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Old 01-12-2011, 08:14 AM   #1
5150
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How low in the rear for suburbans?

Didn't know if it was like a truck or not because of the weight.

Thinking about springs but fighting off the urge to go bags. I don't want to cut into the floor. I will run a 3rd row seat.

Thought about running bags with schrader valves, but that can be a pain.
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Old 01-12-2011, 08:55 AM   #2
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Re: How low in the rear for suburbans?

I had a 69 'burb years ago with 6" rear drop springs, and no c-notch.
(4/6 total drop)
I think you will want a c-notch on anything more than a 5" drop.
(I used truck springs)
I'm not sure if anyone make a 'burb specific spring.
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Old 01-12-2011, 06:16 PM   #3
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Re: How low in the rear for suburbans?

i have 4 inch coils, dropped more like 6 to 7 inches (truck coils) and the axle would slam into the frame if I nailed the throttle from a standstill, let alone ANY kind of road irregularity. I installed helper bags inside the coils and keep it at a 5 to 6 inch drop with no problems
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Old 01-12-2011, 06:52 PM   #4
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Re: How low in the rear for suburbans?

See that's what makes me want to bag the rear. Andy, did you c-notch it? I've lowered tons of these trucks just not sure what the difference is when it comes to the burbs.
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Old 01-12-2011, 07:37 PM   #5
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Re: How low in the rear for suburbans?

I put RE7 bags in the rear with a single schrader. My burb is a 3/4, the ride was great, many compliiments on the handling for bag rear/coil front suspension. I rode with 31" tall tires with the body 1/2" above. I could have rode with the body lower but I put a 14 bolt FF corporate rear in. not as much space. I mounted a compressor in the back so that I didn't have to pay (even air cost $ now!) when I needed to add. plus, met/helped many with flat/low tires. If I was to give any advice, go with the bags on the rear, you fill your Burb with 6 people average weight of 175 lbs. 1050 ibs. plus gear. it's nice to have options.

I do plan on bags on the front with full controls, Burb is in the body shop, hopefully everything done by May.

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Old 01-12-2011, 11:27 PM   #6
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Re: How low in the rear for suburbans?

I have 3" CPP coils it's more like a 6" drop. I am going to bag the back without a notch. Just run shrader valves for now. The CPP or ECE super track bar kit. SCOTI's shock relocate mod. Thinking of the RE7 bags. I am not going to notch yet because it would just turn into a step notch.
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Old 01-13-2011, 12:48 AM   #7
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Re: How low in the rear for suburbans?

If you go with lowering coils make sure you get the burb lowering coils. They are much more stout than the truck coils. Ive posted pictures of truck and burb lowering coils side by side here before, unfortunately I dont have them on this computer.
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Old 01-13-2011, 02:11 PM   #8
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Re: How low in the rear for suburbans?

I think that i read on GMC pauls site that they carry/have made Suburban specific drop springs?? might wanna check that out for sure tho?
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Old 01-13-2011, 02:54 PM   #9
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Re: How low in the rear for suburbans?

This sounds like bags might be the way to go. Just don't want to cut into the floor.
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Old 01-14-2011, 11:36 PM   #10
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Re: How low in the rear for suburbans?

this is good info to know. I almost bought drop springs for a truck to put on my burb glad i didn't.
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Old 01-15-2011, 02:00 PM   #11
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Re: How low in the rear for suburbans?

Quote:
Originally Posted by IAFF2407 View Post
I put RE7 bags in the rear with a single schrader. My burb is a 3/4, the ride was great, many compliiments on the handling for bag rear/coil front suspension. I rode with 31" tall tires with the body 1/2" above. I could have rode with the body lower but I put a 14 bolt FF corporate rear in. not as much space. I mounted a compressor in the back so that I didn't have to pay (even air cost $ now!) when I needed to add. plus, met/helped many with flat/low tires. If I was to give any advice, go with the bags on the rear, you fill your Burb with 6 people average weight of 175 lbs. 1050 ibs. plus gear. it's nice to have options.

I do plan on bags on the front with full controls, Burb is in the body shop, hopefully everything done by May.

