Page 1 of 1

gq swb suspension

Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2006 8:38 am
by oxy
hey was wondering if anyone could some info and thoughts on some suspension mods. I not long bought a 88 Swb GQ which has a 2" body lift and 2" suspension with a adj front panhard rod. Am after good flex from the suspension, looking at around 4" spring lift and 5 link front end. Is it worth spending the loot 5 link or not any help would be great. ps this is me first post so hope it works
Cheers

mods

Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2006 8:46 am
by xenith
:cool: first congrats of good car choice mate have been in comps for years dont think it is worht the money would spend it on a front air locker and drop boxs they work grate:lol:

Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 7:22 am
by oxy
Thanks mate, where 's the best place to source drop boxes from? Do you reckon still go to a 4" spring lift or not? Am savin up for fnt and rear lockers.
:cool:

...

Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 9:17 am
by JemmyBubbles
Everyone who reads this willlll say use the search function as it does get asked quite a lot.

I have a shorty with 35's and I went a 4" suspension lift, double cardinal tail shaft rotated rear housing bla bla bla bla. If I had my time over I would definately do a high quality 2" suspension lift and a 2" body lift and cut quaters, make appropriate bar work and get stronger trailing arms.etc. That will be more than enough lift to fit a set of good 35's under the truck.

If the truck handles fine and shocks etc aren't stuffed.... Then I would get your airlockers, start sorting out all your barwork and do a little bit of gaurd trimming. Why bother starting over again ? You'll easily fit 35's.

With regards to the five link it is the only way to get a big amount of flex out of the front. However with ~ 2" suspension lift you will get plenty of useable flex and with a fr locker be fairly unstoppable.

Then again take into account what you are using the truck for. Is it daily driven ? If not sure go the 5" suspension lift, 5 link front and 4 link rear.

My thoughts... anyhoe.

Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 1:06 pm
by mudmav
smart man jemmy bubbles i have just put 3 inch springs in my shorty with 2 inch body blocks and im going to go back down to two inch spring lift again soon and chop the guards a bit more. My theory is there is nothing i cant drive on a 2 inch lift that i could on a 4 inch so whats the point in goign higher

...

Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 6:25 pm
by JemmyBubbles
My point exactly.

Especially if it is for street driving. Keep the thing as low as reasonably possible, but still allow room for 33'/35's. If you can get some protective barwork that is tucked up nice and high then you will be really capable.

You might occasionally get a few bumps and grinds. THe places where you will get these would probably yield the same result even if you had a 4" spring lift. You'll also hear people say that a few bumps and grinds from drop boxes are not enuff to stop them, this is the same principle.

Also when people say going any higher than 2" causes a whole heap of extra dramas, listen to them as they aren't telling you fibs. Drivability, Driveline, Steering, Brake Lines, engineering. etc etc....

Unless of course it is for tuff truck... in which cause 4 link rear, 5 link front, coilovers and a 454 chev on gas :D

Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 4:33 pm
by oxy
Thanks guys for your help. This was the first time i posted on here so wasn't really familar with, will know in futre though.

Will try and get some pics up for yous but don't quite konw how. Will be sorta daily driver / weekend car so all the info makes sense and great. Will have to swap body blocks around to nylon cause i bought already with mild steel ones in it. It has 33" on it at the moment would it handle much different with 35" ?

Just my 2 cents

Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 5:07 pm
by cookiesa
I think another thing often missed is if the vehicle is very capable with the smaller lift... IS the extra rollover risk (Talking off road work here) worth the small difference in ability??

Your already talking about an extremly capable truck once you add the diff locks

Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 6:56 pm
by Mick.
I'm inquiring for a mate with a shorty that has a 4inch lift in it.

If you fit drop boxes would you still need radius arm spacers as well to run 35s without scrubbing at the rear of the front guards?

Cheers Mick.

Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 7:10 pm
by MKPatrolGuy
Mick. wrote:I'm inquiring for a mate with a shorty that has a 4inch lift in it.

If you fit drop boxes would you still need radius arm spacers as well to run 35s without scrubbing at the rear of the front guards?

Cheers Mick.
Most drop boxes already incorporate spacing the diff forwards, but I'd check with whoever you are going to get the boxes from.

Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 10:03 pm
by duncan
built a mates car for him 2 inch body lift 3 inch suspension 5 link front guard cutting and he runs 38s no rubbing heaps of flex