2000 Suburban K1500 budget low lift with 37"s

[CrazyDrei]

Home made coil overs?

Here is an interesting topic I have toyed around with recently: home made coil overs.

I used to have a Mazda Miata in highschool that I took on autocross courses, eventually I made my own coilovers for it with some high performance shocks and a DIY coilover kit from eBay. Has anyone made their own coilovers and ran them successfully in a full size truck?

I have several spare Skyjacker shocks laying around, found a couple 1,000lbs springs and had a couple pipe clamps of various sizes. Theoretically this should work if I run the shock through the factory clevis mount, pipe clamp on the shock body to hold the spring, top hat attached to the top shock mount.

Any thoughts???

 

[Burb One]

Here is an interesting topic I have toyed around with recently: home made coil overs.

I used to have a Mazda Miata in highschool that I took on autocross courses, eventually I made my own coilovers for it with some high performance shocks and a DIY coilover kit from eBay. Has anyone made their own coilovers and ran them successfully in a full size truck?

I have several spare Skyjacker shocks laying around, found a couple 1,000lbs springs and had a couple pipe clamps of various sizes. Theoretically this should work if I run the shock through the factory clevis mount, pipe clamp on the shock body to hold the spring, top hat attached to the top shock mount.

Any thoughts???

I must say, you've exceed my expectations with your truck. Looks like you are getting out there and having fun.

The coilover idea though, IMO that's dangerous as ********. The entire weight of the truck (or corner of the truck) will be held on the spring. I do not see that clamp holding ~2000lb dynamic load. One hard braking maneuver, and if it lets go the entire corner will go limp, making your emergency stop, not so much of a stop anymore. Please don't do that. Now, if you could somehow weld the clamp onto the shock body, without damaging the shock, then MAYBE, but touching that with a welder I think would ruin the shock. Never the less, that shock was not meant to hold weight anyway and the top hat and bottom welds I think would have some problems as well. The better design would build a sleeve that goes down the length of the shock, but even then I'm not sure it would be much of an improvement. I would say/ask please don't do that (or please don't do that) and endanger everyone else around you.

 

[AlexCold]

I don't think you'll get enough clamping force at the shock body without deforming it, at which point the shock won't work. There's a reason why truck coilover shocks are welded or threaded on the body. As mentioned above, I just don't think it's a safe practice for a vehicle this large.

 

[rayra]

I'd say you need to make the lower coil support more lik a stirrup that extends to and uses the stock shock mount bolt location. As already pointed out, there's no way that collar will hold.

 

[chilliwak]

Hey Crazy, got any more wheeling videos? I love seeing you out driving your rig in the bush. Also can I suggest to everyone that they go to www.imgur.com to host their pics? that way we can leave the jerks at photbucket behind. Looking forward to see more footage Crazy. Cheers, chilli..

 

[bdp1978]

DIY coilovers with pipe clamps............uh....theres saving $$$ and then there is just plain JANKY.

 

[CrazyDrei]

Hey Crazy, got any more wheeling videos? I love seeing you out driving your rig in the bush. Also can I suggest to everyone that they go to www.imgur.com to host their pics? that way we can leave the jerks at photbucket behind. Looking forward to see more footage Crazy. Cheers, chilli..

Chilli,

Last wheeling adventure the camera malfunctioned and fell off mid ride, and two adventures ago I managed to break both the engine mounts, replacing them my next day off then off to the trails for more adventures. Should have a video up within a week.

Stay tuned for more shenanigans!

 

[CrazyDrei]

Thanks CrazyDrei for the links.
I found a lift kit that includes the Keys, rear blocks, and has shock extenders, my shocks (Monroe) are in good condition (1 year old - 10K miles). The kit goes for $108, and I don't have to buy the shocks right away. When the shocks go, I'll get the Bilsteins for shure, and remove the extenders.
The YukonXL has a problem of tie rods and ball joints, so I'll be doing the complete front suspension kit, and that takes this month's car expenses.
So the lift kit will have to wait until next month.
Here are some pictures as she sits right now

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and one from the YukonXL

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ChevyPit,

Good lookin trucks, how do you manage to keep both of them so clean. Anyway $108 for the kit is a good price, and shock spacers will work great until your current shocks give out. Lets see more pictures when everything is on the truck, be sure to get a before and after picture. Oh yeah, use a different picture hosting site, photobucket sux, can't see the pictures of your trucks anymore.

Cheers.

 

[CrazyDrei]

Engine mounts: Last repair before adventures resume

The last few adventures have had unexpected issues in the areas I least expected.

Camera did not work three trips ago, camera malfunctioned and fell off on the trail last trip. I didn't bring the camera on a trip and broke both front shocks and the passenger side engine mount.

I noticed that the truck was whining and growling at me on the first trip out after replacing the power steering pump, it came from the AC, I noticed that the AC belt tensioner pulley was sitting and rubbing on the bolt that is holding a part of the steering rack to the point where it almost broke off. Oil pan is sitting on the cross-member and rubbing as I'm driving. Took me only 500 miles of commuting and 70miles of trails to figure out that it was the engine mounts.

Not too bad for 250k miles from factory motor mounts, drives side on the left still has some life left and passenger side engine mount on the right completely disintegrated.

Replacing them was really straight forward, undo the top three bolts per side, jack the motor up 3-4", undo the 4 bolts that are attached to the motor, remove the mounts. Installing the new ones was the reverse of the removal. Had a friend help me and we were done in less than two hours.

Another angle of the motor mounts, especially the completely destroyed passenger side one.

Looks like all the maintenance has been been done and it's time to hit the trails again.

