suspension review and modifications

[ejpAZ]

Hello, just signed up with these forums to be able to get in on this good convo. never been in a forum nor ever used social media so take er easy, ha.  just finished my truck and am in the dialing in/finding my preferences/review phase. First truck ever and first time spending some hard earned cash to try and do things right the first time (in moderation, cuz the money tree wasn't flourishing, ha). Cuz I'm good at breaking things. I wanted to get some feedback from you folks as now would be the time to make any adjustments. here's the trucks stats:

2018 silverado, 5.3, 3.43 gearing (bought new)

put 20 in wheels with leveling kit initially, but now that Ive learned more about off roading I wanted to go with more of a legit setup. I realize that the fox 2.0's are more practical for my application - light off roading but like i said Im good at getting in over my head when playing and without having multiple trucks to actually go out and drive and feel, I figured like my 16 yr old says, YOLO - you only live once. I blew too much money and went with the DSC's. I figured I would be happier down the road with an adjustable shock and a rebuildable one also.

1) 285/70r 17 - c load ( wanted to g with c load for a more forgiving side wall 

2) black bear tune (stock acceleration was depressing, and was shocked when I learned about the price to lift a truck the right way- basically I didn't want to spend money to re gear this truck for bigger tires) (i do enjoy the tune, by the way. expensive but brings a smile to my face every time i accelerate, and got rid of AFM (V4 option), and the clunking when dow shifting)

3) fox 2.5 dsc front and rears from Accutune (waited 1 yr for these products) 

4) deaver mini pack - progessive payload spring replacement, (lifts the rear approx 2 in) can remove bottom "stackers" for hight adj if needed. I wanted a rake for towing and or payload 

5) UCA replacement - went with icon delta joint _they had sent the wrong part, so had to go with kryptonite during install but am second guessing krytponite at the point - will discuss in pics below

other minor mods you can see in pics (ceramic coating, SDHQ skid plate) 

 

 

truck with wheels and tires with stock suspension

 

 

still stock. Wanted to keep a rake on the truck with new setup so front tires aren't "floating" when pulling or hauling my dirtbike with loaded bed.

 

 

truck after new suspension is installed, sits 2 in taller in rear and taller in front with rake (not sure lift height diff in front) 

but i wanted max function with front coilovers so they are set as such according to accutune and fox which is 18.66 in from top hat to bottom bolt of coilover. These coilovers have a 0-3 in adjustability, I beleive fox says max height for function is approx 2.25in. 

 

 

Rear DSC adjusters are not easy to get to. You have to lie on the ground under truck. Reac up to top of resi  and adjust

 

 

still have to go back to install shop for re torque after 1k miles.

went out and tried her out 3 passes (wide open (soft), medium, and max firm setting) , low and high speed each pass. pretty pot holed up dried mud farm road. 

 

after second pass, I noticed 90 degree angle on control arm was starting to eat into resi hose

 

had to put a temp fix on it

 

icon delta joint was ordered to be used but they sent the wrong part so for a quick fix and me being impatient after waiting a year for suspension, i went with the install shops quick fix of the kryptonite UCA. but looks like a tubular UCA would glide against the hose as opposed to eat into it. fox says with the resi hose being where its at, it limits control arm movement. hmmmm.... me no likey. 

So thats where im at

 

overall, the verdict on the review of the suspension feel and drivability is not out yet. I wont comment too much as I haven't used mine much. definitely not long arm travel like a side by side. And it seems that faster = smoother over the rougher stuff. 

 

 

some of the guys I work with have similar setups. So once mine is dialed in. I will let them drive my truck as I will drive theirs for comparison. But it will not be an apple to apples comparison. 4 runners, diesel setups, 2.0's, etc....... 

 

I'm curious of your input and feedback. Please and thanks