I was tryin to figure it out but couldnt come up with an answer..i saw some QA1 precision products coil over spring kits on summitracing.com and they are rated in lbs. but is that for the rear of the vehicle or the whole car....I might install coilovers on my truck which is a 92 C1500 RCLB so any input will be appreciated..thanx
how to choose the right coilover spring rate??
- Thread starter Beaner 88
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Re: how to choose the right coilover spring rate??
I'm going to say that the 500lbs c/o's may be a little stiff, I could be wrong. You wouldn't be able to haul what it used to haul in the bed, but if your going for performance minded suspension, it doesn't matter anyway. Your best bet if find the nearest weigh station that can weigh all four corners of your truck, then contact QA1 or a suspension shop that knows how to correctly calculate which spring rate would work best for your application.
I'm going to say that the 500lbs c/o's may be a little stiff, I could be wrong. You wouldn't be able to haul what it used to haul in the bed, but if your going for performance minded suspension, it doesn't matter anyway. Your best bet if find the nearest weigh station that can weigh all four corners of your truck, then contact QA1 or a suspension shop that knows how to correctly calculate which spring rate would work best for your application.
Re: how to choose the right coilover spring rate??
The only way to directly figure it out would be to scale all four corners. Once you have that information along with the installed heights ( eyelet to eyelet ), give a call to whomeever you are wanting to purchase the coil over through and they can certainly pick it out for you......
The only way to directly figure it out would be to scale all four corners. Once you have that information along with the installed heights ( eyelet to eyelet ), give a call to whomeever you are wanting to purchase the coil over through and they can certainly pick it out for you......
Re: how to choose the right coilover spring rate??
:word: exactly what i came in here to say :aniteef:
Also, your needs for the vehicle will have a big effect on what spring rate you chose. If you were to ever use the bed of your truck for hauling or mild towing, then you'd want to keep a slightly stiff spring rate. If you are using this as a show/cruiser truck, then a softer spring could be chosen. If you're gonna get into all of that work, then you're gonna need to start doing some reading. If you're gonna run custom spring rates, then you have to factor in the amount of spring dampening you're gonna need. Gonna have to figure out you're rebound/compression rates and tune that (along with the shock travel as well) to get exactly the ride you want out of it.
That's about as basic as it gets, it depends on how serious you are. The reason these kind of coilovers are cheap is that they are generally universal (to a degree) which the customer then custom tailors it to his needs/driving style.
:word: exactly what i came in here to say :aniteef:
Also, your needs for the vehicle will have a big effect on what spring rate you chose. If you were to ever use the bed of your truck for hauling or mild towing, then you'd want to keep a slightly stiff spring rate. If you are using this as a show/cruiser truck, then a softer spring could be chosen. If you're gonna get into all of that work, then you're gonna need to start doing some reading. If you're gonna run custom spring rates, then you have to factor in the amount of spring dampening you're gonna need. Gonna have to figure out you're rebound/compression rates and tune that (along with the shock travel as well) to get exactly the ride you want out of it.
That's about as basic as it gets, it depends on how serious you are. The reason these kind of coilovers are cheap is that they are generally universal (to a degree) which the customer then custom tailors it to his needs/driving style.
Not sure where to start you on the reading path, but i know the stuff is out there. Re: how to choose the right coilover spring rate??
some weigh stations can weigh axle by axle, so you could just devide those numbers for a rough estimate of what your four corners weigh, which in your case would probably be ok, or some suspension shops, the ones that do custom work, should have scales to weigh all four corners for a more accurate number.
don't for get you may have to ask the weigh station for permission to weigh your truck, because its not something they have to do.
some weigh stations can weigh axle by axle, so you could just devide those numbers for a rough estimate of what your four corners weigh, which in your case would probably be ok, or some suspension shops, the ones that do custom work, should have scales to weigh all four corners for a more accurate number.
don't for get you may have to ask the weigh station for permission to weigh your truck, because its not something they have to do.
Re: how to choose the right coilover spring rate??
weigh stations are not going to be near accurate enough or do the job right. If you have some local dirt track racers near you or a race shop they can accurately scale it for you on a set of vehicle scales. The whole truck needs to be done at the same time at ride height on a flat floor. Something like this http://www.intercomp-racing.com/
weigh stations are not going to be near accurate enough or do the job right. If you have some local dirt track racers near you or a race shop they can accurately scale it for you on a set of vehicle scales. The whole truck needs to be done at the same time at ride height on a flat floor. Something like this http://www.intercomp-racing.com/
I just added a sway bar from a C1500 Suburban...LOVE IT! (I got the links from a '90s F-expedition, [but recently discovered that pretty much the whole rear sway system from the Avalanche will fit the C1500 as well]).
I currently have some AC Delco professional monotubes, but I ordered some Gabriel spring assist shocks (coilovers) to help keep the rear axle triangulated, and I'll be ordering some Aldan American 700# coilovers for the front soon. I'll let you know how it goes.
I currently have some AC Delco professional monotubes, but I ordered some Gabriel spring assist shocks (coilovers) to help keep the rear axle triangulated, and I'll be ordering some Aldan American 700# coilovers for the front soon. I'll let you know how it goes.