Shocks and Lift Components

[Sqeejo]

Okay I am in need of some advice. With the new axles I want to piece together the supsension, not a prepackaged kit, and need some expert opinions on a few things.

Shocks - What company makes good shocks. I am leaning towards bilstein but I am not sure what other companies out there really shine.

Secondly, here is what i have listed for purchase but I am unsure if I am missing something.

Shocks
Front 6" springs Tuff Country Ez ride
Hardware to install
Rear ORD shackle Flip
Rear 2" springs Tuff COuntry
HD shackles ORD (rear)
New bushings etc
Steering arm for 6" lift
Steering box brace

Now I know there is a T-case drop I need but didn't list on ORD's site.
Also is there anything that I might be missing for the Chevy?

Note* I am getting new driveshafts from Tom Woods since I am putting in the new axles. I wanted to go CV and be done with it.


Any input from the Tech gurus here?

 

[ryoken]

bilstein gets my vote...

be aware that the ORD flip requires a factory style shackle, if you wanna go with a longer, beefier shackle, might wanna consider the DIY4X flip... his x-tied shackles are nice...

but you may wanna pick up the front HD shackles from ORD to keep those new springs out of the frame... the FUSH kit is a nice upgrade in addition to that..

do both frame braces if you can...

you will need extended brake lines and u-bolts...

you don't wanna drop the t-case, ESPECIALLY if your getting new driveshafts... it's a bandaid fix for rear vibes that only hurts your front angle...

 

[Sqeejo]

bilstein gets my vote...

be aware that the ORD flip requires a factory style shackle, if you wanna go with a longer, beefier shackle, might wanna consider the DIY4X flip... his x-tied shackles are nice...

but you may wanna pick up the front HD shackles from ORD to keep those new springs out of the frame... the FUSH kit is a nice upgrade in addition to that..

do both frame braces if you can...

you will need extended brake lines and u-bolts...

you don't wanna drop the t-case, ESPECIALLY if your getting new driveshafts... it's a bandaid fix for rear vibes that only hurts your front angle...

I'll have to check the DIY4x kit and shackles.

Whats the FUSh kit?

The vibration issue brings up a question, will the CV driveshafts prevent a vibration issue on the 6"? I was trying to research on Tom Woods but their sit is down.

**sorry for the rambling questions***

 

[AJMBLAZER]

How much are you looking to spend on shocks and what are you trying to do with the truck?

I've been running Rough Country's Heckethorn Nitro 9000 shocks. They're nitrogen charged monotubes like a regular Bilstein but they go for about $35 each from JCWhitney. I won't say they're as good as Bilstein HD's or 5100's but for 2/3 to half the price of the Bilsteins they do pretty damn well. Not to mention they're light years better than the other twin tube hydro and nitro shocks everyone else sells for the price.
I have a set on Big Ugly and ran them on my Ranger with success. Kicking myself for buying ACDelco nitrogen stockers for The Blazer and not getting stock sized Nitro 9000's.

 

[Sqeejo]

How much are you looking to spend on shocks and what are you trying to do with the truck?

Its going to be a dual purpose rig with a over 50% of the time on the asphalt. (sadly probably close to 75% given my time constaints anymore) However when I go play, I want to play hard.

Money is not really as important as quality. I just want to make sure that I have a quality shock because I've ridden on junk and I have ridden on good and must say that there is a world of difference. But if I had to put a price cap on them i would say $100 is my limit seeing as I am buying six of them.

Now that being said, with the dual shocks up front whats the recommended lenth and length of travel for the shocks?

 

[AJMBLAZER]

If it has dual shocks just run a single up front. Dual shock setups for these were from the era when nitrogen charged monotubes were half voodoo and the realm of German sports cars and not fullsize trucks. They just did it so the craptastic hydro twin tubes of the era could keep the front suspension dampened if you were running a plow hanging off the front or a heavy engine.

Today, totally worthless unless you're jumping it and even then a better setup would be optimal.

 

[ryoken]

http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/FUSH.htm

if you go CV, you need to set your rear pinion angle straight at the transfer case, minus a couple degrees.. whereas a non-cv, you want equal angles, front and back...

perfect time to do it....

and as said, ditch the duals.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

The vibration issue brings up a question, will the CV driveshafts prevent a vibration issue on the 6"? I was trying to research on Tom Woods but their sit is down.

**sorry for the rambling questions***

If you point the pinion at the t-case output (i.e. put shims under the rear springs), you won't have any vibes. That's the whole idea of using a CV shaft

 

[Sqeejo]

Today, totally worthless unless you're jumping it and even then a better setup would be optimal.

Have you been watching me drive....

Lol No i don't think jumping is giong to be in my future. Guess I am good to run with the one.

if you go CV, you need to set your rear pinion angle straight at the transfer case, minus a couple degrees.. whereas a non-cv, you want equal angles, front and back...

Meaning front and rear axles at the same angles towards the transfer or both in a straight line towards the repsective output. (just clarifying) I tend to be a tard sometimes when I read.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Meaning front and rear axles at the same angles towards the transfer or both in a straight line towards the repsective output. (just clarifying) I tend to be a tard sometimes when I read.

For the rear, you adjust the angle of the pinion yoke so that it points at the t-case output. This makes the operating angle of the u-joint on that side 0 degrees (which will not vibrate). The angle on the t-case side doesn't matter too much, the cv will basically eliminate any vibrations (again, that's the point of a cv shaft)

As for the front, if you point the pinion at the t-case you will throw off the caster and the truck will wander like crazy. Besides, how often do you drive in 4WD at speeds high enough to notice driveline vibrations?

 

[Sqeejo]

Besides, how often do you drive in 4WD at speeds high enough to notice driveline vibrations?

Well there was that time we were filming for cops.....

So front angle is kind of a moot point as long as its not too severe right?