Al.
I've got some questions for you. How does that coil/airbag ride compared to all air bags( if you have any idea). I've got a c20 with a big block. The front is where I'm concerned. The front spring only appears to be 5" in diameter, and it looks like a re7 (7") will rub the bumpstop brackets, and possibly the shock. On top of that If I add a plate and cut down cups ( which is what I'm supposed to do for the front) the distance between the two a arms is 5". If I lower it down 3", then that makes the bag 2", which is lower than it will go ( the internal on re7s keeps it at 3" deflated). How did you overcome this issue? Am I looking at lowering spindles? I was hoping to just lower it via bags since it's not that much of a drop. If it's going to be that much of a hassle and cost I will just cut one coil off the front springs.
Any ideas?
Shawn
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Old 01-15-2011, 08:10 PM   #12
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Re: How low in the rear for suburbans?

sorry, just now reading this form... i hace no installed a notch.
My recomendation if the funds are there is to just go with bags. otherwise, spend the extra for burb coils. even with the helper bags, the ride is too mushy for me as it sits.
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Old 01-17-2011, 03:31 PM   #13
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Re: How low in the rear for suburbans?

jorgensensc - Shawn, I installed plates on the top and bottom, and used Firestone 2500 bags. I haven't tried them yet as the Burb is in the shop getting body and paint. I'm not sure what bag psi I will be using. I'm hoping for 80 to 100 lbs. If I don't reach that pressure I will cut the plate and install a cup on the bottom. I completly removed the bump stop and bracket. I will be installing a custom bump and steering stop........eventually. I will post a pic when I'm back on my other computer.
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Old 01-18-2011, 03:16 PM   #14
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Re: How low in the rear for suburbans?

You can go with a bolt in CPP c-notch and you will not have to cut the floor. Check out my Burb build thread....
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Old 01-18-2011, 03:24 PM   #15
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Re: How low in the rear for suburbans?

Quote:
Originally Posted by IAFF2407 View Post
jorgensensc - Shawn, I installed plates on the top and bottom, and used Firestone 2500 bags. I haven't tried them yet as the Burb is in the shop getting body and paint. I'm not sure what bag psi I will be using. I'm hoping for 80 to 100 lbs. If I don't reach that pressure I will cut the plate and install a cup on the bottom. I completly removed the bump stop and bracket. I will be installing a custom bump and steering stop........eventually. I will post a pic when I'm back on my other computer.
Thanks for the info. I have the cups and plates and that is what I planned to install. However when I looked at it the bags still have to sit even with the plane of the lower control arm, I think. If I drop the bag down into the pocket then the bag sides would rub on the pocket and possibly cause issues. If I put the cup in, then the bags won't rub the sides of the a arm, but I I have the height issue again. I was looking at going with the 5" slam specialties, but the height I would need ( even at the desired 3" lower height) is outside the optimal ride height range of the bag.
On a side note, after looking at it your right I will need to trim the steering and bump stop bracket. That's no biggie. I am just not wanting to have to shell out money for drop spindles too.
Shawn
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Old 01-18-2011, 08:14 PM   #16
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Re: How low in the rear for suburbans?

here's a pic shawn, I'm not liking the angle of the bags. Not sure if the angle is okay?

Al.
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Old 01-18-2011, 09:11 PM   #17
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Re: How low in the rear for suburbans?

Thanks for the picture! I hate to ask, but can you measure fromthe top plate to the bottom plate that hold the bag? Between those two places on my a-arms with load (big block, body, etc) there is roughly 5".
Thanks!
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Old 01-18-2011, 11:17 PM   #18
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Re: How low in the rear for suburbans?

if you go to brotherstrucks.com you can get everything to do a 4"/6" spring drop front and rear for either the burb or truck about $1000 includes a bolt in notch drop spindles panhard bar front and rear swaybars shocks and springs and I think it comes with new control arms but not sure all you need to add is the time to install I am saving to get this kit for my burb but I will weld the notch on instead of bolting it on

they say you can go as low a a 5" drop in the rear without notching the frame
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