Stay tuned for more shenanigans.

 

[ChevyPit]

I only use photobucket to upload here, and now it doesn't work, ja. What other photo hosting site do you recommend?

To keep the trucks clean: Always car wash them with water and car shampoo that has wax (I like the ArmorAll wash and wax). Then, twice a year I wax them with armor all extreme shield (it's getting hard to find, so I'm trying the Meguiars NXT wax) I personally liked the Armor All better, but I think it's discontinued. It gives a nice shine, but most important the protection it gives and ease to car wash. And once a year, usually when I do the wax, I do a complete detailing (windows, rubber and plastic restauration, etc). It may sound like a lot of work, but I do it with the kids as a fun activity during weekends. We usually have a water war, and after work a little treat. I takes about 1 hour to wax a suburban. A complete detail may take about 2-3 hours.

I'll take the before and after pictures. And I'll upload pictures of little adventures down here in Guatemala.

 

[chilliwak]

I only use photobucket to upload here, and now it doesn't work, ja. What other photo hosting site do you recommend?

To keep the trucks clean: Always car wash them with water and car shampoo that has wax (I like the ArmorAll wash and wax). Then, twice a year I wax them with armor all extreme shield (it's getting hard to find, so I'm trying the Meguiars NXT wax) I personally liked the Armor All better, but I think it's discontinued. It gives a nice shine, but most important the protection it gives and ease to car wash. And once a year, usually when I do the wax, I do a complete detailing (windows, rubber and plastic restauration, etc). It may sound like a lot of work, but I do it with the kids as a fun activity during weekends. We usually have a water war, and after work a little treat. I takes about 1 hour to wax a suburban. A complete detail may take about 2-3 hours.

I'll take the before and after pictures. And I'll upload pictures of little adventures down here in Guatemala.

I would strongly recomend

www.imgur.com


works for me and its free...:victory:

 

[Burb One]

The last few adventures have had unexpected issues in the areas I least expected.

Camera did not work three trips ago, camera malfunctioned and fell off on the trail last trip. I didn't bring the camera on a trip and broke both front shocks and the passenger side engine mount.

I noticed that the truck was whining and growling at me on the first trip out after replacing the power steering pump, it came from the AC, I noticed that the AC belt tensioner pulley was sitting and rubbing on the bolt that is holding a part of the steering rack to the point where it almost broke off. Oil pan is sitting on the cross-member and rubbing as I'm driving. Took me only 500 miles of commuting and 70miles of trails to figure out that it was the engine mounts.

Not too bad for 250k miles from factory motor mounts, drives side on the left still has some life left and passenger side engine mount on the right completely disintegrated.

Replacing them was really straight forward, undo the top three bolts per side, jack the motor up 3-4", undo the 4 bolts that are attached to the motor, remove the mounts. Installing the new ones was the reverse of the removal. Had a friend help me and we were done in less than two hours.

Another angle of the motor mounts, especially the completely destroyed passenger side one.

Looks like all the maintenance has been been done and it's time to hit the trails again.

Stay tuned for more shenanigans.

Dang, never seen that before on these trucks. Some bad luck! maybe the desert air dried out the rubber?

 

[CrazyDrei]

I only use photobucket to upload here, and now it doesn't work, ja. What other photo hosting site do you recommend?

To keep the trucks clean: Always car wash them with water and car shampoo that has wax (I like the ArmorAll wash and wax). Then, twice a year I wax them with armor all extreme shield (it's getting hard to find, so I'm trying the Meguiars NXT wax) I personally liked the Armor All better, but I think it's discontinued. It gives a nice shine, but most important the protection it gives and ease to car wash. And once a year, usually when I do the wax, I do a complete detailing (windows, rubber and plastic restauration, etc). It may sound like a lot of work, but I do it with the kids as a fun activity during weekends. We usually have a water war, and after work a little treat. I takes about 1 hour to wax a suburban. A complete detail may take about 2-3 hours.

I'll take the before and after pictures. And I'll upload pictures of little adventures down here in Guatemala.

ChevyPit,

The only time my truck sees water is when it goes through a creek or a river, lol. As far as pictures go I started using Facebook recently and it seems to work well. I upload pictures into an album that is private and use the links to them here. Seems to be working well.

Cheers.

 

[CrazyDrei]

VIDEO: Little Red Rock motor mount break in

It's been a rough two months of misadventures and camera issues and more parts breaking in the Sub but I think I replaced everything that I had issues with due to routine maintenance and beating up from the trails I shouldn't be on. Now let the adventuring resume.

This network of trails is in the area known as Little Red Rock here in Vegas and is less than a mile from my driveway. There are many small washed out canyons, sand stone features littered with petroglyths and trails that will take you up to 8,000ft above sea level. So pretty much a perfect area to test the trail worthiness of new trailing arms, power steering pump, Bilstein 5100's rear shocks and motor mounts. And did I mention stunning views of Las Vegas that you can only get from an airplane!


Stay tuned for more Shenanigans!

 

[CrazyDrei]

I'd say you need to make the lower coil support more lik a stirrup that extends to and uses the stock shock mount bolt location. As already pointed out, there's no way that collar will hold.

rayra,

I played with the possible setup on my workbench and I managed to snap the clevis or stirrup weld right off with an 18" wrench with an old busted shock in a vice, so that's the weak point and will require way more reinforcement than its worth. As far as the pipe clamp goes it should withhold upto 30,000lbs of pressure before failing and will snap the shock body in half before it fails. Looks like the home made low budget coilover idea is scrapped. Thank you everyone for your feedback.

Stay tuned for more shenanigans!