simple tech (or i was lost in the this forum is dead post, now i have my own space )

[justcuz]

OK I'll post up some simple tech.
I have a 2000 Suburban. Every time I towed something heavier than a small trailer, the rear coils settled down pretty good. I did a little research and found that Hummer H2 springs are taller, have the same wire diameter and have an overload feature in them like the old Moog cargo coils (basically a coil bind situation). I went online and ordered the springs and installed them in the back of my Suburban. It raised the rear about an inch and a half and never settles past setting level even with a fairly heavy trailer (500lb tongue weight limit). The springs were roughly $182.00 and it took me less than an hour to install them. Eventually I will put different keys in the front torsion bars to reindex them to raise it even with the back... after I buy my wife a new Suburban! If anyone wants pictures I can post them tomorrow. BTW I run 285/75x16's on this thing.
My ultimate goal with this Suburban is to put an H2 rear axle in it, upgrade the front suspension to 8 lug with 3/4 ton torsion bars, LCA's, spindles and drive axles and put H2 wheels and tires on it.

[finch]

I run 285's.... lol sounds like a lot of work to make a suburban 8 lug.. you can buy them from the factory that way!

just givin you some hell, got any pics of the burb?

[justcuz]

Sure, but how many do you see that are coil sprung 8 lug? I could do the swap for less than buying another one. Actually if I bought a late model 3/4 ton with factory rear leafs it would only be for a SAS 4x4 coversion with a front Dana 60. Heres mine with the bigger springs.

[finch]

I suppose you SUV guys are special with your coil springs. too complicated for me. I am thinking about either add a leaf's or airbags for my truck. hauled a 5500# DODGE the other night and about ruptured a couple discs in my back from the rough ride.

[justcuz]

Thats because you were down on the overloads. Once you get on those things there is not much in the way of suspension travel. I put shorter ones in my trucks to allow the springs to work more. Even though the later Chevy truck ones are tapered and have wear pads on the ends, they still are very long and limit spring travel once compressed on to them. I replaced mine with ones from a Tahoe. Much shorter and allow more spring flex before they set down on the overload.

[finch]

my truck sits on the overloads unloaded. there are only two leaves in the main pack and they both rest on the overloads.

[justcuz]

I would swap them out. Measure the length of the spring and were the centerbolt is. I bet you could swap out a set of 3/4 ton springs real easy. I am fairly sure Chevy used the same rear springs in 3/4 ton trucks for the last couple of body styles. That is basically what my 93 is. It is a six lug K2500. The only real difference between it and a 1/2 ton is the rear axle and springs and the front torsion bars. It has a 14 bolt semi floater in back with big drum brakes, 3/4 ton springs and 3/4 ton front torsion bars. The rest of the front suspension is 1/2 ton.