Experienced Opinions Needed

[72longbed]

Just finished the ECE 2/4 drop on the C-20 with springs this weekend. The truck rides really nice and smooth and handles much better with a lower center of gravity. I noticed a couple of things right away though.
#1. My rear is now pushed over to the passanger side almost a full inch.

#2. The stock panhard bar is now level at ride height.

My questions are: Do I need to re-establish a downhill angle to the bar at ride height? Can I just get the adjustable panhard bar and pull it over that way in the stock location? Yes it will still be flat in the stock mounting locations, is that OK? Or do I need to buy the bar that mounts to the passenger lower shock mount location to re-establish a downhill angle?

Any knowledgable opinions would be appreciated. Thanks.

72longbed

[GMC69]

Well I just bought 4" drop coils and an adjustable panhard bar. I was just going to make sure that the rear is centered under the truck and not worry if the bar was straighter than before. I know that it should have an angle to it, but I think keeping it centered is more important.

[Hotrod70C10]

IMO you should go with a super track bar kit. I went with the adjustable bar and now i'm going to replace it to go lower. Chances are you will decide you want to go lower in the future. I know I said that I would never lower a truck but now i'm wanting to put bags in the rear of mine....

[cped]

I used the ECE airbag kit which included new upper shock mounts to correct position, adjustbale panhard and new panhard bracket. The panhard is much longer. It mounts in the stock frame bracket and travels at a downward angle to the new mount at the right side lower shock/axle bracket.

I don't know crap about suspension geometry but I believe that the shocks and panhard are relocated to correct rear suspension geometry so as to maintain axle location under the vehicle and suspension travel characteristics, as well as maintain quality of ride and trackability over the roadway.

Let me know if you want some pictures and I will snap a few this weekend.

[Hotrod70C10]

Originally posted by cped
Let me know if you want some pictures and I will snap a few this weekend.

I'd like to see that bad setup..... Would you mind taking on aired out and one aired up all the way? I've been looking into bagging the rear of my truck also.

[Truckhead]

Make sure you get the right track bar for the right drop. ECE sells a trackbar made to fit the stock location just for the 4 inch drop. The trackbar kit moves the rearend mounting point from the differential to the pass side swingarm u-bolt area, hence using a longer bar. Just some info to help.

[72longbed]

Truckhead,
I asked about that Super TRac Bar kit when I bought all my suspension parts from ECE. They said it was NOT designed for a 4" drop like mine and only for a 5" or more.?.?.?

So I went ahead and ordered the adjustable trac bar from CCP last week based on the feed back from other members. Thank you all for your help, I really do appreciate it!!!

72

[sactoC10]

And some of us would like to see pics of a completed set-up, like me... At least a link to a site where the pictures may be posted. Thanks, I am learning too.

[cped]

Here are some quick pictures of the ECE air ride setup. Let me know if you need to see more or if you have any questions.
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[72longbed]

cped,

Thanks for the great pics! Hows the ride at say, level with the front height?

72

[cped]

If set to where it is level with the front it isn't too bad...depending on the road conditions. Tends to be somewhat bouncy and an occasional jar due to contact with the bumpstop. If I were to change the bump stops to allow a little more travel it would probably be a lot better. C-Notch would probably help a lot too.

Right now with all air out and sitting on the bumpstop it sits lower in the rear than it does up front. I think ECE said that with the bags its more like a 7" drop in back with all air out.

I am working on getting the front bagged and then I want to put each bag on its own separate valve to eliminate the air transfer back and forth. This should really help with handling and load carrying.

[72longbed]

Chad,
Would you say the ride is smoother than new, stock 1/2 ton coils or rougher? When the bump stops don't get in the way, that is.

72

[cped]

Its like riding on air...

Can't really say how it compares to new coils and shocks. It is a lot smoother than when I bought the truck (at stock height). For as much of a drop 4/~6 the truck itself is really smooth riding, not bouncy or rough at all. Best part is I can haul a load of beauty bark and still maintain ride height and quality. That is what I was after!!!!

[72longbed]

Chad,
I noticed you have a 4" drop in the front. Did you do this with springs alone or spindles also? I just did a 2" front coil drop on my C-20 and have to modify the bump stops because theres only about three quarters of an inch before they contact the lower control arms at ride height. Is there a way I can get more travel out of my front suspension without having to buy drop spindles?

72

[cped]

I don't know of anyway to get more travel other than with dropped spindles or dropped A-Arms. You can probably change out the stock rubber bumpstop with a smaller Prothane polyurethane bumpstop and get a little more travel.

[72longbed]

Cped,
How difficult was it to bolt that upper bag mounting plate in the area thats occupied by the crossmember/ frame mount?? Can you get a wrench in there? IF so, is it a PIA to attach the air hose to it? I'm trying to figure it out in advance because I'm real close to ordering some rear bags. Thanks for you help.

72

[cped]

Well, if I remember correctly it wasn't too bad. The ECE bags use a single stud to mount at the top and a single bolt in the bottom. The top stud uses a 1" nut (I believe). I think I was able to get a ratchet on it. The air fitting is a 90 degree and screws into the mounting stud on top. Hand tight and the a couple of turns witht he hand wrench got it tight. Not too difficult. I like the ECE bags for the simple fact they are a bolt in replacement for the factory coils. No fabricating upper and lower brackets for the bags. They work SLICK.

Let me know if you have anymore questions or if you need anymore pictures.

Regards,
Chad