| [GMCnet] One ton installation [message #151576] |
Sun, 04 December 2011 15:32  |
glwgmc
Messages: 1014
Registered: June 2004
Karma:
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Senior Member |
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Hi Gary,
From what I have seen and experienced, there seems to be quite a difference in the strength left in the stock torsion bars. Mine adjusted to proper ride height without a problem after I installed the one ton front end. It took several full turns on the adjustment bolt, but both sides came out just fine without the end of the pork chop bottoming out. As you experienced, you do need to drive the coach five to ten miles to allow the suspension to fully settle any time you raise the frame or the front wheels up with a jack. Doesn't seem like it would take that long, but it sure seems to. It looks like the rear settles a bit faster, but it still takes some drive time to get it where it will be while normally driving down the road.
One other thing to consider. The rear ride height alters the front ride height more than one would expect. Be sure you have the rear ride height set properly and settled in before you try to measure or adjust the front ride height. If you still can't get the front to the correct ride height then you might want to consider swapping in a different set of torsion bars to see if they have a bit more strength left in them and/or using the adjustable pork chops that Jim K. sells.
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
541-592-5360
www.southernoregonguild.org
www.siskiyouguild.org
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Message: 16
Date: Sun, 4 Dec 2011 11:43:47 -0800
From: "Gary Worobec" <gtw5@earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] 1-Ton Installation
To: <gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org>
Message-ID: <3FB762C24B164F548C69A0CF3BCAD8F7@DELL2009>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
With the one ton front end the ride height issue can't be solved with the
OEM Pork Chop. You either must source alternate OEM angles or buy the
adjustable ones.
Secondly we need a stiffer shock absorber. I spoke with the Bilstein rep at
SEMA and they can do custom revalving for about $65.00 extra for each shock.
They just need to know the stock Bilstein that is used and how much stiffer
we want the compression and rebound. The other issue is that there may be
just too much leverage on the T-bar. I bottomed the shock several times on
some dips in the highway this trip. Never happened before. So I'm also
thinking of looking into a nitrogen charged shock that will add addtional
spring to the system. These are about the same physical size as the ones we
use now. Lots of issues to look at here. I'm not sure if the 4" spacer is
needed maybe something just big enough to clear the caliper. I can live with
the narrower track up front and it may be the solution to the wallowing
problem. My coach is now not handling well on winding mountain roads.
Frankly it's a bit of a pig. The front end is just too soft. Granted, my
ride height at the front needs to come up at least an inch but I'm not sure
that even if the ride height is correct that it will make the front end
stiffer and if it does will the T-bar take the addtional load before
snapping. With that said I certainly enjoy better braking and the piece of
mind that I'll not have to worry about front end bearing maintenance again.
Lots of trade offs to consider here.
Thanks
Gary and Joanne Worobec
1973 GMC Glacier
Anza, CA
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Jerry & Sharon Work
78 Royale
Kerby, OR
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