suspension

[4u2nv]

What is this suspension under my 87 k10 short box, it looks way to beefy for a k10.
Is it k20 ????

[kipps]

I've got a 87 v20(same as k20) pickup with stock suspension. The front leafs are nearly flat, not arched like those. It only has two or three leafs in the front, not that stack.

I don't think you can go much by the number of leaves in determining the weight capacity. Different aftermarket companies would build them with different spring rates per leaf, different widths, thicknesses, quantities, etc.

[Mike C]

Aftermarket 4" lift spring with raised steering arm in the front and 4" lift blocks in the rear.

[sweetk30]

Originally Posted by Mike C

Aftermarket 4" lift spring with raised steering arm in the front and 4" lift blocks in the rear.

and a add - a - leaf in the rear also .

what color spring eye bushings up front ? this tends to help id the brand . or is there any stickers or inked on part no's ?

[4u2nv]

Originally Posted by sweetk30

and a add - a - leaf in the rear also .

what color spring eye bushings up front ? this tends to help id the brand . or is there any stickers or inked on part no's ?

I just switched all the bushings out to new ones , they where poly a dull orange colour , didn't see any markings.
Thanks for the help , now I know what's under it.

[sweetk30]

they were prob red before fade out .

could be a few brands of lift that run that color . makes it a bit harder to narrow it down . but if i had to guess off the pack style and leaf count up front and popular for there CHEEP price point rough country . i dont run them tho as there is a reason there so cheep in price . the ride is real stiff over other brands .

[4u2nv]

I replaced them with energy susp.

['63GENIII]

Originally Posted by sweetk30

and a add - a - leaf in the rear also .

what color spring eye bushings up front ? this tends to help id the brand . or is there any stickers or inked on part no's ?

Good eye on that add a leaf!

[4u2nv]

Another question on the steering , it turns nice and sharp the one way and not near as sharp the other way , couldn't of been like that from original ???

[sweetk30]

your reaching the limits of push/pull stock steering at this lift height and still being effective both ways .

most guys now swap in crossover steering kit and it makes it so much better .

[kwmech]

Looks more like a 6'' lift kit---and the steering shock is mounted wrong on the housing

[4u2nv]

Originally Posted by kwmech

Looks more like a 6'' lift kit---and the steering shock is mounted wrong on the housing

Give me more on that please

[Richard]

For a quick and easy fix swap the pitman arm on steering box for a 2" drop version and you will be back in the ballpark. It will get the draglink close to level. Might want to think about adding swaybar drop brackets or better yet the ORD swaybar disconnect with shackles. Will help with spring movement.

[sweetk30]

Originally Posted by Richard

For a quick and easy fix swap the pitman arm on steering box for a 2" drop version and you will be back in the ballpark. It will get the draglink close to level. Might want to think about adding swaybar drop brackets or better yet the ORD swaybar disconnect with shackles. Will help with spring movement.

x2 on this info . just dont let the link get level or slopped to the box from the axle . or you will get bump steer problems.

and more info on 6" = rear block at 3.5"-4" and a ADD-A-LEAF = 6"

[kwmech]

Originally Posted by 4u2nv

Give me more on that please

Which part?

[4u2nv]

Originally Posted by kwmech

Which part?

the wrong mounting of shock

[4u2nv]

Here's a pic of the steering pitman arm , I don't know if it's stock or not ????

[57taskforce]

Yea that looks stock to me, personally I’m a bigger fan of the raised steering arm on the axle but that’s just my opinion.

[Richard]

Originally Posted by 57taskforce

Yea that looks stock to me, personally I’m a bigger fan of the raised steering arm on the axle but that’s just my opinion.

If you look at the first pics he already has a raised steering arm. Because springs are 6"+, more correction is necessary to get stock type turning at ride height.
@4u2nv Pitman arm on steering box is stock. Change it to a 2" drop. As I mentioned the steering arm has already been changed.

[sweetk30]

and sway bar kit from one of these guys to avoid the drop brackets .

yes stock box / pitman arm . needs a drop arm now i see that angle .

steering shock is on the bottom of the axle bracket . needs to set on top of the bracket . pull bolt and move on top and reinstall bolt and good to go .

disconect kit https://www.offroaddesign.com/swayba...gm-trucks.html

but side note our square truck this tall and spring packs like you have now the sway bar does almost nothing so lots of guys just remove them . the stock gm springs were real soft and these lift springs are stiffer and dont need it as much . but thats personal preference . that sway bar the way it is now is got the front end so bound up from pulling forward and then the shackles wana flex back its fighting its self .

i run a k10 with 1ton axles and 6" lift / 3" body lift and 38x12.50x16.5 tsl swampers for years no sway bar and no problems .

and if you dont have one up in there get one of these quick before the frame breaks .

73-80 frame https://www.offroaddesign.com/bolt-i...wd-trucks.html

81-87-91 frame https://www.offroaddesign.com/bolt-i...wd-trucks.html

[4u2nv]

Thanks all , looks like I will be doing some changes.
By removing the front sway bar will that improve some ride quality ???

[57taskforce]

Originally Posted by Richard

If you look at the first pics he already has a raised steering arm. Because springs are 6"+, more correction is necessary to get stock type turning at ride height.
@4u2nv Pitman arm on steering box is stock. Change it to a 2" drop. As I mentioned the steering arm has already been changed.

Good catch Richard, I only skimmed over everything and had to go back and re read it all. I missed the first time around he was that high. The dropped pitman will get you a lot closer, however if you can swing it, I’d look into crossover. I bet as a whole you’d be happier with that route, it’s pretty pricy though so I get that side of it.

[sweetk30]

Originally Posted by 4u2nv

Thanks all , looks like I will be doing some changes.
By removing the front sway bar will that improve some ride quality ???

remove or do the disconect kit yes it will let the axle move more the way it needs to .

think of it in its current setup its holding it in 1 place and not letting it flex .

[Richard]

Good recommendations by 57taskforce and sweetk30. By to look of your front springs they are of the stiffer variety. I am installing crossover on my truck. It is nice but I do not think it is necessary without a flexy suspension. I will have a 4 link with coilovers. As far as the swaybar, removing it would help as much as adding the disconnect kit. Obviously removing it is cheaper than adding the disconnect kit. Removing it costs nothing but time. You can put it back in.

[kwmech]

The shock should be parallel like the drag link. Remove the shock from the axle housing mount and put it on top, 1 nut and lockwasher-- rotate the shock housing, tighten nut from bottom----will take about 4-5 minutes