My 02 Avalanche NFE

Stryder106

Explorer
Here is the new stance of the Avalanche. Overall, with the new suspension it raised my truck 1" - the new height at the bottom center of my fender is 40.5" on all four corners. The shocks are superb - hitting dips at high speed the truck soaks them up and neutral out very quickly and does not bottom out. Once we add the RTT, fridge, and load it - I'll try that - and if need be we'll revalve the shocks and put in hydraulic bumpstops. I'm still considering whether or not to go to a stiffer torsion bar - but likely will make that decision after we test it fully loaded. So, what do all y'all think of the new stance?
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IMG_1128.jpg
 

Stryder106

Explorer
Now - I'm waiting for the RTT. Just got all of the fridge stuff: ARB 63 fridge/freezer, harness, transit bag, slide - so I'll be mounting all of that soon. Also, putting the ABS on a switch so I can turn it off when off-road. Had a pretty hairy moment in Death Valley when the ABS decided to kick in - on a rutted steep downhill narrow shelf road coming at a 90* curve with no shoulder and the valley floor 6,000 feet below. I yanked the fuse out after that and it cured the problem. So, I want to switch it so I can do it at will.
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I also just replaced my motor mounts (one was starting to collapse). Will also likely replace all of the u-joints (original) with Spicer Life Series (triple sealed) solid body u-joints.
 

rayra

Expedition Leader
Liking the overall look and stance. Nice re-work on the front pre-runner style guard. How does that interfere with engine bay access, if at all?

Also looking forward to details on the ABS switch, you'd told me the anecdote when I visited, I'd like to do the same mod myself. Any thought / rationale yet on switch location?
 

Bear in NM

Adventurer
Great seeing all the pictures. Looks fantastic.

I finally got my Bilstein 5100's installed with my Eibach Hummer springs, and just got back from a ranch run. I do love the springs. My Rancho 9000's that were only a year old were trashed. The Bilstein/Eibach made the run over gravel roads, washboards, cattle guards and a little rock crawling very easy.

Craig
 

Stryder106

Explorer
Liking the overall look and stance. Nice re-work on the front pre-runner style guard. How does that interfere with engine bay access, if at all?

Also looking forward to details on the ABS switch, you'd told me the anecdote when I visited, I'd like to do the same mod myself. Any thought / rationale yet on switch location?

ABS runs on a 60amp fuse - but my switch panel in the new console is 25Amp switches. I spoke with an auto electrician and he is going to help me find the relay for it and I'll switch off of that using one of the spares in my console.
 

Stryder106

Explorer
Great seeing all the pictures. Looks fantastic.

I finally got my Bilstein 5100's installed with my Eibach Hummer springs, and just got back from a ranch run. I do love the springs. My Rancho 9000's that were only a year old were trashed. The Bilstein/Eibach made the run over gravel roads, washboards, cattle guards and a little rock crawling very easy.

Craig

Nice - they do make a big difference. Now I'm debating going to a stiffer torsion bar as well. GM sure is proud of them though...........
 

Stryder106

Explorer
Liking the overall look and stance. Nice re-work on the front pre-runner style guard. How does that interfere with engine bay access, if at all?

Also looking forward to details on the ABS switch, you'd told me the anecdote when I visited, I'd like to do the same mod myself. Any thought / rationale yet on switch location?

It does push me back so it makes accessing from the front a little harder. However, It's now wide enough that I can just stand on it. LOL
 

Bear in NM

Adventurer
Nice - they do make a big difference. Now I'm debating going to a stiffer torsion bar as well. GM sure is proud of them though...........

I did not know that was an option. I have noticed since putting on the Eibach springs, it might be nice if the front was just a tad stiffer. But, I think I am just biased or "used" to the entire suspension on my vehicles being stiff as a board, not so much that I have been anywhere where it was needed, yet. I should be a little stiffer than stock, with my front lift keys, I think. No real frame of reference, I guess.

