Need Suspension Experts

WildRover · April 14, 2006

1996 GMC Sierra Z71

I am looking to replace my Factory Springs & Shocks. What I am hoping to Gain is a little more ground clearance, and more control of the vehicle for OffRoad use. Does anyone have any Spring/Shock Suggestions. Do I need to replace both the front Springs and the Rear Leaf Springs ?

I am not looking for anything that will lift the truck more than 21/2 or so inches. I just really dont need anymore ground clearance than that.

Any Help would be appreciated.

03HD · April 14, 2006

1996 GMC Sierra Z71

I am looking to replace my Factory Springs & Shocks. What I am hoping to Gain is a little more ground clearance, and more control of the vehicle for OffRoad use. Does anyone have any Spring/Shock Suggestions. Do I need to replace both the front Springs and the Rear Leaf Springs ?

I am not looking for anything that will lift the truck more than 21/2 or so inches. I just really dont need anymore ground clearance than that.

Any Help would be appreciated.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Have you ever looked under your front end? There are no springs. Do some research, there are lots and lots of threads here on small lifts.

WildRover · April 15, 2006

Ok seems as though I am going to have do a ton of investigating before I make any changes. So far I am thinking I may want to replace all the shicks since they are stock from 1996. After doing some reading I will probably go with New Bilstiens. Also I fgured out there is some torsion bar modification I can do with some special ford key/tool. I am still researching this as I am new to suspension modifications. Not sure how to raise the back end if I raise the front by adjusting the torsion bar, but still looking into that. If anyone would like to throw out some web links that may explain this I would very happy, If not I am sure I find it all eventually after searching.

WildRover · April 15, 2006

Ok, so now I am educated, seems I can Crank my factory Keys on my Torsion bars to get 2' of lift, or get Ford Keys and do the same. Seems getting the ford keys and doing 2' of lift would be better? Does anyone agree/disagree?

Also I found i would then need to do an Add-a-Leaf to get the same 2' for the rear. Does anyone have any suggestions on brands to use for the add-a-leaf ?

Also Im wondering if the "Bilstein Shocks for Chevy/GMC K1500 Fullsize PU 4wd '88-'98 Factory Replacement Bilstein #BE5-A405/2043" would work on this truck once its lifted around 2" Does anyone know this ?

Thanks......

Wingnut · April 15, 2006

The Ford keys will give you more wiggle room. The factory torsion keys run out of room pretty quick.

Can't help you with the add-a-leaf, as I've never done it...But I'd imagine you'd be okay with any of the major brands.

Don't buy factory replacement shocks, they aren't long enough. A lot of guys complain about how rough the ride gets after they crank their bars... The stock shocks pretty much lose all their downtravel when you lift the truck a little. This will shake the fillings out of your teeth on rough highways.

I bought some ProComp shocks (the cheapies from 4WP) that were made for a truck with a 3" lift, and they performed perfectly and left me with a stock ride after cranking the bars enough to lift the nose about 2 inches.

There is a company out there that makes a real 3" suspension lift for these trucks, I believe its a Skyjacker kit. That's probably the best way to get a bit of lift without compromising your suspension.

Meatywand · April 15, 2006

The Skyjacker kit is a new tubular upper A arm and Ford Keys, and I think maybe a diff relocation bracket...its not really worth the money, the Ford Keys are the best route for 1.5-2.5 inches of lift, I need to go pick up a ste of Ford keys and some new shocks for my truck, I want to squeeze some 305s under it

Shocker · April 15, 2006

If memory serves correctly, that 3" lift doesn't cost that much less than a 6" lift. In my opinion, if you're going to shell out that kind of money, you might as well buy the 6" lift.