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Suspension Experts...Questions, Please!

silversport

silversport

SM 2003
Full Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2002
Messages
463
Location
ChicagoLand, USA
Okay...this morning (Thursday) I got my new Silverado SS Wheels (20") installed with my Goodyear Fortera Tires...I am happy with this combination, nicely rated tire, Nice price and nice price on my "pre-driven" SS wheels.

I am considering sway bars...Hotchkis, Helwig, Whatever...BUT the sizes are REALLY CLOSE to the stock sizes on my Z-71...will I see much improvement???

How about changing out the rear springs...problems with just changing the rears or should I do something to the fronts...?

I would like to bring the truck down a little but do not want to give up anything in ride quality unless the performance is much more enhanced...I live in the Chicago area so I need it to perform like a 4WD on occasion but I do not off-road...

Thanks for any help.

Bill (y) :B: ???
 
Even an 1/8" will make a difference. I went with the Hotchkis sways and trailing arms and the difference was very noticeable. Expensive, but I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. No lean in corners anymore. Do a search on my name for my posts and you will see what else I have done, including the Eibach drop springs. Good luck.
 
Thanks...BELIEVE ME...your posts have been read and re-read...I have a cladded, Z-71 and am iffy about adding the Hotchkis bars along with the 20" SS Wheels AND a drop of some kind...I think the drop would be the LAST thing I would do right now...still absorbing the cost of wheels and tires but I think the Hotchkis is next!
Keep it comin' on any thoughts people...THANKS! ;) (y) :D :cool: ???

Bill
 
I hope to calm your fears...

I have a Cladded 03 Z71 1500 with a 2/3 Belltech Drop with the Hotchkis sway bars front and rear tucking 20"s wrapped in 295/50 rubber.

The ride is superb and I have no issues with rubbing, bumps, sway, tracking, nothing.

If you want more detailed info I can gladdly give it to you. I installed everything myself in the driveway with basic handtools and a gear puller for the Torsion Keys.

Bonedog
 
Be careful when doing sways first, if you want to drop later. The 'dog bones' in the back for dropped vehicles are shorter, so if you do sways for stock height first, without the drop, and then drop the truck later, you'll have issues with preloading.

Of course, if you never plan on dropping your AV, just get the kit for the stock height and you'll be golden.... ;D
 
Naked AV is correct... I order my drop and the sway bars at the same time so I had the shorter rear dogbones for the bars while doing the drop kit. The fronts.. even though it is a lowered swaybar kit is almost the same height as the stocks!! Surprising but when I called Hotchkis they said they bent the sway bar a little to compinsate so all is good.


I have no complaints here and now have close to 2000 miles on the drop with highway and idustrial roads so I can say how she rides.

Bonedog.
 
how big is the front rear factory swaybars in inches? i would go out and measure but my Avs in NC and im in MN? Also will the hotchkis kit 2240 swaybars work on my  stock Z71 Av? the only difference i see would be size got a real good deal on eBay for that set thanks
 
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