Suspension Discussion

[H2Much]

Ok, I thought with all the front end upgrade posts that maybe its time to have a suspension discussion.

Here is my question - has anyone gone with a coil-over suspension setup for the front end yet? I know these setups are pricey as hell and I'm not even sure if they make them for the Deuce, but I have been pretty disappointed with my front end for a while now.

My problem - I went with the skyjacker lift, I think it gives me 5-1/2" lift. Rolling 40's, cranked the stock keys all the way up and added 1-1/2" spacers on the back under the coils to even out the stance. Looks ok, except for when I turn into a dip, the tire digs into the frame big time and makes a huge pop from it hitting the frame on the back of the wheel well. Also, when I hit a dip in the road, the truck bounces up and down and there is a huge pop from my wheel shooting down after absorbing the bump when going slow over a dip - pretty sure it is from the keys being cranked and the wheel is shooting back down under the pressure.

Now, I know I need a new steering setup simply because of the 40's eventually. I was thinking of getting the green keys that everyone talks about, but I'm not sure if they are going to give me enough of a change to notice. Rocking Bilstein shocks too, so good to go there. I guess the point I am trying to make is that I would like my truck to just be able to hit a bump and absorb it nicely without popping, rubbing, or bouncing. About ready to take it to a body shop and have them cut out part of my wheel wells just to open it up, but I know that this isn't going to get me to where I can hit something and have the suspension suck it up like a desert buggy. Whatever I decide to do next will be drastic, so I want to see if thereis anything I am missing before I go chop shop on my truck.

Pretty sure there are others out there too that are maxing out the 5-1/2" to 6" lifts with 40's and are wondering the same thing, so let's talk about it.

[[__--MUD--__]]

If your getting bounce- then your shocks are junk. If they are new then they are to small to dampen/resist the movement. Your going to run through components 4x the rate of stock w/ those monster wheels. ;)

You still have your stock wheels/tires or access to someone that can loan you a set? If so I'd put the stockers on and back the t-bars way off, take it out for a spin see how it handles. I've not heard one person ever say they were happy w/ the handling after cranking those bars. If you then get some ride quality back, that should answer your question about the green keys.

Throw a 2" body lift on it...probably solve most of your clearance problems. There is a 3 page thread on body lifts here about 4 months back. Should have all the info you need.

http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41350&highlight=body+lift

[tomp]

The only way I'd ever put 40s on an H2 is if I installed a solid axle up front and push things forward enough to allow for plenty of tire clearance. I'd also address the steering woes with a hydro-assist and drag link. Otherwise you are going to have to lift the vehicle up too much to get the needed clearance and still have concerns with steering, half shafts and front diff being strong enough. Sure, there are others whom have managed to get 40s on theirs but have to live with some issues and never really gain much in overall functionality. Just my two cents...

[H2Much]

Great input. I agree that I need to upgrade the sterring system, just have been putting it off. I am just a little bit sad that there was not a little more effort out there on people making stuff for these trucks. I just can't see my ride on anything smaller than a 40", but then again that is the "going big" syndrome there talking as once you upgrade adn go bigger, you just keep wanting bigger, you never want to stop.

If only there was such a thing as a 7" or 8" lift, that would be perfect. Maybe I will see about getting some custom stuff made to try and work it out without digging myself into a financial hole. I will be heading to SEMA this year, so I will see if there is anyone out there that can help me out with this situation.

[[__--MUD--__]]

I am just a little bit sad that there was not a little more effort out there on people making stuff for these trucks.

If only there was such a thing as a 7" or 8" lift, that would be perfect.

If you owned your rig in 2005-2009 there was so much hummer aftermarket parts on the market, it was crazy. New vehicle being sold, tons of suppliers were cashing in on owners blowing alot of cash on customizations. There was a lot of really cheaply made parts being sold for stupid prices. 2009-2010 everyone was whoring out the remaining inventory on ebay. Whats on there now is basically the crap no one else ever bought. There are a few good things here and there, nothing close to back then.

7-8" lift is easy.... 6" fabtech + 2" body lift.

[tomp]

Front end bounce can also be contributed to worn steering parts, where toe in and out will magnify any bouncing that would normally level out quickly. Typically this is pitman and idler arms but worn tie rods can also contribute

[tyler1bo]

FTS makes a 7" lift

[H2Much]

7" lift huh... I'm liking the sound of that.

[charles06]

Stay away from Full Throttle. Lifts aren't that great and terrible customer service.

Do yourself a favor and purchase the upper control arms from Cognito with uni-balls. They require additional castor which pushes the wheels forward a bit. I switched to 40's about six months ago and had a bit of rubbing, but that was due to a slight forward rake in the stance of the truck. Had my shop level it, and all is well now.

