suspension questions
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Cross-Country
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 87
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From: Tennessee
suspension questions
Hey all(me again). Me and my wife are wanting to start hauling in some rock to build a retaining wall and a few other things only problem is Ole blue dont look like she's up to that. I am wanting to renew(redo/restore) the suspension and am still on a tight budget. If I'm wanting to stay under 1k for the suspension am I better off doing a suspension rebuild with after market peices or upgrade to a basic 2-3" lift. If I go with the lift what do I need to look out for(I'ver never fooled with the suspension on any vehicle other than to help a friend lower a nissan sentre in high shcool(about 13 years ago)). I got online tonight and everybody offers about 10,000 options and I'm not sure what all I need or want to replace. I just know it will take many trips of rock to do this project and blue is needing the new knees anyway to match the new shoes she got(lol). I know these are kinda ametuer questions but I dont know where to start and thought I would start with the pros here. Thanks
I'll have the Roast Duck
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 109
From: Northshore, MN
not to deter ya, but a suspension lift doesn't really increase your load capacity. But a set of overloads would. an add-a-leaf might help too, which woul give ya little bit of lift, but blocks don't help at all. Progressive rate coils in the front wouldn't hurt either.
Last edited by havi; May 20, 2006 at 10:44 PM.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 87
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From: Tennessee
ok...this much I know...quess I shoulda rephrased my ?........ All I really want out of the lift is the newer suspension components...poly bushing,springs,etc. Just wonderin the cheapest(price) but best route. If a rebuild would be cheaper or the basic lift. Dont really need the lift(would be nice) thats why if its the best route I will probably only get 2". Just need good suspension...Thanks for all the help.............I know the suspension I have is in need of facelift...lol...like I said granny needs some new knees, but I think with a new set of knees ole blue would be pretty tough.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 733
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if you just want a little more height in the back and the increased load capacity, you may call around to a few of the junkyards and see if they have springs from an f-250. you can order poly bushings pretty cheap online. it'd be far better to just go with rebuilding instead of the lift kit route. with most kits they only give you blocks, add-a-leaf and full packs (which is what you would need) tend to be really pricey, and you're paying for all that extra stuff you don't want or need, as well as the name. if you need even more than the new springs, a good quality set of overload springs is less than 200 from summit, and that would probably be enough right there to cover your hauling job.
Is that what you're looking for?
Is that what you're looking for?
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
Thanks, this is the kind of info I was more seeking. Like I said I'm kinda green around the suspension stuff. I'll start searching with the info you gave tomorrow. Maybe I can come up with soemthing. Sorry to sound so rookie but I really didnt know where to start. If anyone else has more info please feel free to let me know. Thanks again fordtrucks.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
In regards to the old springs though, if they are sagging, they are weak to begin with, and the springs only flex som amny times, but you well could use the 3/4 springs and be ok. The poly bushings are easy to come by, just getting the old bushings out can be a pain unless you have access to a press. You can generally find a shop that will do it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,635
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From: Niceville, FL.
Consider a set of air shocks for the rear axle. You can get a significant increase in payload plus adjustability as needed.
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Postmaster
Joined: May 2004
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I'm gonna tackle the retaining wall portion of the problem.
Rock walls need very deep foundations.
We've all seen leaning rock pillars and walls...yep, too shallow of a foundation.
I live where there's "soft" limestone, and the masons put in a three foot deep foundation for a six foot wall. I suspect with a bigger, wider footprint it's not so much a problem, but walls are narrow and can lean easily.
Rock walls need very deep foundations.
We've all seen leaning rock pillars and walls...yep, too shallow of a foundation.
I live where there's "soft" limestone, and the masons put in a three foot deep foundation for a six foot wall. I suspect with a bigger, wider footprint it's not so much a problem, but walls are narrow and can lean easily.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Niceville, FL.
fellro86, I had adjustable air shocks on a '73 El Camino (dealer installed option) and an '85 Chev. C-10 short bed (shocks from J.C. Whitney) without any suspension type problems and I carried some serious overloads for short times (lumber, bricks, concrete blocks, etc.) I did have some tire failures and a rear axle bearing failure (on the El Camino, but not sure the added load caused it). The El Camino had a vacuum operated compressor with an underdash regulator so you could control ride height at will, which was really handy. Just guessing but, I think the air shocks probably increased the load carrying capacity of the El Camino by 500-600 lbs. and the C-10 by close to 1000 lbs. I did carry (on the C-10) 10 squares of shingles (~240 lbs./sq.) weighing ~2400 lbs. for three 10 mile trips with no suspension problems at ~90 psi in the shocks (blew a rear tire though).