suspension

[Tech59]

I have done some searching and I still can not deceide on what to do with my suspension. I was planning on coilovers frt and rear with some fiberglass leafsprings. Bigger sway bars (not sure what company to use hotchkis, belltech), probally some polygraphite bushings. I would also like to know if a zq8 steering box from a newer xtreme would work easily on our trucks. I would appreciate if anybody could give me some feedback on their setups and some direction before I waste my money on crap parts.

Thanks.

 

[Black Knight]

Re: suspension

All the stuff you have listed will make a big improvement in the way you truck handles. Yes a ZQ8 box will work in our trucks. Depending on milage and condition you might look into a steering shaft. Mike at RPM has a hell of a buy going right now on the Belltech sway bars, so if your interested I would jump on it.

 

[Tech59]

Re: suspension

black knight which coilover setup do you think is the best. Also i plan on headers and turbo etc. in the near future. Can I use a stock replacement steering shaft or is there one you would recemmond over another. I am not trying to be a pain in the ass I just want to make sure I have a proper build that will be effective.

 

[Black Knight]

Re: suspension

As far as I know, unless others are making them again, RPM is the only one with a coilover setup available. When I say coilover though I'm generalizing tubular A-arms with that also. There's a couple posts on here about coilovers with stock A-arms which just requires a QA1 coilover shock and spring that alot of vendors sell.

In seems lately alot of us are going away from the stock replacement steering shafts (due to the rag joint design in them) and going to either the Jeep style that some guys sell here used or a new Borgeson.

Unless you want headers for the look, there's probably no need (depending on your build) and your money would be better spend else where. Who am I to say though I put headers on a almost stock truck just because they look badazz :rotf:

 

[allwheeldriven]

Re: suspension

I have RPM coilovers front and rear, Belltech leafs springs and front, rear sway bars as well as the ZQ8 steering box and upgraded shaft.
it is a MAJOR improvement over the stock set-up..


If you are thinking of getting the sway bars you should jump in on the group buy from RPM for them while you can. RPM is probably one of the coolest vendors you are likely to ever come across, thier customer service is second to none.

If you do go ahead with the coilover conversion I recommend you also buy
1. upper/lower balljoints
2. tie rods and tie rod sleeves
3.Thrust bearings for adjusting the coilovers

All will make the install of the front coilover easier

FWIW,
I replaced most of my suspension with new parts while I was at it.

Brake kits front and rear
Axles
Hubs/bearings
tie rods/sleeves
balljoints
all of the bushings besides the body mounts
bump stops
pitman and idle arm

I'm sure there was more that I can't remember right now but, I have done nothing that I have felt was a waste of effort or money....it was all good :lol:

 

[mortgageman]

Re: suspension

I'm in the process of installing my RPM coilover kit right now. I'm very impressed with the quality of the components. I have a little concern about the overall strenghth of the suspension, particularly the shock towers and the lower mounting point on the new control arm. In the original configuration, the torsion bars support the weight of the truck. with the coil-overs all the weight is carried at each end of the shock absorber. Does anyone else have this concern? I'm considering welding some gussets into the shock tower, but in the end, the weakest point appears to be where the bottom of the shock bolts to the lower, tubular control arm. I'm assuming that RPM wouldn't be selling such a well crafted suspension kit without putting some engineering into their design. I'm looking for feedback from anyone who has already installed and driven their trucks with the RPM kit. Last year, I changed the ball joints, swapped in the ZQ8 steering box and the steering shaft from a jeep. These are all great improvements to the suspension and steering. The Jeep shaft was cheap (salvage yard) and just had to be shorted about 8 inches.

 

[dutchty]

Re: suspension

Did it ALL THE WAY on the suspension, brakes, steering, etc. complete front is new.
complete new set up with th RPM coiloverkit.
there are some minor things with installing it but when you are a bit technical it won't be such a problem.
about the strength of the towers, when they are to much rusted on yours try to weld new ones on it or just try it with s stock setup.
The lower mounting point for the shocks is no problem at all.

there is also another kit deliverable who eliminates the stock torsionbars and and replaces the stock shocks with coilovers.

if you want to look how far I went just go to my garage or public profile to see the pics
http://www.syty.net/forums/album.php?albumid=9
I also got a complete file with allmost all part numbers/vendors on it, needed for the build