DIY Installing suspension kits

[DouglasEsh]

Is there anyone that has installed a suspension kit on there own? If so which one and how hard was it? I've been toying with getting a new suspension for my TB but would have to do it myself.

[Envoy Fan]

Is there anyone that has installed a suspension kit on there own? If so which one and how hard was it? I've been toying with getting a new suspension for my TB but would have to do it myself.

What you mean by a suspension kit? Coil springs or air bags or ?

Several posters on here have lowered with Ground Force, Eibach and other makers.

There are spacers that will also permit a small lift on the TB.

[Cmdrrjc]

Are you lowering it or lifting?

[islandmahn]

I just installed the Ground Force drop coils (1.3" front 3" rear).

I have a few pics from the install but have not posted any yet.

If you have all the right tools it wont be hard, but it might be tedious.

I didn't have all the right tools at first so it was also very fustrating.:duh:

[DouglasEsh]

I'm looking at lowering the truck. Probably one of the kits that have been mentioned on this forum. I'm thinking spring kit but wouldn't rule out an air ride system. My understanding of air ride systems though is that they are expensive. The important part is ease of installation. I would want something that is pretty much a bolt in place kit rather than something that takes some fabrication (ie drilling into frames, welding). While I can do some fabrication I'm not comfortable doing it. I also don't like the idea of messing with compress springs or shocks but I think this is a natural hazzard of replacing a suspension system.

What I'm trying to do is to make the truck more stable at speed not just pretty.

[Envoy Fan]

I just installed the Ground Force drop coils (1.3" front 3" rear).

I have a few pics from the install but have not posted any yet.

If you have all the right tools it wont be hard, but it might be tedious.

I didn't have all the right tools at first so it was also very fustrating.:duh:

:yes: Looking forward to the install pics.:yes:

[Cmdrrjc]

Well funny you asked because I installed mine in today at 8 in the morning. You really need the right tools to do this project. Honestly it would have taken all day if not. I went with the BellTech BEL-140. Just 4 springs, 2 bump stops, and rear shocks. You will need a spring compressor. There just isn't a way around it. It took about 2 hours. Air ride is cool, but it will bounce a lot while you drive. The BellTech is good for me at least because it is a bit stiffer than the stock. That is what I was told before and I felt it today. So my recommendation is BellTech because it was not difficult to install and it didnt sacrifice the ride. For this project you cannot be afriad to take out bolts and parts. You need to be able to lower the control arm a bit more in order to remove the springs and its mounts.

[DouglasEsh]

I can remove bolts and parts all day long, it's drilling new holes that always worries me. I always worry that the hole I drill would end up out of line. I really don't like the idea of an out of line hole in the suspension area. You didn't have to drill any new holes did you? With springs, I've probably just seen to many OHSA films showing people missing fingers and hands from acidents with springs. Charged springs can do a world of damage when your not careful.:no:

Anyone else lowered there own suspension?

[Cmdrrjc]

You didn't have to drill any new holes did you?

No drilling whatsoever. I give 3/5 on difficulty.

[islandmahn]

There is no drilling for the GF kits also, just nuts and bolts

[Cmdrrjc]

Just updated my gallery if you wanted to see the 2/3 BellTech drop. Let me know what you think, please! :)

[islandmahn]

I also have a few new pics in the gallery

[DouglasEsh]

Both of them look better on the new suspension. It really cleans that dead space there above the tires. The only thing is that they both look like there is a bigger gap at the top on the front than on the back. I can't tell if it is just the color of the trucks or if there really is a bigger gap. BTW Cmdrrjc, I noticed that you have a trailer hitch on the back. How is the new suspension going to work with towing?

[Cmdrrjc]

Cmdrrjc, I noticed that you have a trailer hitch on the back. How is the new suspension going to work with towing?
[/COLOR]

That's the thing, I do not tow a thing! I use it b/c I had one on my last car and when I got rear ended I actually had no damage while the other guy did. If not my whole back bumper would have cracked in half. It is there for precaution. I cannot control what speed they hit me at but it can prevent damage from people who lighten up on the brakes when at a stop light and later resulting in them hitting you. That was what happened to me. I tow nothing and probably never will, if I have too I have another car to do that.

