At one of the gambler events I saw a sticker that said "trail fixes are repairs, if you just leave it that way".
CK5
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The rear springs in this truck are heavy duty G50 RPO which in later years they called the Big 10.
Today I figured out that also means they are 56" long. So basically 3/4 ton springs.
They have 7 leaves plus the overload.
I put drop shackles in quite a while ago but still wanted it lower. Today I pulled 2 leaves, they were the 2 that didn't have the friction pads at the ends; figured those were good choices.
That lowered the rear 1" making it 1" taller than the front. There's a chance it'll settle down another 1/2" after some driving. Not the best picture because it was dark. And the driveway is sloped.
I'm measuring the heights off the body line at the center of the wheel. And the front suspension is still factory.
Today I figured out that also means they are 56" long. So basically 3/4 ton springs.
They have 7 leaves plus the overload.
I put drop shackles in quite a while ago but still wanted it lower. Today I pulled 2 leaves, they were the 2 that didn't have the friction pads at the ends; figured those were good choices.
That lowered the rear 1" making it 1" taller than the front. There's a chance it'll settle down another 1/2" after some driving. Not the best picture because it was dark. And the driveway is sloped.
I'm measuring the heights off the body line at the center of the wheel. And the front suspension is still factory.
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I like the stance of it. Looks usable, but clearly not sitting factory anymore.
It'll be interesting to see how it takes a load. Previously the suspension never dropped much even when loaded with a bed mounded full of mulch. The only time I saw it look like it was loaded was the time my wife hauled over 1000lbs of bricks. May not want to try that anymore.
After looking at it more, I don't think I would want to chase the last inch to make it truly level. With how the rear fender openings are shorter on these trucks, I think it would look like it was squatting. Honestly part of the reason I wanted to drop it a little more was for getting in and out. I felt like it required just a little hitch up to get in and I was thinking losing the inch might make it just a little smoother getting in and out. That would also help my mom for the few times she rides with me.
Just to clarify in case anyone wonders in the future, the front suspension is factory.
After looking at it more, I don't think I would want to chase the last inch to make it truly level. With how the rear fender openings are shorter on these trucks, I think it would look like it was squatting. Honestly part of the reason I wanted to drop it a little more was for getting in and out. I felt like it required just a little hitch up to get in and I was thinking losing the inch might make it just a little smoother getting in and out. That would also help my mom for the few times she rides with me.
Just to clarify in case anyone wonders in the future, the front suspension is factory.
I just noticed in my picture it almost looks like I'm hauling that tank in the background.
If I wasn't such a nice guy, there's a pretty good joke there to be made...
Sancho had the same springs and the G50 "Heavy Duty" package. Sold the springs last weekend actually.
You are such a nice guy!
I was surprised to learn they are 56". I was thinking about just buying new springs and I would have been pretty disappointed because I was looking at 52" springs.
I was thinking it's neat that GM had kind of a legacy of the "heavy 1/2 ton" trucks. I knew they had the Big 10 for awhile. In the early 2000's we were looking for a newer 1500HD because they had the 6.0L. Then to find out they did the heavy half in the earliest squarebodies too. Maybe I'm just a nerd.
I like the stance. I was planning on taking some leafs out as well.. I also have 7 leafs and the overload.. Ii was thinking maybe id take the overload spring out but after seeing this, seems like a much more logical idea since i would want to still haul the odd thing as well.
The belltech kit i bought shows having to cut one of the bed supports on either side to fit the drop shackle up there. Hoping i dont have to but ill box it in if i do. So your front is stock height, the rear is down 2 inches from the shackle, and 1 3/4 inches from the leaf removal ?
This is where I've been parking since installing the PF4 several months ago. It always makes me so happy to see no drips.
Since the new bowtie insert I bought is already flaking paint, I wanted to replace it. I kinda like some of the newer versions so I picked up one off ebay. It ended up being bigger than I intended because the measurements they gave were for the gold part and not including the chrome surround. But I don't hate it.
Looks good to me
My mom had the 2 on her Trax covered with American flag sticker. Did not like the gold on the silver car.
One of our employees has a Trax that's dark red and the bowties on it are black. IMO, that would have been a better look on a silver car.
I was actually thinking the gold goes pretty good with the purple-gray paint color.
I think some of the bowties on the squarebody grills are a little on the too small side.
Yeah, I probably moved them down too far. I just turned the screws out 2 full turns for the drive home.
