New shockss, what should go in next?

[EdPDX]

My 85 M1009 just got new Bilstein shocks. I was planning on swapping in some new poly bushings for the suspension. Is a ride this old in need of helper spring or a new set of leafs? Should I keep the original set in and add-a-leaf?

What other suspension upgrades should I make- not thinking about a lift yet, so shocks, bushings... A new sway bar? Will a steering damper help? Anything you think I could use to sweeten the ride I'd love to hear your opinion.

Ed

 

[sweetk30]

i have rode in a truck with small lift springs like 4" and 33-35" tires with all polly bushings and greasable bolts. even had the shackle flip rear.

all i can say is wow. and my mommy even rode in the truck and was vary suprised at the ride.

reason for better ride in polly over rubber is the polly floats 360* with no binding. the rubber is hot molded to the steel sleave inner/outer. then the rubber bushing is pushed in the leaf/suspension part. when tight it will twist some but then want to twist back to orignal position .

all my rigs get polly now.

and dont do add-a-leafs. thay are vary stiff leafs and make them ride real hard.

also dont waste your time on the rebushing of the stock front springs. but do check the condition of the shackle hanger bushings on the front leafs.

 

[EdPDX]

bump

 

[63chevyll]

You said no lift, but a 4 inch lift is so nice for most Chevy trucks Imo, but that would require new shocks or relocate the brackets.

Everything else... well if it ain't broke, don't fix it unless your ready for some lift

 

[bot0611]

well if it ain't broke, don't fix it unless your ready for some lift

Pretty much this sums it up..
If the bushings are ok then why change them, althoug you will feel a lightly better ride what bilsteins you get? 5100? might want to check the sway bar bushings most of the time they get overlooked and never changed.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

If the truck is stock I'm betting he got the regular ol' Bilstein HD truck shocks.

I'm slowly redoing/restoring/improving The Blazer's stock suspension and steering. I really don't plan on lifting it any time soon as it has to fit under a 7' door jam and mine has one of the dealer installed rear wings. However I should be able to restore the stock ride height and 33" tires.

If you plan on lifting it I'd say repair what needs to be repaired for now and only do the stuff that won't get replaced with a lift. I've done a bunch of steering stuff and it's all helped the drivability a lot. ORD bolt on brace, XJ shaft, replaced the drag link ends, had it aligned, etc etc etc. Can't believe I drove it across the country before.

I myself am slowly looking into replacement leaf springs as my rears have a sag and lean to one side. The big question is the where to get the springs from and how much to pay? JCWhitney can get me a full set for under $600 while Eaton Detroit can probably get me a full set for under $1000. Then the question comes up of quality, weight ratings and do they meet OEM specs in regards to the JCWhitney stuff.

Lots of stuff you can do to these trucks, even in a stockish configuration. Production vehicles are always a compromise and most of our suspension components were designed in the early 70's. A bunch of the aftermarket stuff is a good upgrade if you have to replace components anyway.