Suspension improvement without the lift

[mattgos]

I have spent the last week researching the best way to improve the suspension of my truck. I have read up on Kore, Carli, Lorenz, Thuren and understand I can radically improve the suspension by dropping some coin on a complete suspension system.



I use my truck for mostly un-loaded highway miles with the occasional off-road excursion and run my tires at about 50psi in front and 35psi in back (unloaded). When I tow it is a TT which weighs less than 10k and tires get pummped to 80psi.



I understand to get the most comfortable ride, you need to go with progressive/multi/infinite rate springs on the front and go with mini-packs in the rear (ignoring air suspension for now). I also know that these all increase the front ride height about 3" (which makes complete sense since more travel is expected). I really like the stock ride height of the truck and am happy with my tire size (I also like my mpg).



In short, I am looking for the best suspension improvement without increasing the ride height. What are my options? Does anybody make non-lifted progressive coils (other than custom)? This is what I am thinking if not:



Keep stock coils in front, replace rear leafs with mini's from Lorenz or Carli.

Drop the rear height a bit by removing a spacer. Perhaps put on some air bags to maintain level ride while towing.

Put on Bilstein 7100's



Has anyone done something similar? Good/Bad? Waste of money?



thx

mg

 

[AH64ID]

I have searched and not been able to find a stock height, or 1" preferred for me, progressive rate coil. Your only option may to be have some custom ones made.

I currently have a 1" spacer lift and it rides much better than a 2" spacer lift on the same springs/shocks, so I am defiantly keeping my lower height.

Years ago I had national spring wind me some custom coils for my 4runner, I bet they would make you some for your truck.

 

[04blackcherry]

Have you heard of Gitt's Spring in Auburn. They got me some plus 1" for my Ranger years back. I believe they can give you a ball park on what it would cost and progressive vs constant pitch possibilities.

I'm in the process of obtaining a set of 6% coils from Lorenz and mini packs for the back. I just found out about the tire pressure trick for these rigs. Still want to try to get the truck to roll over things instead of hop. Will let you know how it works. If you want to talk Lorenz, email Sean, he will likely call you back so you can discuss possibilities with his product.

 

[AH64ID]

So I decided to call National Spring, $450 for a 1" spring, or stock height. They are progressive, maintain OEM load capacity and are they said they will ride a lot better.

 

[firemansdiesel]

Since you want to keep the stock rake of the stance. Your only option is replacing your stock shocks to some Bilstein 5100 shocks (probably the best stock replacement shock out there). The 7100's are a good shock that when is valved correctly to the coil and leaf rate (i. e. Carli 2. 0 suspension system). Just buying a set of 7100's and slapping them on your stock truck will actually ride worse because of a generic valving.

Majority of the ride comfort is from the rear of our trucks (you'll also notice certain characteristics changes w/ the ride on better coils up front). The mini leaf pack will help some w/ a 5100 shock, but will not be a "WOW" factor. Then you'll notice the front end w/o upgrading to some better coils.

 

[mattgos]

Thanks for the responses!



I emailed Gitts since it would be nice to actually see where the springs are made and even have them installed. If that doesn't work out then National sounds like a reasonble alternative.



OK, so new plan:



Custom 1" lift progressive coils up front

Lorenz mini-packs in the rear (perhaps Gitts if they have something comparable)

Bilstein 5100's



I am hesitating on pulling the trigger because I am not sure whether this change is worth the dollars. Will this really give me the ride I am looking for or after install will I be wishing I got a medium high-end system (+$2000) with a 3" lift?



Anyone do anything similar?

 

[leaky gasket]

The smooth ride I get from my truck only cost 3 bags of sand and the tire psi adjust.

 

[AH64ID]

The smooth ride I get from my truck only cost 3 bags of sand and the tire psi adjust.

How big were the bags? It takes me over 700lbs to even feel weight in my 05.

 

[AEdelheit]

Don Thuren has a great white body kit out right now that rides great on road and would be well under 2k. Problem with your route is there is no R&D behind spring rates and shock valving, will it be better? sure. Will it be as good as a Carli or Thuren kit? nope. A sway bar from either company will also greatly improve the ride

 

[CDonaldson]

Have you looked into the Bilstein 5160's? They are a reservoir shock. The Bilstein p/n for the front is 25-187595, 0-3" lift. 4x4. This is the reservoir shock that Genos sells. The Bilstein p/n for the rear is 25-187601, 0-2" lift. 4x4. Several people have upgraded from the 5100's to these and are very happy with them.





