Rear suspension....what to do???

[vroomy]

Hey guys i finally have my truck on the road after doing a LS swap. So now addressing the rear suspension. It sags pretty bad on the left, already done a diff flip and reckon another inch or so lower would be just right. So far im looking at a set of composite leafs from ridetech or installing the air over leaf setup also from ridetech. What would be better or is there other options out there? Its an everyday driver so im wanting it ride well and handle as good as a truck can, definitely like the low look but needs to be useful and usable.
Any help and ideas would be awesome

Id put up a pic of it but got no idea how to do it

[JohnJ@RideTech]

Originally Posted by vroomy

Hey guys i finally have my truck on the road after doing a LS swap. So now addressing the rear suspension. It sags pretty bad on the left, already done a diff flip and reckon another inch or so lower would be just right. So far im looking at a set of composite leafs from ridetech or installing the air over leaf setup also from ridetech. What would be better or is there other options out there? Its an everyday driver so im wanting it ride well and handle as good as a truck can, definitely like the low look but needs to be useful and usable.
Any help and ideas would be awesome

Id put up a pic of it but got no idea how to do it

In my opinion, I think you would be a good candidate for the composite leaf spring as it is simple and straight forward to install and there is no need to adjust it.
How low are you wanting to go in the rear? Our kit equates to about a 4/6 drop when all of the components are combined. Just the leaf alone wont get you that low but all of the components can be purchased individually to get the ride height you would like.
I will try and get some pictures of the components on our squarebody posted when I get a chance.

[vroomy]

Do you mean by other components the hangers and shackles? Will they feel alot better on the road than air over leaf?

[JohnJ@RideTech]

I do. There are several components in that kit that get the approximate 6in drop in the rear. I will attach a link below for you to check out.
I drove our early C10 to Texas and back about a month ago and the ride quality on that truck is amazing. Looking to get some seat time in the Squarebody but since we finished it its been hard to get into as everyone else wants to drive it as well.
The air over leaf is a nice set up if you want to raise and lower your truck or you are planning on hauling a light load but I think for what you are looking to do, the composite leaf would be a better option and probably perform better with improved ride quality when paired with a good set of shocks. Air over leaf wont do anything for ride quality unless you fix some of the other problems first.
Be sure and check to see what is causing the lean to one side and make sure it isn't a safety hazard.
http://www.ridetech.com/store/1973-1...ip-system.html

[vroomy]

So is there any way of further lowering the rear with this setup? I personally think the best look is the top of the fender covering the first inch of tire, which from what can see would be about the limit without major mods?

[JohnJ@RideTech]

This kit will get you as low as you can go without a c-notch or the center section of your differential hitting the bed floor.

[vroomy]

What postage options are there? I did email someone at ridetech for a shipping cost to australia and it was crazy....over 300$. Are you able to send via usps?

[JohnJ@RideTech]

I do have multiple shipping options. Email me your shipping info and I will see what I can come up with. jjohnson@ridetech.com

[Jstock85]

John, just to clarify, the link you posted will get my truck looking like the one in the picture??Because that truck looks great and thats kinda what I would like get mine to!

[JohnJ@RideTech]

That is the height you will see on your truck. Keep in mind that truck has 255-45R20 tires all the way around so your wheel and tire setup may fill the wheel well differently.
I'm going to try and get it out at lunch and snap some more pictures of it if the weather holds out.

[vroomy]

Emailed you the details

[JohnJ@RideTech]

Ok guys, here are a few more pictures. I apologize that these aren't the best quality but its pouring down rain and I had to take them in the garage. This will give you a pretty good idea of what the components look like installed as well. As you can tell from the undercarriage, we actually drive them.

[Jstock85]

Man that truck looks great! What are the specs on those rims and tires?

[JohnJ@RideTech]

That truck has 255/45R20 all the way around. I am unsure of the back spacing. I think they fill up the wheel well nicely.

[Jstock85]

Thanks!

[JohnJ@RideTech]

Here is a picture of what all comes in the kit incase you guys wanted to check it out.

[Jstock85]

I know this gets a lot of coverage these days and may have been answered already so forgive me if I'm beating a dead horse... I plan to lower my truck sometime in the near future but because of my driveway I can't do the low slam some guys do so my question is: Can I do a rear flip without the C notch in the frame? Thanks

[JohnJ@RideTech]

Originally Posted by Jstock85

I know this gets a lot of coverage these days and may have been answered already so forgive me if I'm beating a dead horse... I plan to lower my truck sometime in the near future but because of my driveway I can't do the low slam some guys do so my question is: Can I do a rear flip without the C notch in the frame? Thanks

Its no big deal at all. I may have not specifically answered that question before but you bring up a very valid point. On the Squarebody kit you are not required to c-notch the frame as there is still a decent amount of travel between the axle tube and the frame rail. You can kind of see that in the picture above. We still retain the factory bump stop, if you would like a little more travel we do offer a shorter bump stop as well but it is not included in the kit. Keep in mind that this kit was designed to get as low as possible without any heavy modifications. On the Squarebody trucks, the center section of your rear end housing will hit the bed floor if you go too low. Be careful using a shorter bump stop.

[Jstock85]

Good info. Thanks John!

[vroomy]

How much real difference would there be in going for a coil conversion kit? Such as a trailing bar or 4 link etc?

[mongocanfly]

Johnj..that truck is super nice..and who says squares arnt desirable and who could ignore a sweet truck like that

[JohnJ@RideTech]

Originally Posted by vroomy

How much real difference would there be in going for a coil conversion kit? Such as a trailing bar or 4 link etc?

It really depends on what your intended use for the truck is. If you are looking for a nice driver that wont break the bank, the StreetGrip is the best option for sure.
If you are looking to autocross or are running a high horsepower LS and you plan on driving the truck hard, then run with the coil over/4-link setup.
Both are great kits but are intended for two different customers.

Will each kit do both? Sure. There is just no need in buying a 4-link/Coil over kit if you just want a nice cruiser and if you are looking to autocross, the StreetGrip kit doesn't provide the tune-ability the Level 2 kit does. It all comes down to intended use.