Can someone w/ fender flares take a measurement

[tryn2lrn]

Hello again, I just had a plow installed on my 1/2 ton truck and after removing the plow I noticed the truck sat higher than before the plow was installed. I took it for a ride and it is definetly riding harder as well. My question is can someone with fender flares take measurements from the bottom edge in the center of the flares to the street front and back. I don't care about the actual measurements as much as I do the difference between front and back. This way if I don't get a straight answer from the installer I can adjust the bars to the normal difference and see how many turns they cranked them. The only caveat is I have a plow prepped truck and I don't know if that affects this any, I don't think it does because as I recall it had the dreaded droop in the front just like the rest of the 1/2 tons. Thanks

[kenlacy]

Front is 35 1/4" , rear is 37" on my 04 Z71 suburban.

 

Typically when you get a plow installed, they beef up the front springs. HAd on put on a 2001 dodge and 95 Chevy, both times they added beefier springs, both times also gave a harsher ride when the plow was off.

[kenlacy]

Also, I do have a stainless Brush guard on it and my driveway is a slight decline - as it is parked, front end is probable 1 foot lower than the back end, so a little weight is being transferred. I think if you were to take off my brush guard and and park it flat - front would probably gain 1/2" in height.

[Wingnut]

I don't think that having somebody else take measurements on their truck will do you much good, as they vary quite a bit.

 

Some trucks even have as much as 3/4" difference from side to side, right off the showroom floor.

 

If it's stiff, back them off a little. Then when you put the plow back on, twist them back up however much you backed them off.

 

That's my .02 anyway.

[tryn2lrn]

I found out why the ride was so bad, the "professional" installers had the key adjusters at max!! They put the plow on and just cranked the bars as far as they would go!!!!!!!!!!! Un-freakin-believable!!!!!!!!!!!! I backed them down 4 turns already and the truck is still way higher then before. When I sat it on a flat area the front end was actually higher than the back. Now it's about an inch lower in the front than the back. Geez are they going to get an earfull again tomorrow! I am afraid to let these idiots touch it again. I don't think i will. The tires were noticably pulled in at the bottom. Does anyone know were I can buy the Factory GM service manuals?

[citydriver]

Does anyone know were I can buy the Factory GM service manuals?

TRY HERE

[Guest 007FL]

Cranking theT-bars that much is going to require an alignment regardless of whether you are going up or down with them. I'd try to find out if they did an alignment after installing the plow.

[tryn2lrn]

No they didn't do a re-alignment either. Nor did they make any mention of it. I knew I would have to. I am just trying to make sure my trim height is not exceeding max for warranty issues. Thanks for the help everyone.

[sonjaab]

TRYN...........I warned you....................

Call the installer..........make THEM pay for another alignment !

 

Turn the bars back down first !

 

Its hard to have measurements for any of our trucks to be the same as

yours. They are all assembled different ie: frame and body tweaks etc.

 

our measurements will be a good rough guide tho.................

 

Like I suggested............Punch mark the bolt heads and frame for

reference and twist up the bars in the winter and back down in the summer.

 

Good luck...................geo

[tryn2lrn]

Sonjaab, do you get the front end aligned each time you move the bars? Had I known they were going to screw it up for me I would have counted threads and marked everything. But I really didn't expect them to put the impact on the adjusters and "go nuts". I backed them down and took it for a ride then backed them down some more. I think I have them set reasonably. I measured the pivot bolt and end of A frame to make sure they were balanced. I have them about an inch higher than the standard rigs and the ride is pretty good (no more chipped teeth". I threw the plow on about an hour ago and it sinks down to about where stock trucks sit, I didn't drive far but it appears ok if I drive reasonably. Although the corner of the plow only sits about "4 of the ground at full angle and on my terrible back roads here in PA it crunches everywhere. It's ok if I back off on the angle, I was told by many people to angle it as much as possible and keep it as low as possible "that works if your driving the salt flats". I am going to get the front end aligned (my dime) and try it this season if I don't like it well then Timbrens will follow. I will chalk it up to "leason learned". Yeah by the way I will be receiving a new air dam since they chain sawed my up "real perrty like". If I figure out how to do pictures I'll take some photos. Thanks for the advice and the ear.

[Shaners]

Tryn2lrn, I live in PA and I know what you mean about the roads!!! They are absolutly terrible year 'round!!!

[tryn2lrn]

Hey Neighbor, I heard we came in 48th for the countries best roads!!! What an honor.

[sonjaab]

TRYN...............My OBS trucks I never messed with the bars.

But I had the old style hard mount Western set up tho.

Ground clearance never an issue !

 

My 01 and 04 are quite low to the ground tho.

My 01 I would crank the bars approx. 5 full cranks in winter.

And back down in the summer.

I did have the frame and bolt head marked for reference tho.

I never had it aligned ,noticed a rough ride, or had any odd

tire wear in 30k miles.

 

Heck, My 01 with the Goodyear RTS? (can't remember exact letters)

wore out at 25k.......

My 01s stock Deathstones wore like IRON and looked new at trade in time !

 

Don't let the adjuster bolts fool ya either.......One may be screwed almost

all the way in and the other 4+ turns out.

Like I said tweeks and mfr. differences in 1 truck from the next !

 

Did ya check those torsion bar RPO codes I posted against the ones on

yout truck? I would like to know myself.................

 

Keep us posted bro.................

 

Hey you guys live near Philly? If so I usually hook up with the Philly

plowheads once or twice a year at Hooters for a little BS and story telling

session ! I have family down there !................................geo

[sonjaab]

BTW: I am at the Snow and Ice Management Assoc. convention

right now in Minneapolis Minn.

 

Local bar has free internet surfing............

 

Was at the trade snow with all the new snow equipment.

 

I notice Western has a new push bar mount that is even LOWER to

the ground so you don't have to notch the air dam.

Pretty stupid if you ask me....Only 4 inches from the ground now !!!!

 

Man, those Blizzard plows are NICE with the built in power "wings"

[GlennRMK]

I am at 38 and 3/8" in the back

 

I am at 36 and 1/4 in the front

 

Stock 04 Z71 Sierra extended cab

 

I need to crank up on the torsion bars.