Suspension setups...shocks, overloads, ladder bars

mike diesel

I'm alright.
Sep 6, 2012
4,005
0
36
SLC, Utah
Decided it is time to spend a little money on the suspension side of things rather than trying to compensate by adding more hp.

Current setup:
175,000 mile oem shocks up front
15,000 mile cheapest autozone shocks in the rear
2" drop shackles and torsion bar bolts removed
Standard type ladder bars

I cannot for the life of me cut better than a 1.78 60' at the track. That's even with slicks and street tires. I cut identical 60' times. My best time to date is a [email protected].... with a 1.78 60'. The mph is there for some potential 10.4 second passes.

I just ordered Rancho 9000's front and rear. Those seem to be the best shock for the money as far as I can tell ($85 each).

Is removing the overload springs in the rear a good idea? This truck does zero towing.

I am also looking into caltracs to replace my current ladder bars but, those will be a last resort.
 

DMAX497

New member
Sep 27, 2012
398
0
0
Utah
In for info because I'm going to follow... Time we actually spend money on chassis stuff lol!
 

SickLL7Crenshaw

Billy The Kid
Mar 10, 2013
1,088
34
48
31
Mexico
I was in the same boat Mike, I now cut 1.6x pretty much every pass. Rancho 9000 all four corners all the way set to (9). Removed overload and two springs and added Caltracs. I added lowering keys up front and it launches like a arrow now. Get rid of those ladder bars it's just sending force to the front of the truck raising it on launch.
 

TheBac

Why do I keep doing this?
Staff member
Apr 19, 2008
15,618
1,875
113
Mid Michigan
Those Ranchos will help you more than you think.

The thought of running 10s on worn out OEM shocks made me do this....:spit:
 

mike diesel

I'm alright.
Sep 6, 2012
4,005
0
36
SLC, Utah
Those Ranchos will help you more than you think.

The thought of running 10s on worn out OEM shocks made me do this....:spit:

Only reason I even replaced my rear shocks was because one of them locked up solid...or else they'd still be on there :D
 

mike diesel

I'm alright.
Sep 6, 2012
4,005
0
36
SLC, Utah
I am beyond excited to see how this thing reacts with the new stuff.

I've also still got a goose neck hitch in that I need to pull out.
 

Josh154

Well-known member
Sep 28, 2015
1,220
85
48
Sioux Falls SD
I don't mean to hijack but I am in the same boat. I have Long bars and t bars all the way down. I have bilstein 5100s on all corners, trying to get my 60' down.
 

Chevy1925

don't know sh!t about IFS
Staff member
Oct 21, 2009
21,691
5,848
113
Phoenix Az
I would have bought Viking shocks. Half the price of qa1 with all the adjustability. Will work way better than ranchos too, Brian found that out.
 

DefiantArms

Limp Mode Cowboy
Jan 28, 2016
897
1
18
St. Augustine, FL
James I was about to go with billsteins but interested in the Vikings. How would I tell what length I need if I'm not able to measure on truck? Just compare to others or just wait till I get home and measure? Tbars are cranked running 37's no lift :D
 

c20elephant

C20ELEPHANT
Apr 25, 2013
2,065
0
0
Phoenix, Arizona
Last edited:

Chevy1925

don't know sh!t about IFS
Staff member
Oct 21, 2009
21,691
5,848
113
Phoenix Az
QA1 shocks, lots of the issues covered in link below and how to setup, the first is the lifespan for a daily driver is not too long, they're just not designed for a 4000lbs front end, the upside you can have them rebuilt

http://www.duramaxdiesels.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12804&highlight=qa+shocks

More links for coilovers

http://www.duramaxdiesels.com/forum/showpost.php?p=918610&postcount=11

Stock lengths

Front 15.2 ext and 12.7 collapsed
Rear 26.2 ext and 16.3 collapsed.

To add, there is no stock height coilover setup out there. adding a coilover will lower the front of the truck do to available spring rates and shock lengths.