Slightly stiffer coils that dont sacrifice ride quality

[Vbb199]

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.

Yeah, that seems to be the general idea here , all very valid points i didnt consider, the small amount excess suspension cycling im feeling in the front is because of tongue weight.

Since im already going to have the whole front end torn down, i will replace the worn out front coils with those constant spring rate coils that are listed for my r1500.

 

[shiftpro]

IMO the front coils are undersprung on SB 2wd C10s and to and extent C20s.
The few 2wd squares (SB) I've owned I installed coild from a BB truck. They ride a little higher but much better, steer better, handle better.
I highly recommend BB springs or one better, BB with AC option is even a little more rate.

 

[TotalyHucked]

Definitely go with BB c20 coils up front. Since you’re not dropped, you probably don’t need to trim (I wouldn’t think anyway). When I bought my c10, it had 2.5” drop spindles and 2” drop springs with worn out stock replacement shocks. Floated and bounced all over the road. Those springs were way too soft but the shocks couldn’t control the motion either.

So I rebuilt the whole front end with new bushings in the LCAs, bought new uppers, new ball joints, all new steering components, C20 big block springs with 1 coil cut off and Belltech SP shocks. It rides great now! The c20 springs are a perfect spring rate. Firm but not harsh. Since you’re stock height-ish, maybe looking into Bilstein 5100s. I’ve had those on all my daily driver 99-07 1500s and towed a lot. They’re terrific


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[bucket]

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.

I forgot you mentioned in the past you had a '70. Have I already bothered you for pictures of it?

But anyway, stiffer springs should help with front end bounce even with a heavy load on the hitch. Yeah, there's going to be significantly less weight on the front, leveraging and causing bounce. But a stiffer spring will not be as willing to compress when the spring is unloaded.

I think Vince is on the right track with new coils that are constant rate. It will get rid of the "squishy" part of the spring travel. Obviously, new shocks will help a bunch too.

 

[Vbb199]

Thanks everyone for the input!!!!!

Great people, great forum.

Im selling all my subs and amps this week, so im gonna have a little cash in my pocket, ill be pulling the trigger in all new front end components for my burb, including the coils,

I'll be looking into the bilstein shocks as well.

Anyone have a length for front and rear on hand?

 

[TotalyHucked]

Thanks everyone for the input!!!!!

Great people, great forum.

Im selling all my subs and amps this week, so im gonna have a little cash in my pocket, ill be pulling the trigger in all new front end components for my burb, including the coils,

I'll be looking into the bilstein shocks as well.

Anyone have a length for front and rear on hand?

I’m honestly not sure, off hand, if Bilstein makes them for our trucks but I’d imagine they do. They’re generally pretty easy to get in touch with, I’d try going right to them for a recommendation


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Grit dog]

I forgot you mentioned in the past you had a '70. Have I already bothered you for pictures of it?

pics?
I wish. Maybe something packed away in a box somewhere, but, no. Car was pre-digital era, lol.
Gold 70 2 door hardtop. 400/Th350. Gold spiderweb looking wheels like the old Trans Am gta wheels.
Sorry for the thread jack vince.

 

[MikeB]

If you can find the GM specs for your truck, it will list some of the specs for standard and optional springs. Also, if you have your glove box build sticker, it should list optional HD springs, if installed.

Here are specs for the two Moog springs:

https://drivcat.com/overlays/part-detail.aspx?brandId=MC&pNum=6452&partType=Coil Spring Set

https://drivcat.com/overlays/part-detail.aspx?brandId=MC&pNum=6454&partType=Coil Spring Set

I'm guessing the #6452 is close to stock for R1500, and #6454 is an HD option or for R2500.

 

[59840Surfer]

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

You must be registered for see images attach

I just added STOCK dual shocks on all 4 corners to increase roll resistance around corners. It worked really well and I was rally surprised that they didn't actually increase the ride stiffness very much at all.

Once I installed them - it felt like I had doubled the diameter of the sway bars since the stability around turns was improved an amazing amount.

I later added (non-coil spring suspension info here) snowplow leaves to the front which jacked up the front end a few inches.

I tow all sorts of heavy loads and since the K5 has such a limited-short wheelbase, I need everything I can add to make the trailer not wag the dog. I always use a sway-link to help and I've been known to use double sway-links when I feel they are needed (usually when I tow anything over 2 tons or longer than 20 feet or so).

You, however, cannot use those flat leaf booster front springs - but the dual shocks will work on your vehicle.

.... just saying.....