Stock Suspension Opinions Please
Here's the install video by Lucky8.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pkz0NTMFeYY
I am also in the market for a kit, but how exactly do you take out the shock towers on the front passenger side when the coolant expansion tank is in the way? Do you drain and remove the tank?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pkz0NTMFeYY
I am also in the market for a kit, but how exactly do you take out the shock towers on the front passenger side when the coolant expansion tank is in the way? Do you drain and remove the tank?
Well, I took some measurements and found that the truck has settled a good 2 inches all around. I was briefly thinking about selling the truck so used springs were tempting, but I decided against it. I talked to Justin at Lucky8 and he was very helpful, he also does have the best prices (even with Atlantic British right down the road from me) and the best stuff. By the way, I talked to a guy at AB and he advised against the Supergaz over the OME shocks, especially if going off road. The saving is just not that much over OME.
So I've settled on 2" OME from Lucky8 (which is more like 1.5 - 1.75" of lift over stock I'm told). I couldn't see putting all new coils on and not lifting it just a little. I've taken the front broken coil and shock off along with the rear shocks so far (which were VERY easy to disassemble).
I'm not so sure I need new shocks though. How do you tell??? I've never noticed any real driving issues and now that I've taken them off they look and feel pretty solid. They compress fairly easily and smoothly (I think the compression stroke should have little resistance, yes/no?) and they take a lot of muscle to extend. The mounting bolts came off easily and had a lot of anti-seize on them so I'm wondering if they were replaced pretty recently. Stock shocks should be okay with a 2" lift right?
So I've settled on 2" OME from Lucky8 (which is more like 1.5 - 1.75" of lift over stock I'm told). I couldn't see putting all new coils on and not lifting it just a little. I've taken the front broken coil and shock off along with the rear shocks so far (which were VERY easy to disassemble).
I'm not so sure I need new shocks though. How do you tell??? I've never noticed any real driving issues and now that I've taken them off they look and feel pretty solid. They compress fairly easily and smoothly (I think the compression stroke should have little resistance, yes/no?) and they take a lot of muscle to extend. The mounting bolts came off easily and had a lot of anti-seize on them so I'm wondering if they were replaced pretty recently. Stock shocks should be okay with a 2" lift right?
FYI, on my '01, the front left spring broke as well...maybe a bad batch? Mine was at 55K miles when I noticed it. I replaced the front 2 springs with OEM parts.
JKID.... you mentioned "Well, I took some measurements and found that the truck has settled a good 2 inches all around. "
Out of curiosity, what were your measurements? I put on medium duty OME springs on the front with Bilsteins, and the front looks too high...
I went from 32 inches at the center arch of the front wheel well to 34.... what are you at right now?
Out of curiosity, what were your measurements? I put on medium duty OME springs on the front with Bilsteins, and the front looks too high...
I went from 32 inches at the center arch of the front wheel well to 34.... what are you at right now?
I think that they did have a bad batch of springs or something, wierd they are all driver's front springs.
I had 32" up front and about 32.75" in the rear from wheel well to the ground (255/65 R16 tires). The only factory spec that they give us is from the top of the roof rack as well as the highest point of the roof to the ground (78" and 76.5" respectively). My measurements were 75.5" and 74".
I had 32" up front and about 32.75" in the rear from wheel well to the ground (255/65 R16 tires). The only factory spec that they give us is from the top of the roof rack as well as the highest point of the roof to the ground (78" and 76.5" respectively). My measurements were 75.5" and 74".
Do the shocks too. If you have to put all of your weight on them to barely compress them, they are done. If you can compress them by hand, throw them away. You will see what I mean when you get new ones.
I wasn't sure about mine, but got a good deal for stock springs and Bilstein shocks. Night and day difference. Made putting them back on a little tricky...
I wasn't sure about mine, but got a good deal for stock springs and Bilstein shocks. Night and day difference. Made putting them back on a little tricky...


