Aftermarket Springs? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

HeavyK20 · 10-06-2003, 01:53 PM

This has probably been discussed a dozen times already but what brand of suspension do you recommend? All I have to go by is offroaddesign.com recommends Tuff Country. I am looking for a 4" lift with as soft of ride as I can get in a K20.

Thanks,
Eric

Mudder · 10-06-2003, 02:27 PM

I have used Tuff Country for a lot of years....I have the heavier springs but thats what I like.

Dean · 10-06-2003, 03:45 PM

I have used Skyjacker Softride on all of my K20s. I have found however that the ride is better in you don't use their nitro shocks. I used the regular skyjacker (hydro?) shocks on my last one and it rode better. It still doesn't ride like a Caddy....lol

**Yukon Jack** · 10-06-2003, 05:52 PM

I'm pretty pleased with the 4" Tuff Country's I've been running. In the process of yanking them and putting in 6" Tuff Country's so you know I must be happy with Tuff Country's products. I am upgrading to better shocks though as I didn't like the Tuff Country shocks to well. Going with Rancho RS9000x's.

**JIMs70GMC** · 10-07-2003, 05:05 AM

I have the TC HD 2" springs and it's too stiff. As soon as I can I'm going to replace them with 6" ez ride springs from TC. Up front 1/2 or 3/4 ton springs are the same. In the rear, supposedly the TC springs help keep load carrying capacity of a 3/4 ton.

**Richard** · 10-07-2003, 11:40 PM

I had read in an article a while back that the Tough Country springs had the lowest spring rate of all the mainstream manufactured "kits" this would mean a softer ride, but I think it would also lead to a bit more settling. The lower spring rate is also why a company that deals with rock crawling would recommend them. IMO nitro shocks are not a good choice with the older rigs. The leafs are shorter (less material to absorb the movement) and most do not have sliders. Shocks are 50% of the ride, sitck with a straight hydrolic shock like the RS5000 and the Tough Country's or another "soft ride" spring and you will be much happier with the outcome.

HeavyK20 · 10-08-2003, 09:30 AM

It sounds like everone agrees that hydraulic shocks are important.

Richard, what is a slider?

**JIMs70GMC** · 10-08-2003, 10:37 AM

I have the hydraulic shocks also, work great!

HeavyK20 · 10-08-2003, 05:48 PM

JIMs70GMC,
I just took a look at your truck. What tires are an it in the snow pictures? Is the 2" lift installed in those pics?

**Richard** · 10-08-2003, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Richard, what is a slider?

If you look at the leaf packs on newer trucks and cars you will see a thin plastic piece inbetween the leafs at the ends. These help to reduce friction between the leafs making them more compliant. Leafs already have built in dampening because of the friction created by leaf movement. Coils do not have this and will generally require more dampening for the same given spring rate. Hope this helps explain.

**JIMs70GMC** · 10-09-2003, 05:20 AM

In the snow: stock springs w/ poly bushings up front. The tires are 325/60R15 BFG All Terrains on 15"x10" American Racing rims. The tires would rub when turning with any suspension flex.

10-06-2003, 01:53 PM	#1
HeavyK20 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: New Richmond, WI Posts: 547	Aftermarket Springs? This has probably been discussed a dozen times already but what brand of suspension do you recommend? All I have to go by is offroaddesign.com recommends Tuff Country. I am looking for a 4" lift with as soft of ride as I can get in a K20. Thanks, Eric __________________ Eric 1969 K20, 465/205 package

10-06-2003, 05:52 PM	#4
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,683	I'm pretty pleased with the 4" Tuff Country's I've been running. In the process of yanking them and putting in 6" Tuff Country's so you know I must be happy with Tuff Country's products. I am upgrading to better shocks though as I didn't like the Tuff Country shocks to well. Going with Rancho RS9000x's. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

10-07-2003, 05:05 AM	#5
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	I have the TC HD 2" springs and it's too stiff. As soon as I can I'm going to replace them with 6" ez ride springs from TC. Up front 1/2 or 3/4 ton springs are the same. In the rear, supposedly the TC springs help keep load carrying capacity of a 3/4 ton. __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

10-07-2003, 11:40 PM	#6
Richard Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Southern California Posts: 2,701	I had read in an article a while back that the Tough Country springs had the lowest spring rate of all the mainstream manufactured "kits" this would mean a softer ride, but I think it would also lead to a bit more settling. The lower spring rate is also why a company that deals with rock crawling would recommend them. IMO nitro shocks are not a good choice with the older rigs. The leafs are shorter (less material to absorb the movement) and most do not have sliders. Shocks are 50% of the ride, sitck with a straight hydrolic shock like the RS5000 and the Tough Country's or another "soft ride" spring and you will be much happier with the outcome. __________________ Richard 1972 K10 Custom Deluxe SWB Fleetside My build https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=800746

10-08-2003, 09:30 AM	#7
HeavyK20 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: New Richmond, WI Posts: 547	It sounds like everone agrees that hydraulic shocks are important. Richard, what is a slider? __________________ Eric 1969 K20, 465/205 package

10-06-2003, 02:27 PM	#2
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,339	I have used Tuff Country for a lot of years....I have the heavier springs but thats what I like.

10-06-2003, 03:45 PM	#3
Dean Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 1,492	I have used Skyjacker Softride on all of my K20s. I have found however that the ride is better in you don't use their nitro shocks. I used the regular skyjacker (hydro?) shocks on my last one and it rode better. It still doesn't ride like a Caddy....lol

10-08-2003, 10:37 AM	#8
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	I have the hydraulic shocks also, work great! __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

10-08-2003, 05:48 PM	#9
HeavyK20 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: New Richmond, WI Posts: 547	JIMs70GMC, I just took a look at your truck. What tires are an it in the snow pictures? Is the 2" lift installed in those pics? __________________ Eric 1969 K20, 465/205 package Last edited by HeavyK20; 10-08-2003 at 05:58 PM.

10-09-2003, 05:20 AM	#11
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	In the snow: stock springs w/ poly bushings up front. The tires are 325/60R15 BFG All Terrains on 15"x10" American Racing rims. The tires would rub when turning with any suspension flex. __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm



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