Where to start with suspension upgrades

[Drunktank]

So here's the deal.... I wanna swap out the suspension on the ******* wagon to some higher performance equipment.... but where to start?

Endo goal: have a truck that can handle dirt/sand trails like a champ, maybe even put a few inches of clear sky under the tires on occasion, and increase its ability to perform/maneuver on the highway. This is my daily driver, work truck so it has to maintain a certain level of professional look to it since I haul around .gov officials and company VPs fairly often... so bed racks, light towers, and fiberglass fenders (though i yern for 37's). Lucky.... suspension and under the hood improvements are hidden from view so I have options! Another thing: I need to be able to haul at least two dirtbikes and associated gear (750-1000lbs) in the bed and I want to still be able to negotiate the roadway without feeling like my damn truck is going to roll over.

Ha! Simple enough, right???

Considering Im not made of money, most my mods will be one at a time and have to build on eachother. So what would be the order you'd attack the suspension based on whats going to give me the biggest initial improvement?

Heres my GUESS but I honestly dont have a fawking clue on what the poorest performer in the stock suspension is:

1) Leaf Springs
2) Rear Shocks
3) Upper Control Arms
4) Coil overs
5) Rear Bumpstops/frame brace

Let me know what you all think. End of the day, this thing wont be a race truck so things like having crazy multiple shock setups on the front probably wont do **** for me. But at the same time... if there's some aftermarket LCA/UCA/CO setup that doesnt require chopping and rewelding towers and gives some pretty sweet improvement... Id totally be willing to go down that route.

 

[HAYNES OFFROAD]

Youve actually got a great list of stuff already!

Bumpstop kits, suchs as the SVC ABS, is a good start to look, gives height adjustabilty of the bumps for differant scenarios (i.e towing, offroad, street) and coupled with deaver leafs will be a huge improvment in handling and comfort. This will also work well for hauling your bikes and gear in towing mode as well.

Upgrading to 3.0s all around is definitly a good option if you dont want to cut/weld, as they are essentially factory replacements and will pretty much bolt right on. Ride/performance will be on a whole nother level. Its amazing how much harder you can drive the truck off road with a properly setup 3.0.

FOX is a really good choice, as offroad perforance is greatly increased, while not sacrificing on road comfort, if not better. The DSC option puts the front coilovers on another level of adjustability as well.

Getting a UCA is good start on strengtheing the front. The SVC UCA is a great option, as it allows relativly easy camber/caster adjustments, as well as easier adjustments of the front coilovers, being that it is a 2 piece design.

As far as order to due mods i would do;

1)bump stop kit
2)deaver leafs (if you dont do same time as bump kit)
3)front coilovers
4)rear triple bypass (if you dont do same time as front)
5)UCA


Let me know if have questions about these products, i would be more than happy to help.

-Joseph Haynes

 

[oxfordraptor]

With so many suspension kits being brought out right now, I would wait and start with the basics on the rear end and then do some research on available options depending on the route you want. Cantilever, Stage 4, etc.

I would personally start with a frame support kit and then get bump stops for it. Once you have that, new leaf springs. That should set you back a couple grand and then give you time to research the suspension route you want without having to replace anything along the way if you change routes.

Will make the rear end much more firm, planted and responsive as well as keep you from ******* your frame up if you jump like a mad man. Good luck.

 

[RLTW]

Your list is on point, I would do leafsprings ( most felt modification you can do for ride quality) then bumpstops, followed by 3.0s, and then uca's. Most of the kits offered by vendors are quality, fox, icon, king, rpg, svc, etc etc. I like icons new rear setup being released, really impressed me at havoc, of course then you're getting your rear shock, leafs, and bumpstops all from them.

 

[JayLV]

As other's have said, I feel your list is good.

3.0's, Deaver +3 and a bumpstop kit is plenty.

The guys who are recommending UCA's, I have a serious question. Has anyone ever heard of anyone breaking UCA's while running a relatively stock setup all around? I feel like strengthening a part that isn't necessarily too stressed is going to stress the rest of the suspension system, but what do I know.

If you're going to piece it out:
Step 1: Deaver's
Step 2: Bumpstop kit
Step 3: 3.0

You'll be really surprised what the stock truck is capable of, the first 2 steps will provide the most immediate and noticeable difference. 3.0s you'll notice once you really really push the truck. Down in Baja one of the guys was in a bone stock truck and keeping up with the fastest of us just fine.

 

[Bulletnjm]

The most important suspension upgrade is you. Learn to drive it right. Even with the best suspension, shit can and will break if you dont know how to use it.

 

[Hockster]

!. I recommend the rear springs first since the wheel hop is crazy bad on that stock spring.
2. rear shocks first unless you can afford all 4 at once.
3. Front shocks(if you did the rear first)
4. Bump stop is a must if you are planning on hitting anything big bump wise

As far as strengthening things in the front suspension I am not a very big fan unless you are going all the way with your truck. Every time you strengthen something in the suspension you change the design and transfer forces somewhere else. So, different offset wheels, heaver tires, add stronger upper arms and tie rods while still using a stock steering rack can be a problem. I see many breaking racks/pumps. Unless you have the cash and you dont care about fixing yourself i dont do the big mods until its out of warranty.

 

[RLTW]

You make a good point with not seeing many broken uca's, i do do like the adjustability i have with my uca's though

 

[JayLV]

You make a good point with not seeing many broken uca's, i do do like the adjustability i have with my uca's though

Adjustability is nice. But you're running 37's and upgraded tie rods, etc. Those things stress the system and warrant upgrading other suspension components to make the system safer/stronger all around.

I think for OP's goals he'll be alright with just the basics and once he can outdrive the stock Fox Shocks he should think about 3.0s. It doesn't sound like he wants to be the next Robby Gordon so he should be fine with that.

 

[RLTW]

Adjustability is nice. But you're running 37's and upgraded tie rods, etc. Those things stress the system and warrant upgrading other suspension components to make the system safer/stronger all around.

I think for OP's goals he'll be alright with just the basics and once he can outdrive the stock Fox Shocks he should think about 3.0s. It doesn't sound like he wants to be the next Robby Gordon so he should be fine with that.

I don't disagree.