88 R1500 Suburban - How to go back to stock height?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

HeavyHalf

Junior Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2020
Posts
7
Reaction score
5
Location
South Jersey
First Name
Bob
Truck Year
1988
Truck Model
Suburban
Engine Size
350
Hello everyone. I just picked up a 1988 2WD GMC Suburban with a half completed lowering job (the front was done but not the back). I'm looking to revert the front back to standard ride height, but I'm having trouble finding what I need (and where to get it) online. I know that I need spindles, but are there other associated components that are also needed? Additionally, I seem to only be able to find lowering spindles when I search for this specific model, but find stock height when I look for the pickup variant (1987 C10 for example). Will the ones for a 73-87 C10 work on mine?

Photo of how she sits currently:
You must be registered for see images attach
 

Vbb199

B-rate Hillbilly Customs
Joined
Jan 12, 2018
Posts
9,045
Reaction score
15,338
Location
Salisbury NC
First Name
Vince
Truck Year
89, 79
Truck Model
89 Suburban R1500, 79 C10
Engine Size
350, 502
Have you just tried the auto parts store for spindles?
Not trying to be sarcastic.

If I'm thinking about it correctly, it's definitely the spindles that must be changed.
The front coils have probably either been cut, or changed out.
 

HeavyHalf

Junior Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2020
Posts
7
Reaction score
5
Location
South Jersey
First Name
Bob
Truck Year
1988
Truck Model
Suburban
Engine Size
350
Have you just tried the auto parts store for spindles?
Not trying to be sarcastic.

If I'm thinking about it correctly, it's definitely the spindles that must be changed.
The front coils have probably either been cut, or changed out.

Thanks for the info. I didn't take it sarcastically. Really I'm open to any advice I can get.

While I didn't go to a parts store, I did look online at Napa, Auto Zone, Advance, and Pep Boys (pretty much all that would be local to me), and the results I"m getting back are all either spindle nuts, or bearings (no actual spindle assemblies).
 

idahovette

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2016
Posts
7,270
Reaction score
15,874
Location
Weiser Idaho
First Name
Perry
Truck Year
1975-1979
Truck Model
K20-K10
Engine Size
350
Bob, did the PO throw the originals away or can you find out?
 

idahovette

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2016
Posts
7,270
Reaction score
15,874
Location
Weiser Idaho
First Name
Perry
Truck Year
1975-1979
Truck Model
K20-K10
Engine Size
350
Thanks for the info. I didn't take it sarcastically. Really I'm open to any advice I can get.

While I didn't go to a parts store, I did look online at Napa, Auto Zone, Advance, and Pep Boys (pretty much all that would be local to me), and the results I"m getting back are all either spindle nuts, or bearings (no actual spindle assemblies).
I think these are what GM called hard parts and you won't find them in "parts" stores. More likely in junk yards?
 

HeavyHalf

Junior Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2020
Posts
7
Reaction score
5
Location
South Jersey
First Name
Bob
Truck Year
1988
Truck Model
Suburban
Engine Size
350
Bob, did the PO throw the originals away or can you find out?

Good point, I sent him a message. We'll see if he gets back to me.


I think these are what GM called hard parts and you won't find them in "parts" stores. More likely in junk yards?

Thanks, I may have to go the route of junkyard. I would still need to know if the earlier 2WD trucks interchange with the 88 Suburban though I guess.
 

HeavyHalf

Junior Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2020
Posts
7
Reaction score
5
Location
South Jersey
First Name
Bob
Truck Year
1988
Truck Model
Suburban
Engine Size
350
Good point, I sent him a message. We'll see if he gets back to me.

He scrapped them, but said he would buy the lowering parts back from me if I took them off, so that's something.
 

Poppy 87

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2019
Posts
1,081
Reaction score
1,942
Location
Bloomingdale GA
First Name
John
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
R10 Silverado
Engine Size
305
Not sure about the suburbans, but the pickups had 2 different spindles. The brake rotor thickness determines which is correct. The rotors are either 1" or 1.25" thick. Find out what your suburban has before you go shopping
 

Vbb199

B-rate Hillbilly Customs
Joined
Jan 12, 2018
Posts
9,045
Reaction score
15,338
Location
Salisbury NC
First Name
Vince
Truck Year
89, 79
Truck Model
89 Suburban R1500, 79 C10
Engine Size
350, 502
Thanks for the info. I didn't take it sarcastically. Really I'm open to any advice I can get.

While I didn't go to a parts store, I did look online at Napa, Auto Zone, Advance, and Pep Boys (pretty much all that would be local to me), and the results I"m getting back are all either spindle nuts, or bearings (no actual spindle assemblies).
I believe like the man said, it is hard parts. I browsed rock auto, I didn't see anything.
 

RoryH19

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 21, 2015
Posts
1,668
Reaction score
1,082
Location
Texas
First Name
Rory
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
R10 Silverado SWB
Engine Size
350 TBI
Pickups will be the same, make sure they are both 1/2 ton. You have 5 lug I assume?
Also there are 2 main ways to lower. Either with spindles or springs. Do you know for sure it was just the spindles?
Also ones from the 80s will work, not 100% sure about the earlier squares.
You probably also have the 1.25" rotors since you have a heavy 1/2.
 

HeavyHalf

Junior Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2020
Posts
7
Reaction score
5
Location
South Jersey
First Name
Bob
Truck Year
1988
Truck Model
Suburban
Engine Size
350
Pickups will be the same, make sure they are both 1/2 ton. You have 5 lug I assume?
Also there are 2 main ways to lower. Either with spindles or springs. Do you know for sure it was just the spindles?
Also ones from the 80s will work, not 100% sure about the earlier squares.
You probably also have the 1.25" rotors since you have a heavy 1/2.

Yes, they are 5 lug wheels. I don't know if it was just the spindles.

In doing some more research it looks like the 1/2 ton Vans of this era would also work. I may have a line on a set of spindles if that's the case.

Thanks everyone!
 

HeavyHalf

Junior Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2020
Posts
7
Reaction score
5
Location
South Jersey
First Name
Bob
Truck Year
1988
Truck Model
Suburban
Engine Size
350
You must be registered for see images attach


This is how she sits now. I got a set of new (30+ year old) take-off spindles, new springs, and shocks and we're back in business. Thanks you all for your help!
 

RedBeard_83

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2020
Posts
554
Reaction score
872
Location
Florida
First Name
Cory
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
Custom deluxe
Engine Size
Sbc 350
You must be registered for see images attach


This is how she sits now. I got a set of new (30+ year old) take-off spindles, new springs, and shocks and we're back in business. Thanks you all for your help!
Still got the lowering spindles ? I'd be interested if you did

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
 

Shorty81

Baby Boomer
Joined
Mar 19, 2018
Posts
3,102
Reaction score
5,778
Location
North West ohio
First Name
Darren
Truck Year
86
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
496
You must be registered for see images attach


This is how she sits now. I got a set of new (30+ year old) take-off spindles, new springs, and shocks and we're back in business. Thanks you all for your help!
Wow, that looks so much better!!
 

Grit dog

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2020
Posts
6,976
Reaction score
12,226
Location
Auburn, Washington
First Name
Todd
Truck Year
1986, 1977
Truck Model
K20, C10
Engine Size
454, 350
Sweet rig!
Personally I was diggin the slammed look, but what you did is more functional fo sho.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
44,168
Posts
950,798
Members
36,284
Latest member
RogerioHR
Top