99-05 Accelerator Springs upgrade under $2.00
First off we have to Thank
Killer Bee for all the work in finding this simple solution. See Killerbees write-up below I was able to find the springs available at local hardware stores for $3.00 for two springs. See picture below. As with Killerbees mod, these were easily installed in less than a minute.
Accelerator Spring Mod, 99-05
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WHAT IS IT?
The pedal has 2 springs, a torsion spring and an extension spring. There is more than one spring because failure of both would mean runaway and no way to stop the truck. Except for this redundancy protection, the extension spring on these trucks is almost worthless, and doesn't resist the user, or supply any real travel feel.
A number of times I have experienced when going over bumps, the weight of your leg causes these engine cycling feedback runups that are just plain irritating. This does away with that, as well as reduces the leg fatique from driving without cruise control. IOW, it allows you to drive with the right foot more at rest, and more resistance keeps those runups reduced. The best way to say it is it makes the truck feel more intelligent, more controlled, if that helps.
After completing a round of custom tuning on the LB7 and LLY some years ago, I came to the conclusion that pedal feel was missed by GM's quality department. A pedal should provide an adequate amount of "feel" or feedback so that you not only have a good idea what you are requesting, but also so that your own body does not provide excessive feedback over bumps and during accelerations. This is what causes jerky response. Age also has a fatigue effect on the accelerator spring "rate", the LB7's I have driven seem to suffer the worst.
Satisfying driving experience: This is one of those things that is left in the unconcious. You may really like the way one vehicle drives over another, but you may never be able to put your finger on why. This is one of those areas. If I secretly changed your spring, you would be less fatigued, enjoy driving more, and really have no idea why. Psychology is tremendously humorous at times.
2 OPTIONS:
I went ahead and spec'd 2 new ones for custom tune packaging, after doing a bunch of test runs, and evaluating leg fatigue, pedal feedback and vehicle control. I have tested 8 total springs, and settled on 2 for production, a medium rate spring, M, with a 3X rate perfect for most light footed drivers, and a stiffer one yet, H, a 5X lb/in rate for heavy footed drivers, or bumpy roads.
You will be more impressed with the vehicle performance feel and feedback with the added control that these springs offer, especially if you use an unrefined hot tune, travel long distances, or are always on bumpy roads. Long drives will also be less fatiquing, obviously so.
They are custom made because they are not available in the correct size/configuration anywhere. I tried the hardware store variety, and they were just too big to be practical. These are exactly right. Needlenose pliers usually works unless you are a real lightweight. Takes about 2 minutes to do.
If you prefer, you can use the "get both" savings with this link, and give away the one you decide not to use. Please be patient, these take up to 10 days to arrive, as I only ship them once a week.
.......................99-05 Accelerator Springs.....................
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