Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] Interesting comparison. 1 ton to original suspension.
| [GMCnet] Interesting comparison. 1 ton to original suspension. [message #251048] |
Fri, 30 May 2014 16:13  |
glwgmc
Messages: 1014
Registered: June 2004
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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I will add my experience as well since I have two coaches that I drive regularly and for long distances. The 78 Royale has the one ton front, stock air bags in rear with lifters so it takes 75psi to be at correct ride height, six wheel disk brakes, 16" Alcoas and relatively new BFG tires. The 77/94 Clasco has bone stock running gear, no rear bag lifters so it takes 85 to 90 psi to get to proper ride height, Caspro front and rear large sway bars, a monster Caspro steering damper (which I removed because it was hitting on the aluminum cover for the 3.21 final drive), 16" Weld wheels and relatively new BFG tires.
Both coaches drive, steer and stop really well and I would leave for the east coast tomorrow in either one. The only difference I can feel is a slight bit of torque steer on an uphill turn from a standing start with the Royale and a slight bit of wander on high crown roads with the Clasco due to no steering damper (the original mounts were cut off when the Caspro unit was installed and I have not take the time to fabricate new mounts yet). Other than that it is a toss up. So, if there is any geometry that is not quite right on the one ton I sure cannot detect it. No difference in tire wear on either coach and both see around 10,000 miles a year. I do rotate the tires at least once a year, sometimes more if I have the coach off the ground for some other reason.
Jerry
Jerry Work
The Dovetail Joint
Fine furniture designed and hand crafted in the 1907 former Masonic Temple building in historic Kerby, OR
Visitors always welcome!
glwork@mac.com
http://jerrywork.com
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Message: 15
Date: Fri, 30 May 2014 10:34:29 -0400
From: Ken Henderson
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Interesting comparison. 1 ton to original
suspension.
To: gmclist
Message-ID:
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Bob,
It interesting to hear professional drivers' impressions, especially
between two "right up to snuff" coaches. I wish they'd had a chance at
some slightly less well maintained ones.
While I'm no professional by any stretch of the imagination, I have been
driving, around a lot of the world, for 65 years. During about 15,000
miles (probably about as many as anyone so far) I've found the 1-Ton to be
a significant improvement. My coach has always steered well, been willing
to take any curve much faster than I've been, and had no adverse tire wear
problems. The 1-Ton makes it even more sure-footed, without having shown
me any detrimental effects. I agree that the camber change (and probably
concurrent toe change) is not ideal, but it has, thus far, not caused any
problems.
When the benefits of the improved bearings and brakes are considered, I
think it's a very important improvement. If there does prove to be
increased front tire wear from the geometry errors, I'll be willing to
rotate tires more often. I'm sure I'll still be replacing tires based on
age, not tread condition.
Just another input for those on the fence.
Ken H.
Americus, GA
'76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI & EBL,
Manny Brakes & 1-Ton, etc., etc.
www.gmcwipersetc.com
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Jerry & Sharon Work
78 Royale
Kerby, OR
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| Re: [GMCnet] Interesting comparison. 1 ton to original suspension. [message #252253 is a reply to message #252241] |
Mon, 16 June 2014 01:40  |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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I kind of thought Dave was involved, but didn't remember for sure.
That caution sounds like Dave too -- and wisely so, IMHO.
Ken H.
On Sun, Jun 15, 2014 at 11:41 PM, Rob Mueller
wrote:
> Ken,
>
> As I understand it Bruce Backman of Prototype Source in Santa Barbara, CA
> was working with Dave Lenzi on this project.
>
> When I visited Dave and Mary several years ago he had a prototype of one
> side that I believe had the Chevy lower control arm as
> well.
>
> Dave noted that he decided against pursuing the mod as it took serious
> fabrication / welding skills and because he had seen so many
> badly rusted front frames he feared that the if the mod was not welded
> properly to a good solid front frame a catastrophe could
> occur.
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
> The Pedantic Mechanic
> USAussie - Downunder
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org [mailto:
> gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Ken Henderson
>
> Didn't he get tired of that project and pass it on to someone else?
> Wonder if it ever made it into a vehicle.
>
> Ken H.
>
>
>
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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