Rear Suspension mods

[BigBadSmoosh]

My truck is currently lowered with Biggtime's 2.5" blocks, since installing the blocks I've had an issue with bottoming out whenever driving. So far I've put on new rancho shocks and swapped in a set of stock leafs I got from another member.

I'm planning on driving out to detroit for homecoming and I don't want to drive my truck with it bottoming out the whole ride.

As far as I can tell my options are as follows:
-Air bag setup (big $)
-Air Shock setup, stock or similar to stock with a wired switch controlling the compressor (with stock leafs)
-Adjustable rear shocks, QA1, Rancho, etc (with stock leafs)
-Adjustable coil-overs (with stock leafs)
-Remove rear blocks and have a stupid ass raked look (last possible option)

The current leafs that are in it aren't that great, one side appears higher than the other and the eventually level out. If anyone has a mint set of stock rear leafs for a ty (or a sy *another story*) i'd consider buying them as well. My goal is to get this done as fast as possible and as best as possible so that it is not an on-going issue.

Any other suggestions or anyone with experience/preferences?

 

[turbodog]

Re: Rear Suspension mods

Well, getting it as low as you (and I) want means the axle is just really close to the bump stops. So, one other option is a mild frame c-notch. A local guy (Greg, or ShuggsRR on syty.net) is going that route on his Tyclone. With this apporach, you can have reasonable spring rates and the low stance.

Without this, you are left with finding a way to implement a drastic rising-rate spring setup, so the ride is tolerable but won't bottom out easily. Probably a leaf + QA1 setup is the least complex way to accomplish it. One possible variation to consider: take out the center leaf on the stock spring stack, or have a custom de-arched leaf put in. That's what I did. I do not have the QA1, though. Just heavy duty Gabriel hi-jackers (running about 45 psi) and a modified ELC setup.

Food for thought....

 

[BigBadSmoosh]

Re: Rear Suspension mods

I like the idea of a custom leaf spring setup, question is who or what company will take into account the weight of the truck, the stock spring rate, and be able to modify everything so that I have a lower stance and a more "firm" spring so that it doesn't bottom out.

at one point in time someone mentioned contacting the company that manufactured the stock leafs, i don't remember the company name or if anything ever came of it. I'd love to get rid of the blocks and keep the current ride height, I just really need to resolve the bottoming out issue as it is now I have a few dents in the rear rims I need to address.

 

[Loeryder]

Re: Rear Suspension mods

Throw some cheap air shocks on it and just use a valve, no compressor.
air them up for the highway ride and air down when you get to D town.

Air Ride also makes helper bags that are relatively cheap.
I used those on my Dak RT when I towed the Ty.
Have to drill holes in the frame though.

 

[BigBadSmoosh]

Re: Rear Suspension mods

I have my stock pump (took it out years ago and rebuilt it at the time) and i think all the stock electronics, maybe i'll look into a set of air shocks and use the stock compressor to raise the compression..

airbags would be fun but at just an added expense, the cheaper the better.. as is i'm going to have to throw some cladding up on ebay to afford this.

 

[turbodog]

Re: Rear Suspension mods

I don't think you can get the rear down 2.5 - 3 inches without the blocks. The spring would have to be inverted (I don't know the correct term... it would have to actually arch upward). Mine is pretty close to flat, with 2" blocks. I am mostly using the leaf springs to keep the rear end in place, and counting on the air shocks for handling bumps.

That's the problem with trying this on leaf springs alone. The suspension geometry is screwed up. You need to relocate the leaf spring mounting points upward to eliminate the blocks, get the ride height you want AND still have any spring action left in the leafs.

 

[BigBadSmoosh]

Re: Rear Suspension mods

at this point I really just want as close to a level look as possible, the less wheel gap the better..

 

[nastety92]

Re: Rear Suspension mods

Eric when the back bottoms out doesnt it hit the bumpstops? Cant the bumpstop be cut to make them smaller or replaced with smaller ones?
Just an idea, my $0.02

Good luck.

Nick

 

[2kwik4u]

Re: Rear Suspension mods

I hacked the bumpstops, and brackets out of my S10, I would expect the same to be possible for the Ty, although I haven't had my head under one in awhile to remember for sure.

