Looking for the best PRACTICAL suspension set up for a c1500 work truck

[Brothajack93]

Not that I'm condoning what you are planning, but here's my 2centa worth, not that we have pennies up here anymore! Lol
If you can't find a stronger rear axle like mentioned above, a fresh set of springs and some helper air bags may help you reach your goals. And definitely with a 305 you should consider changing gear ratio to at least a 3:73 or lower.
But as you mentioned, it's a quarter century old truck and does have limitations.

I think I found one at a shop in Calgary but the guy who answered the phone was a complete ass and just hung up on me. Shop never responded to emails or anything. Probably the Ontario number. I’m used to that from when I lived out there though. Was going to have my brother pick it up and drive out there to do the swap but I’m getting nothing back from that shop

 

[Brothajack93]

Best practical suspension? Stock. And stay within it's limits.

Says the guy who’s pic is a slammed truck. How bout you stick to your builds and let the truck guys do truck things

 

[618 Syndicate]

Says the guy who’s pic is a slammed truck. How bout you stick to your builds and let the truck guys do truck things

You're new here huh? And to life evidently. Dumbass.
My truck will haul or tow far more than yours, it's bagged not slammed, and it's not as if it's the only truck I've owned, or currently own.
Truck guy? You own the weakest, smallest full size V8 truck that it was possible to buy, but you wanna talk s h i t. GTFOH

 

[AuroraGirl]

You're new here huh? And to life evidently. Dumbass.
My truck will haul or tow far more than yours, it's bagged not slammed, and it's not as if it's the only truck I've owned, or currently own.
Truck guy? You own the weakest, smallest full size V8 truck that it was possible to buy, but you wanna talk s h i t. GTFOH

boys, boys, I more than anyone here loves to whip out the 8foot level and the SAE only 10th scale tape measure and anecdote of using "trucks for their intended purpose"!

But we shouldnt fight eachother, or well you two fight eachother, but instead we can respect that some people are wrong in how they use their truck and also not feel the need to be an uptight ******* about it.

See what I did there? I both invalidated the victim and talked down to the agressor, thats exactly how public school taught me to handle lifes problems and by god if its not working right now!!!


[joking aside. there is a truth in what I say.

I dont like trucks like syndicate has. but ive never once been mean/rude to him or sat there and dished it out for the sake of ego-stroking because I am not him and I dont own anything like his truck for that reason that I dont like that

Just, one doesnt need to be a genius to understand that there are different strokes for different folks and you have to also hate it when people try and tell you your interests are wrong/suck, so why do that to anyone else?

now, we dont have to like this but you also can get trounced, nerd, if you wanna piss and moan about it


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Now, since I think I made a good point, I will now take the opportunity to share the good news. Ever hear of the god's gift to humanity known as the Inline 6?

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Ya know, My f150 albeit is a ford but it does have an inline 6, and neither of yall had one. and thats the extent of my personality, so you must be quite jealous right now.

Six in a row ready to tow

Eight in a V your old lady is coming home with me

 

[AuroraGirl]

To be honest though, it sounds like you need a 2500/3500 instead of dumping time and money into the smallest gmt400 they made lol.

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so I figured id post some credentials here: above is my gmt 400 a 96 c1500 with a trans cooler(towing package?) and vortec 5.7 and 4l60e.
my dad is the one who uses it, quite heavily, and frankly wish hed lighten up on it a bit LOL. But anyway you see the rack with the baskets, you see the toolboxes down each side by chance? THey are all metal, ones from am Ford Contractor special they are heavy and full of heavy tools. high quality boxes but hard to find, also maybe not the toolbox you need but showing the potential here not the vision I think you should have.

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He also usually just had the remainder filled with anything and everything concrete and handy man so a barrel full of concrete pins? Yes sir
Concrete saw? Yes sir
Chains? yes sir.

The point is its a lot of **** LOL! definitely squatted it could help a lot with better leafs and probably overload+HD shocks etc

 

[GMCTruck]

If your stock rear springs are in good shape but you want a little more carrying capacity/stability, Hellwig helper springs might be an option. I have no personal experience with them but I have seen several trucks with them.

 

[boy&hisdogs]

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so I figured id post some credentials here: above is my gmt 400 a 96 c1500 with a trans cooler(towing package?) and vortec 5.7 and 4l60e.
my dad is the one who uses it, quite heavily, and frankly wish hed lighten up on it a bit LOL. But anyway you see the rack with the baskets, you see the toolboxes down each side by chance? THey are all metal, ones from am Ford Contractor special they are heavy and full of heavy tools. high quality boxes but hard to find, also maybe not the toolbox you need but showing the potential here not the vision I think you should have.

You must be registered for see images attach

He also usually just had the remainder filled with anything and everything concrete and handy man so a barrel full of concrete pins? Yes sir
Concrete saw? Yes sir
Chains? yes sir.

The point is its a lot of **** LOL! definitely squatted it could help a lot with better leafs and probably overload+HD shocks etc

1500s absolutely can work hard, mine has towed its max weight in dirt and pavers and concrete etc many times. But OP is talking about spending thousands to upgrade a 1500 (with a 305 even) to do what a 2500/3500 is made for from the beginning. And then knowingly and intentionally overload it.

It would be cheaper and better to just sell it and buy a truck made for what he wants.

 

[Caman96]

14 bolt 9.5 C/K 2500’s and 1500’s(F44)are much more common in Canada than US.

 

[HotWheelsBurban]

Y'all have rougher roads and way more need for heavy duty stuff, and I imagine lots more 4x4s.....

 

[Caman96]

Y'all have rougher roads and way more need for heavy duty stuff, and I imagine lots more 4x4s.....

Arguably, yes they just might. But up here, just outside of Boston, in the spring after frost heaves have had their way, we get some real wheel benders. F44 should’ve been standard issue.