Sagging Springs

[Melvang]

I have an 89 C1500 RCSB and obviously it has front coils and read leaves. I am planning on replacing all the shocks, springs, front control arms, etc with a 2/4 drop.

I was taking some measurements and doing a 2/4 drop, the top of the opening of the rear fenders will still be an inch higher and was wondering if the coils or the leaves typically sag more. If it makes a difference it is a v6 5 speed.

 

[Nad_Yvalhosert]

What is a read gender?

Sagging springs are mostly caused by overloading, or excess spring oscillation from miles and miles of driving on worn out shocks.

I'd imagine a V6 truck either had a hard life as a contractor's work truck, or the easy life as a pampered garage queen.

So you tell me which end of the truck is lower than OE ride height on your truck. I can't see it over the internets.

 

[Melvang]

What is a read gender?

Sagging springs are mostly caused by overloading, or excess spring oscillation from miles and miles of driving on worn out shocks.

I'd imagine a V6 truck either had a hard life as a contractor's work truck, or the easy life as a pampered garage queen.

So you tell me which end of the truck is lower than OE ride height on your truck. I can't see it over the internets.

That was supposed to be rear fenders, my phone gets weird with auto-correct sometimes as I don't use the stick Android keyboard.

But it is a W/T based on the grille, but has the step side and the "Sport" graphics package. As well as had the wheels swapped to some Weld Racing mags with staggered tire sizes. I bought it from my father in law a couple months ago, who got it from his father in law when he passed about 10 years ago. I am guessing the truck has at most 135,000 miles. But wasn't a work truck, nor was it a garage queen.

Picture is as it sits right now with 235/75 and 295/60 tires on 15" wheels.

 

[DerekTheGreat]

Oh wow, I love that as is. Can't hop curbs with it lowered.

 

[someotherguy]

Oh wow, I love that as is. Can't hop curbs with it lowered.

Sure you can. In my case I just gotta be careful not to tear off the mudflaps if I back over the curb. and not high-center the driveshaft on any mounds of dirt/gravel.

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OP - these trucks don't sit dead level to begin with, front to rear they usually have some forward rake (SUV's excepted as they're pretty close to level.) They also often don't sit level side to side, which isn't normally very apparent until you start lowering them and the fender to tire gap decreases so any difference becomes more obvious. Just a heads up.

Richard

 

[Melvang]

Sure you can. In my case I just gotta be careful not to tear off the mudflaps if I back over the curb. and not high-center the driveshaft on any mounds of dirt/gravel.

You must be registered for see images attach

OP - these trucks don't sit dead level to begin with, front to rear they usually have some forward rake (SUV's excepted as they're pretty close to level.) They also often don't sit level side to side, which isn't normally very apparent until you start lowering them and the fender to tire gap decreases so any difference becomes more obvious. Just a heads up.

Richard

The not sitting level side to side is one reason I want to change all the springs as well as shocks.

 

[someotherguy]

The not sitting level side to side is one reason I want to change all the springs as well as shocks.

Yeah.. a lot of people call it the "Chevy lean" but really any truck can have lean to it. It's not a uniquely Chevy thing, IMO. Just warning you that you can replace all that stuff and it still may not sit level as you expect.

Richard

 

[Melvang]

Yeah.. a lot of people call it the "Chevy lean" but really any truck can have lean to it. It's not a uniquely Chevy thing, IMO. Just warning you that you can replace all that stuff and it still may not sit level as you expect.

Richard

If it still doesn't really sit level with new shocks and springs, is there any decent did for that? Possibly adjustable coilovers?

The truck is going to be getting built as a muscle truck style build. Planning a 383 with a Tremec 6 speed.

 

[Orpedcrow]

A couple things to note: these trucks are likely to sit a tad lower in the drivers side for two reasons. First being that more time is usually spent with a single person in the cab. The second is the fuel tank being located on the drivers side. There is a significant weight difference between a full and empty tank.

V6 springs are a different part number and a lighter weight because the V6 weighs less, MOST aftermarket springs are made for the V8 so you might not get as much drop in the front initially while the V6 is still in there.

Adjustable coil overs are available. It’s going to be up to you to decide if the investment is worthwhile based on you’re wanted outcome.

There is also air suspension with height sensors for auto leveling. Again it’s
going to be up to you to decide if the investment is worthwhile based on you’re wanted outcome.

It’s usually recommended to take vehicle measurements with a half tank of fuel but the FSM should have all that information in it. They are available in a pinned thread if you haven’t found them already.

Your truck doesn’t look saggy to me based on the picture you shared.

 

[DerekTheGreat]

Can confirm, my truck leans, but the opposite way. Said I was going to do something about it, it's been seven or eight years now.