[islandmahn]

It does look like there is a bigger gap in the front but I think its because the fender is higher in the front. The truck is level and don't ride like its higher in the front

[Envoy Fan]

That's the thing, I do not tow a thing! I use it b/c I had one on my last car and when I got rear ended I actually had no damage while the other guy did. If not my whole back bumper would have cracked in half. It is there for precaution. I cannot control what speed they hit me at but it can prevent damage from people who lighten up on the brakes when at a stop light and later resulting in them hitting you. That was what happened to me. I tow nothing and probably never will, if I have too I have another car to do that.

In my opinion, the trailer hitch on the back of a vehicle should be illegal:yes:

A guy backed into my wife's car with one and caused over $1000 damage to front end. :eek: Oh, and the driver didn't stop either. :mad: It's redneck deco :m2:

[Cmdrrjc]

Redneck or not...it save me a couple $$. Plus it wasn't my fault the person let up on the gas. It was either his car or mine...

[jimmyjam]

you should get one of those horizontal pipe hitch covers if thats your intention. it'll save your car but won't totally destroy the other one.

Don't you run the risk of bending your frame by having that hitch sticking out when getting rear ended? Isn't that the point of having a bumper, so there is padding in front of you're car's rigid structure?

I am a victim of being reversed into by someone with a trailer hitch... :no: not nice...

[Cmdrrjc]

Well the good thing is I'M not running into people and that's what count, right? Plus if I'm at fault ..hey I'll pay for the damages...but beside that I'll be ok

[DouglasEsh]

In my opinion, the trailer hitch on the back of a vehicle should be illegal:yes:

A guy backed into my wife's car with one and caused over $1000 damage to front end. :eek: Oh, and the driver didn't stop either. :mad: It's redneck deco :m2:

Redneck deco? I acutally used my TB to tow when I was back in the states. I had a nice 10' enclosed trailer with ramp. When I get back I'm looking at getting one that can pull double duty as a camper. I just got to work out the load to work with the suprizingly little tow capacity of the TB. A new lower suspension will probably reduce the tow capacity down to a point that all you can do is tow a lawn mower.

[rcam81]

I got hit last week by a girl checking her text messages on her cell phone. If my hitch insert would have been in the hitch I would have taken out her radiator too instead of just the bumper and the grill.

[Jman423]

I also have a few new pics in the gallery
Sorry, most of those pics were deleted beacuse they did not comply with the gallery rules. Please make sure that the only pics in your gallery are of things that are on your truck. Parts and anything else that doesn't apply to your truck are not permitted in the gallery as stated in huge red letters when you are uploading pics.

[dach95]

Are people dropping their TB's for better traction control? I thought the higher up the more bad and mean you look.:D Anyhow, I'm new to all this and wonder why people are dropping their TBs. Here in NYC, the winter is coming and I would rather raise my TB to than dropping. What your thoughts.

[jimmyjam]

1. cornering 2. rear end feels better connected on the highway

[DouglasEsh]

It all depends on which way you want to take the truck. Some want to put 6in lift kits and 33" rock crawlers for off roading. If that is what you want great, I've seen some nice rides and seen some amazing things done by these types of trucks. I myself want street performance since the most off roading I intend to do is a dirt road and if it snows the truck is getting parked because to many people don't know how to drive. That is why I don't have a 4wd :eek: Besides you've never tried to shoehorn a Trailvoy into a German parking garage. My appartment is one of the few with owners of full size trucks because it is one of the few buildings you can get one into. Last thing I would want to do is to make it even harder to park.

BTW winter is coming to everyone in the northern hemisphere not just NYC:D Just some have milder winters than others but they pay for it in the summer.

[Dacomputernerd]

I prefer a lift for the Trailvoy platform. But some vehicles look better dropped then lifted. Personally i like the more offroad look, but to each his own.:yes: My cousin has an Escalade and has it on airbags, and it looks great. Also some of the TrailVoys on here look sweet with drops:yes:

[ScarabEpic22]

I agree, dropping or lifting all has to do with what you want to do with your TrailVoy.