JAS is right on the money though. Toss some $75 airshocks in there, and just hang the valve under the rear bumper with some zip-ties. I've been using this setup on my S10 for years, and it works great. Put a little load in the back, and all you have to do is stop by a gas station, and add some air. Levels it right back out. Minimal cost and Minimal hassle.

Also just to throw another wrench in the monkey works.....You could get some coilovers from ERue. That will add to the spring rate, and keep you off the frame/stops/brackets as well.

 

[ChevelleDude71]

Re: Rear Suspension mods

Eric when the back bottoms out doesnt it hit the bumpstops? Cant the bumpstop be cut to make them smaller or replaced with smaller ones?
Just an idea, my $0.02

Good luck.

Nick

This is what I did to my sy, I have the beltech 2" drop springs and 3" drop blocks with 3/8" Set back plates, I just cut the bump stops, It now has a half an inch of travel it is stiff ( Factory shocks ). So if you are only going 2.5" drop in the rear, then saw off half of your bump stops ( or install smaller ones ) and put in adjustable shocks just for reasurance I think you should be good. :tup:

I had air shocks on my chevelle for a couple of weeks, it was fun to have the huge rake, but it handled like poop. If it is just for the trip, If you do this route, get some cheap air shocks from your local car parts store and air them up a little for the trip and let them out when you get there, that sound like a better idea then sawing on your truck like I did. :lol:

 

[93 TY 2185]

Re: Rear Suspension mods

Throw some cheap air shocks on it and just use a valve, no compressor.
air them up for the highway ride and air down when you get to D town.

Eric, I have the same blocks that you are using. I did what Jas said to do.
I loaded the Ty up with a lot of tools for the trip to the nationals.
Aired up the shocks and never bottomed out the whole 1500 Mile trip.

 

[mattw]

Re: Rear Suspension mods

Renz once unbolted an axle from the leafs and then let the truck down so that the axle was sitting right on the bump stops.. They are functional and the correct height. If you cut them any the rear wheels will hit the wheel well opening. The people that notch the frames and such usually have a much narrower stance and the wheels tuck up under the wheel well openings..

-Matt

 

[turbodog]

Re: Rear Suspension mods

Thanks, Matt. That's good to know.

 

[BigBadSmoosh]

Re: Rear Suspension mods

so i've been looking for the cheap $75 a pair airshocks, and so far all I can find is a bunch of Monroe air shocks on summitracing.com, only problem is that I can't find a part number that will match our setup perfectly..

I'm going to give the air shocks a shot and see how bad it is..

*edit* think i found the right part number, MA759

 

[93 TY 2185]

Re: Rear Suspension mods

I got my Monroes shock from a local parts store.
2WD and 4WD were the same part number.
HTH

so i've been looking for the cheap $75 a pair airshocks, and so far all I can find is a bunch of Monroe air shocks on summitracing.com, only problem is that I can't find a part number that will match our setup perfectly..

I'm going to give the air shocks a shot and see how bad it is..

*edit* think i found the right part number, MA759

 

[BigBadSmoosh]

Re: Rear Suspension mods

ordered the shocks and a bunch of other parts from rockauto.com, shocks were $62 for the pair... not to bad, hopefully they make a difference.

 

[mattw]

Re: Rear Suspension mods

ordered the shocks and a bunch of other parts from rockauto.com, shocks were $62 for the pair... not to bad, hopefully they make a difference.

You could always try a diet.. I'm sure a little less weight in the cab would help the issue. Probably be cheaper than constantly buying new suspension parts as well...

;-)


-Matt

 

[turbodig]

Re: Rear Suspension mods

Not to threadjack, but I've got some Air-lift bags that I had on the Sy that I would be willing to
part with...

 

[93 TY 2185]

Re: Rear Suspension mods

ordered the shocks and a bunch of other parts from rockauto.com, shocks were $62 for the pair... not to bad, hopefully they make a difference.

Make sure you get the air line kit.

 

[BigBadSmoosh]

Re: Rear Suspension mods

Not to threadjack, but I've got some Air-lift bags that I had on the Sy that I would be willing to
part with...

dig i tried to send you a pm, your box is full.. i'm interested in the bags depending on price..