Suspension question

[tommy217xxx]

I have a 76 gmc 1500 that rides like a tank. It has a flip kit in the rear and drop spindles and lowing springs in the front. The shockers were never changed. They have about 4" of travel. The rears are almost 45 degrees from vertical. The truck also has 6 leafs per side in the rear. This is how the truck was when I bought it.

I'm working on the truck now and it's time to change the suspension around. I know I want to change the shocks. I'm gonna get shock extenders and new leafs for the truck. I'm lookin for a smooth ride and the only thing I'm hauling is ass around town.

I've done a search but I'm lookin to the most current setup. What should I get? Should I get my leafs from local auto parts or order from summit. What extenders should I get? Do I need to extend both front and back? Any recommendations would be great.

[tinydb84]

I would get the shock extenders and just pull the two bottom leafs. That should soften up the ride and have enough spring to control axle wrap and what not.

I don't know of any local auto parts stores that carry leaf springs. You could get some custom made a spring shop if you really want them tailored to your ride.

[Shady Rascal]

It shouldn't ride like a tank. You have removed all four bump stops haven't you ?

My truck has the same setup as yours. Drop spindles and springs in the front with a flip kit and no shock extenders in the back. It truly rides stock.

[tommy217xxx]

I didn't remove the bump stops. I'll post some pics of my suspension in a few min.

[Shady Rascal]

There's your bad ride problem right there. Just pry the rubber bumpers out of the brackets front and rear. You'll be pleased after that.

[SkinnyG]

I would keep the front bumpstops in. Not hitting the inner fender on bumps with the front is a good think.

But axe the back bumpstops. You will be a believer.

[tommy217xxx]

im no suspension expert but im pretty sure the fronts wont ride like stock. Theres no travel. The rears have a little more travel but not by much. also shouldnt the angle of the rear shocks be as close to vertical as possible?

[tommy217xxx]

Originally Posted by tinydb84

I would get the shock extenders and just pull the two bottom leafs. That should soften up the ride and have enough spring to control axle wrap and what not.

I don't know of any local auto parts stores that carry leaf springs. You could get some custom made a spring shop if you really want them tailored to your ride.

Tiny, When u say the bottom 2, do u mean the smallest ones? Is this gonna affect the ride height?

[bbbc10]

get shocks front and rear and pair of rear shock extenders

[SkinnyG]

Did you drive it previously? They do tend to ride..... like a truck.

You actually have decent travel there, even up front.

Shocks are more effective the closer to vertical they are. These were engineered with some angle. Lowering them adds more angle. And more steeply angled shock should ride ~softer~, because it is less effective.

My leaf packs have 8 leaves in them. It's very... truck like. Mind you, I have not driven a tank.

[tinydb84]

Originally Posted by tommy217xxx

Tiny, When u say the bottom 2, do u mean the smallest ones? Is this gonna affect the ride height?

Yep. The shorter ones have the higher spring rate. Since you already did the flip kit it shouldnt have much effect on your ride height.

I had 8-9 leafs in my C20. I pulled 4 (I think) and it dramatically improved the ride.

[N2TRUX]

If it were me I would buy shock extenders for the rear and add Belltech Street Performance Shocks all around. I would add those before making any other changes.

They can be bought from Summit with free shipping. LINK

[tommy217xxx]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

If it were me I would buy shock extenders for the rear and add Belltech Street Performance Shocks all around. I would add those before making any other changes.

They can be bought from Summit with free shipping. LINK

I'm gonna order the shocks and extenders but not sure what extenders to get. Any recommendations?

[bbbc10]

western chassis

[bbbc10]

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ws...10?prefilter=1

[tommy217xxx]

Do I use the same shocks all the way around?

[bbbc10]

no get belltech lowering shocks for the amount it is lowered

[midnight rambler]

On my 74 I put shock extenders on the rear with monroe air shocks. The front i put some shock extenders from pro performance with gas kyb shocks. I wouldnt use lowering shocks, i want shock travel, just my opinion.

[tommy217xxx]

I got western chassis shock extenders and the bell tech shocks in the link.

[midnight rambler]

What are your plans for the front?

[tommy217xxx]

Gonna change the shocks out for the bell tech shocks in the link. I ordered 4

[bbbc10]

The ones in the link are for the front only...did u get rears also?

[tommy217xxx]

Nope. I had a brain fart. I'm gonna have to send them back and get rears.

[tommy217xxx]

I thought I remember hearing that u could use fronts in the rear. Are rear shocks longer?

[SkinnyG]

You can use 4WD fronts in the rear. They are shorter than 2wd rears, and you wouldn't need the extenders. I am running a set ~with~ extenders.