Lifting for medium to severe offroad (duh!:D ) or lowering for an everyday street driver with some mild offroading. If I ever did anything to my TB, it would probably be lowering about 1.5 front and back (eibach kit).

I like the aggressiveness of the TrailBlazers being lifted (though I have seen some pretty cool lowered ones here) and Envoys being dropped. As for the other GMT-360/370s, cant say as I havent seen many Raniers (maybe 1), Ascenders (1), Bravada (2), or 9-7/Xs (0). There are only a few Saab dealers near me, so Im not surprised about that one. I like the Bravadas though, just from passing them in my TB. The front end seems a lot milder than the TB, but maybe Im biased (heck yes!:D )

[jimmyjam]

or lowering for an everyday street driver with some mild offroading. if by mild offroading you mean very smooth and even ground at low speeds, yes. I've had my fair share of scrapes with the GF springs.

I went lower because I have no intention of going offroad with my car, road handling is all I am concerned about. lift kits look cool but, for me, have no practical use. plus I saw envoyfan's old ride when I first got my car and knew I had to do it.

[clone1008]

Yes,

I agree it's a preference. If mine was 4WD I would have raised it. Since it's 2WD, I lowered it. I couldn't stand the look with it's rear end in the air. As to the hitch thing...I use mine all the time to pull a 23' deck boat that weighs 6000 lbs. loaded. When I dropped it (pics in gallery) I had to use the air bag springs. What a difference lowering and air bags make in the ride!:yes::yes::yes:

[ScarabEpic22]

Yea, if I dropped my TB, I would definately have to get the right size air lift kit to go with them so I can still tow my boats. But first, I need the air lift kit for the standard suspension and compressor so I dont have to worry about the rear sagging anymore.

[clone1008]

Yea, if I dropped my TB, I would definately have to get the right size air lift kit to go with them so I can still tow my boats. But first, I need the air lift kit for the standard suspension and compressor so I dont have to worry about the rear sagging anymore.
I promise you it will make all the difference in the world! I thought my boat was off center on my trailer because of the severe "fishtailing" at 60 mph. When they go to coil springs in the rear for a more "car like ride" they sacrifice the towing capabilities. The air bags make a huge difference. Probably the biggest improvement I've done.:D

[ScarabEpic22]

I promise you it will make all the difference in the world! I thought my boat was off center on my trailer because of the severe "fishtailing" at 60 mph. When they go to coil springs in the rear for a more "car like ride" they sacrifice the towing capabilities. The air bags make a huge difference. Probably the biggest improvement I've done.:D
Thanks for the added boost of confidence for my plans.:D

I will have a set installed, by the latest, next spring to get ready for boating season.

Also, about how long did it take you to install them with the onboard compressor?

[clone1008]

Thanks for the added boost of confidence for my plans.:D

I will have a set installed, by the latest, next spring to get ready for boating season.

Also, about how long did it take you to install them with the onboard compressor?

The whole kit including the onboard compressor and controls took about 3 hours to install.;)

[DouglasEsh]

How hard was it to install the air bag setup?

[clone1008]

How hard was it to install the air bag setup?
Not hard at all. Here's a very informative link on it.....
http://www.truckworld.com/How-To-Tech/02-airlift-1000install/02-airlift1000.html

[DouglasEsh]

Yea, it's starting to look like I'm going to have to do this sooner than I had anticipated. I was traveling down the autobahn tonight and the truck was real squirrelly. Bouncing back and forth in the lane where it usually is pretty smooth. Normally when I travel this stretch of road it pretty stable, not tonight. That air bag system is starting to look even better after reading the article. Probably need to do it the same time I switch the suspension out. Hit everything in one blow.

[Uno3whO]

Not hard at all. Here's a very informative link on it.....
http://www.truckworld.com/How-To-Tech/02-airlift-1000install/02-airlift1000.html


Do you have any pictures of your setup? How long does it take to fill up the airbags? Where did you mount the compressor?

[ScarabEpic22]

Thanks again for the time est. of 3 hours. Thats no time at all, so doing it in an afternoon would be no problem. I really need to get some of these things installed!