Craig
 

Stryder106

Explorer
Craig - yes same here - my CST keys are dialed up so it effectively increases the spring rate. But, I was shocked to find out that on my North Face Edition the factory installed base model rear coil springs and base model front torsion bars. There are multiple stiffness levels beyond stock.
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My build sheet states that my truck has the Y92 North Face Edition package which includes "Off Road Suspension Package".....it also says that includes the Z71 Off Road Package - which should have been stiffer rear springs. Then it shows YD6 - which is the base rear spring. Go figure - the only thing I can figure out is GM doesn't have a clue what it is actually putting in its vehicles......................
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As for the Torsion Bars - my build sheet shows: 6XM and 7XM which are rated at #5638. The 6YK/6YT bars are rated at #7267, the 6GK bars are rated at #8615, and 6GL bars are rated at #8762. GM wants $340 - EACH for the torsion bars.
 

Bear in NM

Adventurer
OK , now you have me totally freaked out. My Av is clearly a Z71, but I have the identical RPO codes, front and back in mine, as you noted. Base level suspension. I do have skid plates, and a really cool Z71 logo sticker :)

Seriously, in all the other threads I have been assuming that I have (or did have) the Z71 rear springs. Well, no wonder my old rear springs were so bad. They sure looked original, and given mine came with a tow brake controller, I am assuming some previous owner was towing something reasonably heavy. And it might explain why I roached the Rancho 9000 shocks so quickly. I bought the front as a kit, that had the 2" saddle extension for the lower shock mount. When I installed them, I should have looked more closely at how compressed the shocks looked when the truck was sitting on the ground.

Do you know whether the heavier torsion bars you noted are a drop in replacement? I think I remember in some thread on some board that 2500 torsion bars are longer than 1500's. And as you have done the homework on this, it would seem in my little pea brain that the heavier rated torsion bar would not change the geometry (read lift) of the front suspension, as the torsion bar is installed with no load. The load coming from the key adjustment? Yes, 340 is really steep, but I have the front receiver mount installed, and on occasion will run my motorcycle in the front, on a carrier. I plan on keeping my Av for a long time. Since i can't go out and spend silly money on bumpers, brush guards and winches and ...., like back in my Jeep days, I don't mind planning for sensible expenses.

Craig

Edit: I just looked up the 6gk bar on GM Parts direct, and they show 209.58. But, the description reads for 3/4 ton models, which as I mentioned above, I think are longer. Really confused.
 

Stryder106

Explorer
The 1/2 ton bars are 54" (if I'm recalling correctly - if they aren't 54" then they are 52"). I do think the 3/4 ton bars are a different length and do not swap over. But, the barcodes I listed were printed at a GM dealer as viable options for my 1/2 ton Av. I hear you on the codes - mine was supposed to be Z71 suspension in the NFE - the other codes present clearly indicate base. I also think you may need to have the stock keys with the stiffer bars - if so - those are only like $30. But, you should have more natural height due to less sag. Meaning you would have to put less load on them to get the same ride height you have now.
 

Bear in NM

Adventurer
Thanks. I just went through all of the models of the 2002 Av on GM Direct. All they show is 15528957 (L) and 19332946 (R) for all models. And these are the same part numbers for the Hummer and Suburbans. It's weird, as when you click on that part number from the various sub models chosen list, you get differing detail descriptions. Looks to be the same for the rear springs, although the Hummer springs are different. Looks like if someone wants to pursue the torsion bar upgrade, GM Parts direct may not be the place.

Speaking of which, I had ordered a right side fog light housing last year from GM Direct, and went to install it an hour ago. Could not figure out why it was so loose. The body of the housing was cracked, and I did not catch it before installing. Finger crossed the JB Instant weld will bond to the plastic housing.

Always something.......

Craig

edit: Opps, still have my factory keys. I get rid of nothing....
 

Stryder106

Explorer
Craig - I have a set of fog lights if you want them. One of them was less than a month old (body on mine also cracked - think it was the right one) when I redid my front bumper. Yours if you want them.
 

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