C20 Steering & Suspension Rebuild

[philo_beddoe]

Ballpark,,what did the "steering" part of this run you? Or did i already ask?

[LTZ C20]

I think you already asked that. Maybe 3 or 4 pages back??

[philo_beddoe]

Ok, thought so. Too lazy to slide finger down a few inches.

[LTZ C20]

Ok, thought so. Too lazy to slide finger down a few inches.

Lol. Stand by, in the next hour I will update about the lift install.

[LTZ C20]

Update:

Yesterday I installed the blocks. Didn't take too long, about 2 hours. I was working pretty slow tho, not much motivation lately haha. The blocks fit perfectly.

I thought I was going to have an issue with the longer U bolts. They looked too wide when compared to the others. Looks can be deceiving tho, they fit fine.

On with the pictures!






Before the blocks but with the new springs.

Remember, with just the springs, the middle of the wheel well openings were at just over 36 inches off the ground & the top of the bumper was at 28 inches.

Now with the blocks. What makes it look different is looking at the space between the tires and wheels wells. Otherwise the difference can be kinda hard to see.

Now, the middle of the wheel well openings are at 37.5 inches and the rear bumper is at 29.25 inches.

These two pics are better.


This one really shows the new rake.


I love the way it looks. The lift gave me that little extra I was looking for. I wanted it to look like a big 2500 but not like a 2wd that wants to be a 4wd.

The project never really stops. Side plans include removing the cab lights hopefully soon and adding some simple chrome or stainless steel nerf bars/side steps, only cab length, I don't want them to stretch under the bed. Also, this is only when the the time comes but next time it's time for new tires I may go from a 265/75R16 tire to a 285/85R16 tire. I'll worry about that when the time comes tho.

The actual next step on this thread is brakes! So stay tuned, it may be a bit before I get to it but, eventually that will commence.

Cliff hanger!
(p.s. disc brake conversion to come)

[Irish_Alley]

much rather see a truck look like this then the new "style" were they life the front by 6" then the rear only gets 2" or so

[philo_beddoe]

Looks nice and even. I have a factory config, and my nose has a little drop, as they normally do right? I was gonna swap coil springs to the HD AC Delco. Will that even me out?

[LTZ C20]

much rather see a truck look like this then the new "style" were they life the front by 6" then the rear only gets 2" or so

Brand new HD GM trucks have about 6-8 inches between the tires and wheel wells in the front and about 8-12 inches between the tires and wheel wells in the rear. This all of course depends on the model, 2500 or 3500, 2 or 4 wheel drive, gas or diesel engine. But even in the new trucks, the rake sometimes looks even more extreme than mine. I've stood next too a brand new 2wd 2500 HD gas truck, the top of the bed was at my chest and it looked like it was as high and a stock 4wd. These new trucks have such high payload ratings that the suspension makes them sit tall. Which is ok, a big truck is always better looking than a little truck.

[LTZ C20]

Looks nice and even. I have a factory config, and my nose has a little drop, as they normally do right? I was gonna swap coil springs to the HD AC Delco. Will that even me out?

With new HD springs you may get to much forward lift, causing it to be nose high with a slope to the rear. That's actually what mine looked like for awhile  until the back got rebuilt, it was minor but noticeable. New standard springs will probably bring the nose up even with the rear.

I went HD on everything because I wanted the truck to sit noticeably higher. That's why I lput blocks on also, just to bring the back up a bit more. Some people like the truck to sit level, some like a high front, some like a high rear. I always like a high rear so your heavy loads the truck is level. Otherwise it looks like your trying to move something heavier than what the truck can handle when the back sags with a load.

I would leave it a bit nose down. Unless you get new springs all around, then it will still be nose down but the whole truck will sit taller.

[Irish_Alley]

much rather see a truck look like this then the new "style" were they life the front by 6" then the rear only gets 2" or so

Brand new HD GM trucks have about 6-8 inches between the tires and wheel wells in the front and about 8-12 inches between the tires and wheel wells in the rear. This all of course depends on the model, 2500 or 3500, 2 or 4 wheel drive, gas or diesel engine. But even in the new trucks, the rake sometimes looks even more extreme than mine. I've stood next too a brand new 2wd 2500 HD gas truck, the top of the bed was at my chest and it looked like it was as high and a stock 4wd. These new trucks have such high payload ratings that the suspension makes them sit tall. Which is ok, a big truck is always better looking than a little truck.

lol i meant the new "style" kids are doing ow days. they call it a cali lean???







theres a few around here on the east coast that have done it. one of my friends who has a crew cab also did it. he swears it was by mistake, cause he has a 2wd frame and hangers that he made 4wd

[LTZ C20]

Ohhh yesssssss, Cali lean. Yea that's just retarded. So many people do that here it makes me sick. Giant wheels, mega lifts, low profile mud tires, powder coated and chromed suspension. I seriously don't understand it.

[philo_beddoe]

Thats a creepy look. Weird and a waste of money. How it looked at the dealership is how i like it, i guess perfectly even.

[Irish_Alley]

i dont even like my truck to squat with a trailer on it let alone just driving down the road, but like weve said before to each their own

[philo_beddoe]

Here is that front end dip i have. Is this normal?

[LTZ C20]

Here is that front end dip i have. Is this normal?

Perfectly normal and correct! That is how a truck is supposed to sit. That's how it looked off the assembly line, no reason to change.