'88 Suburban sagging rear end- options?

[Erik N]

My 1988 3/4 ton Suburban V20 4x4 has sagging rear springs. I sometimes tow a trailer with it, and it becomes apparent that the rear-end is overloaded- it feels like the springs have gone soft. I think it has the longer 56" rear springs. The vehicle has rear A/C.

Hellwig makes a couple of options for add-a-leafs, but they say none of them will work with a rear-A/C model. The Hellwig e-mail tech support is weak at best... does anyone here know why? The truck is in another state now, so I can't go look if there are lines in the way. I would be surprised if the A/C lines ran there, though.
http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/hellwig-helper-springs/chevy-gmc/suburban-blazer-tahoe-yukon

ORD makes a 1" lift-block that would work to level it, but I don't think they will help with the towing.
http://offroaddesign.com/catalog/Zero Rates.htm

New springs for a reasonable cost.
http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=7356

Thoughts or experiences? Thanks guys!

 

[bftank]

nice burb! i vote airbags instead of helper springs. i have no idea how the ac would interfere, mine has ac as well and the lines are tucked out of the way.

firestone, air ride and hellwig all sell airbag kits. should be around $230 or so. if your springs are sagged unloaded then the 1" leveling block will help without making it stiffer. the air bags will help when you are loaded.

also check out rock auto for new springs as well.

 

[zukrider]

well, you should have 56" springs. the a/c lines run in the inner fender close to to frame, so the add a leaf brackets may contact. the ord zero rates are good, but i agree wont help with towing. if you do go that route, diy4x.com are cheaper.

the "best" route would be to go to a local yard, and pull a couple leafs from another spring pack set, get some new center bolts, and swap them in til your happy. this will ride the best.

 

[chilliwak]

Erik, now that your springs are probably 23 years old, they are probably in need of replacement. I would go for new springs, and you will need to pay attention to all related components, including shocks. I recently installed a Hellwig rear sway bar and have been very impressed with the results. New Bilsein 5150 shocks are great too, as they work well in my rig. Keep us updated with your choice. When you get along to the install, then please post some pics....

 

[lstzephyr]

This is something I will have to address with my dodge as well. I am currently thinking shackle flip and perhaps adding a junkyard leaf or two. That said my case is actually the front being too high, not sagging rears so I may simply go with a zero rate and call it good.

I think that adding a leaf from a junkyard pack with a new center bolt would be best in your case. Do you have overloads? If not, adding overloads may work well. Perhaps upgrading to 1-ton springs may work. FWIW I found that skyjacker springs were cheaper than new(front) replacements for my dodge.

 

[bob91yj]

Another vote for airbags. Infinitely adjustable for what ever your load is without living with the harshness when not needed.

 

[Erik N]

I am thinking that I will start with new springs, and see how that goes. I won't replace them until this winter, though. I live in TX and the truck lives in NorCal.

I will be going 4x4 trout fishing in a couple of weeks, but won't have the time to deal with the springs until steelhead season.

I see Rancho makes an extra leaf for both the front and rear that provides a 1-1.5" lift. I wonder if the stock shocks would work with that....