Slightly stiffer coils that dont sacrifice ride quality

[Vbb199]

While gathering a parts list for a total front end overhaul on my r1500 suburban, id also like to replace coil springs. Now for some reference, ive already swapped 3/4 ton springs on my rear end for more towing capability.

I wanna keep my front end suspension 1/2 ton, but im ok with c20 front coils if need be.

I just want a little stiffer front coil. @RedBeard_83 suggested big block coils, with 1" cut out of them for a c10. I like that idea too.

The reason for this is to eliminate some of the bouncing when i tow and run over a bump in the road.

Whats everyones thoughts?

I also was looking at the last time in my picture below, the moog constant spring rate coils.

Opinions and experience related to the coils please

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[Vbb199]

My entire theme with this suburban is a crossover type vehicle..

I wanna comfortably drive to alaska, or tow a heavy load, or outrun someone's shitbox on the street.

So i obviously do not want 1 ton suspension coils, but i obviously dont want the weakest possible coils i can get. Somewhere in between.

 

[bucket]

My big block C20 Suburban boat rides the front end a little bit while towing a heavy load too. I'll bet it has more to do with the shocks.

 

[Grit dog]

Stiffer coils for better handling for sure, however towing I don’t think will be improved with stiffer front end.
Unless you’re running weight distribution hitch (and you strike me as a hook n go kinda guy...lol) you’re taking weight off the front when towing.
The right shocks to keep from bouncing imo will have more effect on handling while towing.
That said, I haven’t modified many coil front vehicles. Only one to be specific, but back in the olden days on my 70 Impala. (Basically a 2 door suburban with arguably more cargo capacity, lol) I put big block springs up front. Didn’t cut them. Didn’t want a lowered car. They rode a bit high for a while until they settled in to roughy OE height with my small block, but cornering was much improved.

 

[Vbb199]

My big block C20 Suburban boat rides the front end a little bit while towing a heavy load too. I'll bet it has more to do with the shocks.

Stiffer coils for better handling for sure, however towing I don’t think will be improved with stiffer front end.
Unless you’re running weight distribution hitch (and you strike me as a hook n go kinda guy...lol) you’re taking weight off the front when towing.
The right shocks to keep from bouncing imo will have more effect on handling while towing.
That said, I haven’t modified many coil front vehicles. Only one to be specific, but back in the olden days on my 70 Impala. (Basically a 2 door suburban with arguably more cargo capacity, lol) I put big block springs up front. Didn’t cut them. Didn’t want a lowered car. They rode a bit high for a while until they settled in to roughy OE height with my small block, but cornering was much improved.

So the consensus here is maybe just replace my front coils with the stock MOOG constant spring rate coils or the c20 coils? and get good shocks?
Sounds good. What brand?

 

[Vbb199]

I might add, my front shocks are ****.

 

[Frankenchevy]

I think this is common in vehicles with lower spring rates that experience some squat when towing. As mentioned, the hitch weight is unloading the front.

Maybe consider airbags. They’ll push the rear end up which tends to leverage weight back onto the front end.

 

[Vbb199]

I think this is common in vehicles with lower spring rates that experience some squat when towing. As mentioned, the hitch weight is unloading the front.

Maybe consider airbags. They’ll push the rear end up which tends to leverage weight back onto the front end.

With the current 3/4 ton rear springs, i have rake.
when i load the trail truck on the trailer, it levels the suburban out. Im taking a guess to say s10 + trailer is a little over 6,000 pounds.

 

[Frankenchevy]

I might add, my front shocks are ****.

Replacing those regardless is a good start. 6k is approaching the limit of the subs rating is it not? A floaty front end may be par for the course. A BBC would help weigh things down a bit, lol

 

[Vbb199]

Replacing those regardless is a good start. 6k is approaching the limit of the subs rating is it not? A floaty front end may be par for the course. A BBC would help weigh things down a bit, lol

Oh im way over my rating towing 6k.
Truck did GREAT running up to 65mph down the road. No issues because i loaded the trail truck on the trailer correctly

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[Vbb199]

There was no wild bouncy ****, no trailer wag, i could stop just fine. My only complaint is i dont have a 4.10, rather a 3.42 on a 31" tire, i already have the hardware to change that, so ill be regearing that maybe this weekend.
I just wanted to smooth the ride out a little when i run over bumps in the road.
It bounces maybe twice after a bump @Frankenchevy

 

[Frankenchevy]

Oh im way over my rating towing 6k.
Truck did GREAT running up to 65mph down the road. No issues because i loaded the trail truck on the trailer correctly.

I’m sure you’ve already thought of this, but whenever I have a new tractor configuration or trailer I try to weigh the total trailer, then weigh just the tongue. I shoot for 10% or somewhere thereabouts.

This can be nearly impossible for me because the types of implements that come along for the ride changes often.

 

[Vbb199]

I’m sure you’ve already thought of this, but whenever I have a new tractor configuration or trailer I try to weigh the total trailer, then weigh just the tongue. I shoot for 10% or somewhere thereabouts.

This can be nearly impossible for me because the types of implements that come along for the ride changes often.

With the s10 on there, if i parked it directly over the trailer axles, it rides fine.

For the ride home, i think i didnt pull up as far, so it was kinda.... lifting? The tongue a little. It was noticed, but still the truck held control of the trailer on the road. With that particular trailer, seeing as its a little unbalanced, its best to load **** over the axles.
I can pick the tongue up when its empty, so it not completely unbalanced.

 

[82sbshortbed]

Bouncing a little tells me shocks too. I put bb coils in front when I put in the BBC and new shocks too. I kinda wonder if I'd gone with the stock springs instead if it would ride a little smoother. It's pretty stiff like it is.

 

[GXPWeasel]

I would mirror the previous words of bounce being caused by worn shocks, and add the fact that you have additional weight on the rear when towing. If it was me, I'd start with replacing the front shocks, then give her a ride while towing. Load tongue heavy. Frankenchevy said 10%, and I'd make that my minimum. I shoot for 15-20% when I load, and I'm right at 180lbs under my max limit when I tow my camping trailer with my "15. When loaded correctly (as I'm guessing you know) the ride achieved can be very good. With that greater tongue weight, you're going to get a more stable trailer, but of course remove weight from the steer axle as well. I think if you went with a more heavy duty spring, you'd be surprised at how rough the ride would be towing, and not on the front end.