coil overs vs shocks and shorter coils

[chris mc bride]

Hiow much difference in street driven truck would you actually see if going coil over vs adjustable shock with shorter coil springs to lower truck 4 to 5" in rear?

Not going to road race this thing just fun twisty roads play. like to have firm ride but not kidney killing ride.
Well there big big difference in handling in street driven truck and yes will be aggressive driven until day i sale it, Body is 59 not my right foot it still has 21 yo controller.LOL

[scottofksu]

As I understand it, NASCAR did not run coil overs until after the 2022 Next Gen redesign. Prior to that, they ran nearly the same suspension as is stock to most C10s from 60 - 72. While I cannot answer your specific question and it is a given that NASCAR cars have other tricks they use for handling (e.g., sticky tires, aero packages); I would think that the original suspension could be made more than adequate for what you are after.

[chris mc bride]

So. Would a dropped rear suspension dropped 4" using shorter coils and adjustable shock be close to performance of coil overs in same 4" drop? Understanding hard to be a swear by answer without lot more info and some of which still working on. More question of coil spring's in 4" lowered suspension ride and handling.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

In my opinion.

While I feel sometimes feel coil overs are just easier to install vs coil springs and shocks. Especially when you're going for a deep drop.

Often times when adjusted right. You can feel them even at lower speeds cruising around corners. Plus they get better the faster you go. Like highway speeds. The more "Sporty" you want the truck to feel. The greater the results. Rather perceived or real.

I prefer to use the longest reasonable version I can make work. This keeps the shock in its more ideal sweep of the shaft.

If you do coil overs. I highly recommend helper air bags if you haul or tow with your truck at capacity. This allows the coil over spring to be optimized for DD, and still have plenty in the tank for work time.

Rather or not it's worth it to you. Is a conversation between you, your wallet, and your abuser. I mean wife. Loving wife.

[bnorth]

Coilovers are going to perform a lot better and have a lot more adjustability. That said I have never owned/driven a vehicle with coilovers that I would want to daily drive, the ride has always been too harsh and aggressive.
In your case I would spend some time researching spring rates of available lowering springs and quality shocks and just use those.

[chris mc bride]

Guess it is good thing I am building shock mounts that will allow swap to coil overs if desire hits. Right now may just go lowering springs and good shocks. If decide to swap later and always us shock on buggy I have.

I am in noway expecting to get this tank to handle like my 96 Z/28 with ton of suspension upgrades and twice that in engine. Just want iot to be very good handling when the urge to carve up country roads.LOL

[SCOTI]

4-5 inch rear drops on a T/A suspension set-up don't need coil-overs.... They do need shock set-up improvement. A good quality drop spring & shock gets the job done.

Relocating the shocks gets the best results/performance from the $ spent on the shocks. Move them to the back/end of the T/A & mount them outboard of the frame rail.

[chris mc bride]

The brackets I have for relocating shock allows me to mount shock to inside or out side of trailing arm. out side of frame. Both 1" behind trailing arm in double shear. Top mounts can be flipped 1" below to 1" above center of frame. Almost straight up and down and zero to very slight angle depending on inside or out side of trailing arm.

My starting position is going to be outside of trailing arm With top bottom below center. With two inch drop springs . When can afford drop spindles to drop front another 2" I can flip bracket and buy another set of rear springs to go with front drop while using same shock.s. When make front shock new mounts will have them so can flip and make two inch change with shock at same length.

Trying to eliminate the spend twice side of not waiting till can do all. That waiting thing not onew of my virtues .

Working on adjustable trailing arm mount now. Along with plates to add to crossmember for exhaust pass thru and reenfore crossmember when cut that much out of it.This fabrication thing saves money I guess but man takes lot of time. Hell better than sitting on butt watching Newsmax.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by chris mc bride

The brackets I have for relocating shock allows me to mount shock to inside or out side of trailing arm. out side of frame. Both 1" behind trailing arm in double shear. Top mounts can be flipped 1" below to 1" above center of frame. Almost straight up and down and zero to very slight angle depending on inside or out side of trailing arm.

My starting position is going to be outside of trailing arm With top bottom below center. With two inch drop springs . When can afford drop spindles to drop front another 2" I can flip bracket and buy another set of rear springs to go with front drop while using same shock.s. When make front shock new mounts will have them so can flip and make two inch change with shock at same length.

Trying to eliminate the spend twice side of not waiting till can do all. That waiting thing not onew of my virtues .

Working on adjustable trailing arm mount now. Along with plates to add to crossmember for exhaust pass thru and reenfore crossmember when cut that much out of it.This fabrication thing saves money I guess but man takes lot of time. Hell better than sitting on butt watching Newsmax.

If the only change is a stock to drop spindle, shock travel is not affected (similar to using lowering blocks for the rear T/A's). Shorter springs = change in travel range.

[chris mc bride]

Doing springs now for front and spindles later, Cutting springs cheap. Rear springs are fairly cheap to change out. PIA but cheap. For now doing springs front and rear. Also mover a-arms front along with moving shocks all 4 corners.

Trying to finish body work repairs at same time. Lots cash out very little coming back in. Working I can do, well most days if heat not 90* with butt load humidity.