[tyler1bo]

Tons of guys on the west coast run FTS and they adore it. I think the product is pretty sound, I am unaware of the customer service though. Honestly, if I were to do it again, I'd get a FTS lift. I DO agree with the Cognito Uni-balls, on the other hand.

[charles06]

When I bought my truck, it already had the Fabtech kit on it. I purchased the FTS kit, with all the upgrades, and my local shop, who builds all kinds of trucks, stated it wasn't worth the switch. They thought Fabtech was the better kit. Had something to do with the spindles. They DID feel that the upgrades were nice, but when comparing just the base kits, Fabtech was the better choice.

I then sold my FTS kit to Seth, the UFC fighter who knocked out Kimbo Slice, and he had all kinds of problems with it. Could never get the alignment right and sold the truck. Even though I took a HUGE hit on the kit, I felt so bad for him.

Before selling the kit, I tried to return it, but FTS wouldn't take it back...even after I shipped it back to them. And let me tell you how helpful they were to me and then Seth. Oh wait, I can't...

[tyler1bo]

I understand. My truck wants to track right just a hair, it's not bad but enough to bother you at times. It's been aligned numerous times, so that's either as close as it will get, or I need to take it elsewhere. That sucks about FTS's CS, I've read on GMFullsize where someone complained about the same thing. How big was the FTS you ordered?

[charles06]

I honestly don't remember. It was five years ago.

[H2Much]

Ah man, what a dreamcrusher. Just when I thought that someone had the brains to make a decent lift for a decent application, you guys educate me. Oh well, guess I will continue my journey to find a custom place to make it. I imagine I wouldn't need to change too much if I was to have just the parts I need custom made, but then again these things can turn into a nightmare if precision is not used, as you mentioned with your alignment.

Thanks for the info though, I thing I will look up the Cognito setup.

[charles06]

You just need to keep in mind that no kits have everything you'll need or want. If they did, you'd be spending thousands more than the typical kit costs. Think about how many posts there have been about tie-rods, UCA's, trailing arms, panhard bars, sway bars, mounts, gussets, etc. Imagine if all that stuff was included in a kit...

And for a reference, my alignment has been great for years now, and it's been lifted for over 50,000 miles. However, I have made improvements over those miles/years.

[H2Much]

Charles06, would you mind posting a few pics of your rig? I have yet to see your setup and the more I think about it, the more I think my truck is going in the direction of where yours already is. I would like to see how your wheel wells look with the tires and how your front end looks under there- from your description it sounds like you have some custom work and suspension already on there.

If you are pretty happy with your setup, I would like to see what you have gone through already to get there as I think I am in for some changes pretty soon. If I could get a view of your setup that would be great for me to see how far away I really am from a better setup.

Thanks in advance...

[charles06]

Let me see what I can dig up. The truck is at the shop right now getting a new steering box, steering pump, ram-assist, and exhaust put on. Are there some specific pictures you'd like to see?

[tyler1bo]

You switching exhausts?

[charles06]

When I bought the truck, I thought it already had a Magnaflow on it. When my shop was contacted by Magnaflow for a few volunteer trucks needed for an exhaust, then to be used in a show, we realized that my truck only had a Magnaflow muffler. Well, the whole deal with Magnaflow using our trucks fell through, but they hooked me up BIG with a full cat-back.

[HUMTECH]

If your serious about making your truck work, contact my friend Clayton at http://www.emfrodends.com/Default.asp and he can steer you in th eright direction, build almost any part you may need

[H2Much]

Charles06, just looking for pics to show how your truck looks with the 7" lift, and how it looks up close on the front and rear wheel wells with your tires. Trying to get a feel for what mine would look like as I am seriously contemplating upgrading to a 7" lift. Want to make sure that I have thought of everything first before throwing down more casha dn ending up having to change a bunch of stuff.

[charles06]

These are the most recent I have, but this was actually before I adjusted the front up an inch with the torsion bars, which is weird because the one picture looks like it sits nose high. When these pictures were taken, it had a slight forward rake to it. Right now, the truck sits perfectly level.

It's still at the shop, currently sorting out the new steering, so I'll have to get better pictures when I get it back. Actually, the shop is going to do a few "professional" shots of it. Maybe those will help.

[tyler1bo]

Fabtech seems to be a good kit, tall and very flat angles, enough to where you can crank and not risk anything. Bulletproof also seems to be a taller 6" kit, could easily grab 6-8" out of that. CST made a 6-8" kit as well. The only other kit to my knowledge that is larger than a 6" but smaller than a 12" is the FTS 9.5". (And you sky 40's with that)