CD

 

[Lumpy]

I love the ride in my 05, but I lay down 8 used Cat 980 loader bucket cutting edges across the bed of my truck, and adjust tire pressure. . 02

 

[Bob4x4]

With out adding travel softer springs will bottom out too easy without valving the shocks stiffer than what would be a comfortable street ride. Go with an engineered system and deal with a little more ride height.

 

[Tinman]

I agree with Bob, but there are some things you can do. The single best thing is rid yourself of the rear helper spring. Get some mini-packs and don't use all of the spacers between the axle and springs. (Mini's will add an inch or so of height. Not compensating for this with a stock height front end will worsen the "butt in the air" stance of the truck. )



Next, get the most expensive shocks you are willing to pay for. The bigger the better. As mentioned, don't get off-the shelf shocks, get some engineered and valved for our trucks. All the suspension vendors mentioned here have shocks down to 5100 level specifically for our trucks. All of these shocks can work with stock height trucks but you wont' benefit from the extra bump travel (and extra space for better bump stops) that the taller springs allow.

 

[AH64ID]

The problem is that lifting the front 3" means lifting the rear, neither of which are very good if you tow/haul regularly. I would like the look of a 3/2 lift and 35's, but that wouldn't be functional enough for how I use the truck.

 

[AEdelheit]

The problem is that lifting the front 3" means lifting the rear, neither of which are very good if you tow/haul regularly. I would like the look of a 3/2 lift and 35's, but that wouldn't be functional enough for how I use the truck.

huh???? leveling kits that are 2" dont raise the rear at all, they level the front to the same height as the rear which is why they are called a "leveling kit". A 3" would be a bit much but Ive seen it done before without lifting the rear, it looks a bit special but lifting the front does not mean you have to lift the rear

 

[AH64ID]

huh???? leveling kits that are 2" dont raise the rear at all, they level the front to the same height as the rear which is why they are called a "leveling kit". A 3" would be a bit much but Ive seen it done before without lifting the rear, it looks a bit special but lifting the front does not mean you have to lift the rear

All the progressive rate spring kits I have seen are 3" kits. 3" is dead level when empty, so add any weight and you are either riding on airbags or sagging in the rear.



I had a 2" level kit for the last 3. 5 years and was never really happy with it. I like the front 2" lower than the rear, so a 1" spacer is perfect. Which is why if I were to raise the front 3" I would want to raise the rear 2" and that would mean a large drop hitch, reduced gearing from larger tires, etc.

 

[AEdelheit]

All the progressive rate spring kits I have seen are 3" kits. 3" is dead level when empty, so add any weight and you are either riding on airbags or sagging in the rear.



I had a 2" level kit for the last 3. 5 years and was never really happy with it. I like the front 2" lower than the rear, so a 1" spacer is perfect. Which is why if I were to raise the front 3" I would want to raise the rear 2" and that would mean a large drop hitch, reduced gearing from larger tires, etc.

So its your personal prefrence to lift the rear, IMO lifted trucks dont look good with a rake, if you use it for hauling and want a leveling kit then Id do air bags to keep it level, to each there own there but the average leveling kit doesnt lift the rear at all

 

[AH64ID]

I have airbags. . it just doesn't work the same as the truck doesn't handle as nice when loaded when all the weight is on the bags. When you can let the rear drop about 1-1. 5" and then hold it there with the airbags the truck handles so much better!

It would be really nice if someone produced and marketed a 1" progressive rate coil.

 

[Regcabguy]

I have airbags. . it just doesn't work the same as the truck doesn't handle as nice when loaded when all the weight is on the bags. When you can let the rear drop about 1-1. 5" and then hold it there with the airbags the truck handles so much better!



It would be really nice if someone produced and marketed a 1" progressive rate coil.

A local guy here sourced out National Spring for 1" taller front linear springs and a rear leaf pack on his '97 CTD to accommodate his FWC slide-in and to chuck the rear monster blocks. He wanted it to sit level with the camper mounted. He seems pleased. $1300 for front and back.



My stock coils were weak on my '07 and completely worthless with my camper on it. I think your going to need more than 1" lift.

 

[Tinman]

I've got some old original KORE 2 inch coils sitting around I could let go. They are single rate and pretty stiff, but are not as tall as the current spring out there. If you have a winch or bumper, they'd probably work fairly well.



You could get some 3 inch coils that are available and cut them, then heat the end to flatten out the cut end.