoki]

what size is our drain bolt?

[Grumpy Bear]

9 hours ago, pokismoki said:

what size is our drain bolt?

 

12mm x 1.75mm

 

 

Edited June 8, 2021 by Grumpy Bear

[Grumpy Bear]

140,000 Mile Services

 

6/9/2021

140,280 actual

5,103 OCI

Oil usage under two ounces. 

 

6 Quarts AMSOIL 10W30

1 Purolator PL22500

 

1 ValvoMax drain plug installed. 

 

 

Tire balance and rotation. 15K on this set and wearing well. 9/32"

Brake slides and pads checked. Mechanic says it may never need brakes. 

 

[Grumpy Bear]

6/9/2021

Additional Services

 

In the photo above the pan looks damp doesn't it? I sprayed it down with brake cleaner. 200 miles later...dry. I'm going to guess John wiped down with an oily rag. He knows how I hate drips. Still, I'll be watching this for a few thousand. If it wets again I'll add a black light dye indicator and go fishing.  

 

I hadn't cleaned the injectors in awhile so added Red Line SI-1 at a rate of 1 ounce per gallon. I will attempt to continue service on this at a rate of 1/4 ounce per gallon. Does this stuff work? I think so. 

 

We've had a hot streak going around here of 85F to 95 F for three tanks. The first three tanks were, 28.79, 28.78, 28.61. for a 28.73 average and as it turn out exactly the same total miles / total gallons. 

 

Then I treated. Next tank 29.45 mpg. That's only a 3% increase so there were not terribly dirty. Good but I keep an eye on a few more.  

 

I also watch my KI ****** allot which has backed down about 3 to 5 degrees less ******. That's more impressive.

 

It gets a place on my SHORT LIST of crazy good products.