Figuring out ride height

[panhandler62]

I am trying to figure out exactly where I am and how to get where I am going.

The back is turning out just right. I have the truck sitting where I want it on the stands now. The rear is slightly lower than ride height (maybe an inch or so) but not dumped here.

To get the front right here with these wheels (30" overall height) I need to have the hub cented at 16". This height puts the top of the spring pocket just about right htere. My front spindles have a 3" drop built into them and I have the stock front 3/4 ton springs.

I need to figure out how much to trim on the springs to get to this height. Does anyone have a cheat sheet on the compressed height of these springs?

Here is what the truck looked like when I started:


Here is the stance I am after:

[72GREENC10]

i think 1/2 spring is 1 inch, dont cut the back springs, only the front. for the back, i recommend spending a little money and doing a simple bag setup

[kev2809]

his rear is already bagged..

are the spring rates diff. between 3/4 ton and 1/2 ton?

[Hottrucks]

why are you playi g around....you have read and done enough homework to know there is NO SET ANSWER...you know how worn are your springs...bla bla bla....

you have it apart ....make your own top plate ....the lower cups are everywhere cheap..I even have a set if you need them...Buy a couple bags stick them in and put a scrader vavle on them till you set up you air system you'll have $100 MAX in it

ok Hand slapping is done..Cut 1 loop off it ..if you dont like it then see above and remember I said I told you so...LOL...dont work jard work smart

Jeff

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Hottrucks

why are you playi g around....you have read and done enough homework to know there is NO SET ANSWER...you know how worn are your springs...bla bla bla....

you have it apart ....make your own top plate ....the lower cups are everywhere cheap..I even have a set if you need them...Buy a couple bags stick them in and put a scrader vavle on them till you set up you air system you'll have $100 MAX in it

ok Hand slapping is done..Cut 1 loop off it ..if you dont like it then see above and remember I said I told you so...LOL...dont work jard work smart

Jeff

He's not interested in bags for the front.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by panhandler62

I am trying to figure out exactly where I am and how to get where I am going.

The back is turning out just right. I have the truck sitting where I want it on the stands now. The rear is slightly lower than ride height (maybe an inch or so) but not dumped here.

To get the front right here with these wheels (30" overall height) I need to have the hub cented at 16". This height puts the top of the spring pocket just about right htere. My front spindles have a 3" drop built into them and I have the stock front 3/4 ton springs.

I need to figure out how much to trim on the springs to get to this height. Does anyone have a cheat sheet on the compressed height of these springs?

Keith,

Don't do anything until it's put together. Install the springs 'as is' w/the drop spindles, & go from there. It won't take an act of congress to take measurements & then remove them for trimming if necessary. You'll also have a much better idea of how much to remove to achieve the drop you want. Anything else is just guessing.

[72GREENC10]

haha, guessing is not a good idea, i kept guessing on my truck for the springs, and it rode crooked, then eventually i decided to get a new pair, drop spindles and drop springs are the way to go

[Hottrucks]

well looking at the height of the X memeber from the ground your going to find that your LCA is amost against the X memeber..just say'n mine is about the same thing... you may want to mock up the LCA and spindle

[panhandler62]

hmmm...

I'll try something a bit more precise tomorrow, but it does look like I'm not going to get it quite that low without dumping a whole lot more into it that I have budgeted.

[SCOTI]

What are the distances between the framerail & the ground as measured under the front radiator core mount & the front cab mount?

[panhandler62]

It's 9" from the bottom of the frame rail at the forward cab mount and 11" at the core mount.

[panhandler62]

OK, it looks like this is about it with this size tire. I can gain a couple inches with lower profile tires for the back (and I think I will ... lol) but I don't want to limit suspension travel any more than I have here. As it is -- those bump stops will have to go in favor of lower profile units.

It looks like it will sit pretty close to level on these tires with the back end aired up.

The total height in the spring pockets is 10". The uncompressed height of the springs is 13" so I will put them back in as is to do a reality check but suspect that I will want one full round taken out to get here.

[SCOTI]

That gap between the a-arm & c.member looks about like where 1-coil cut would sit (key word 'looks').

[panhandler62]

That sounds like the place to start then. I'll loose 1 coil, remove the bump stop stands and put in smaller bump stops and go with a lower profile front tire. If I go with a 225/50R16 on the front that gets me 2 1/2" lower overall.

That should put me close enough.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by panhandler62

That sounds like the place to start then. I'll loose 1 coil, remove the bump stop stands and put in smaller bump stops and go with a lower profile front tire. If I go with a 225/50R16 on the front that gets me 2 1/2" lower overall.

That should put me close enough.

What size are those front tires now? For what it's worth, 225-50's will be too short IMHO....

[panhandler62]

The tires are all 245/75" now.

I'm going to see where I'm at before I change tires. My total tire height now is 30". I will want to stay there in back (may get a larger 60 aspect tire for the ack to plump it up a bit though...) and may want a somewhat shorter tire in front.

I'll re-visit that when it is re-assembled. Just spitballing now... lol

[Hottrucks]

"looks" like you'll be fine with that...try a 235/70 tire thats about 28 1/2" tall for the front

heres a tire calculator to help you out

http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/infoTireMath.dos

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by panhandler62

The tires are all 245/75" now.

I'm going to see where I'm at before I change tires. My total tire height now is 30". I will want to stay there in back (may get a larger 60 aspect tire for the ack to plump it up a bit though...) and may want a somewhat shorter tire in front.

I'll re-visit that when it is re-assembled. Just spitballing now... lol

Ok.... now were talking. I like it when guys consider options.

Steel 16" wheels.
285-60-16's in back on a 10" wheel. Almost 30" tall & porky on the 10" wheel. 225-65 or 225-70's in front on 16x7's. Those will be about 27.5-28" tall.