Best rear springs for 4-5" drop carrying huge stereo

[Colby_e32]

Hey guys, Im needing some advice and possibly a solution to my ongoing problem. For starters I have a 2001 Tahoe, lowered 3.5" in the front, using spindles and keys, Using belltech Jouncestops in the front. Rear CURRENTLY consists of factory springs with 2 rounds cut off, current Fender measurements are 31.5" front, and 31.75" rear both sides sit level. Tires are 285/50/20

I have tried belltech 3" drop coils, with the result of too low, too bouncy, I added their 1" spacer, with poor results. I have tried DJM 2" coils with a decent ride, but bouncy, I also tried mcgaughys 3" coils which yielded over 5" of drop, which put my axle on the frame, a terribly bouncy ride.

The truck carries 2 18" woofers, 6 batteries, a 14 CUFT mdf and fiberglass box, 4 channel amplifiers, tons of 4/0, 1/0 wiring Estimating 1200+ LBS in additional weight right on top of the axle. On factory springs with no drop, the stereo alone squatted the truck right at 2" I've played around with multiple shocks as well.

I Am looking for a spring, Airbag, airshock, helper bag, combo etc To give me the ride height desiered 31.5-32" rear, and the ability to carry this weight down the road smoothly. Factory cut coils ride quite a bit better than any other setup I've tried thus far. but thats not saying much.

The truck sways side to side at highway speeds, its not terrible, but definitely noticeable, more with the lowering springs as they seem softer. I am 100% positive the swaying is in the rear, the front is rock solid, no worn components.

Any advice or support is greatly appreciated, Thanks Colby

 

[Byoung1330]

Have u done the free travel mod and added the rk2000 kit from djm. It relocates the sway bar and control arms. Also changes angle an shorter sway bar links? I have all that plus a adjustable panhard from spohn an it handles like a dream. An bilstein shocks. also I have the belltech 4230 coils which are for the trailblazer and I added helper springs. ( red bags ) which are adjustable an they help the rear alot. No bottoming or anything.

 

[Byoung1330]

Any questions just holler

 

[Colby_e32]

Any questions just holler

I do have the RK2000 DJM kit. Before and after the kit, no changes in ride quality, swaying or drifting. When I hit bumps, they carry, meaning I feel them long after the rebound. Almost like pulling an overloaded trailer at all times is how it feels.

Your setup seems lower than mine, what are you using for the front ? I thought about switching to the trailblazer rear coils, but I’m unsure what part number helper bags to use as well. I’ve seen so many different numbers listed it just gets confusing.

any idea what your ground to fender measurements are? Looks great!

 

[Big Mama]

Check with Tony @NORCAL SS. He’ll steer you in the right direction. If the dub box isn’t as close to the axles it’ll make you bounce quite a bit

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I suggest that you cut holes in the bed of your truck, over the rear axle, rotate your sub box so that the 18" speakers are pointing downward and firing through the new holes in the bed, and then adjust the subwoofer volume, until you achieve the ride height that you desire.

Sorry, I could not resist.

 

[Colby_e32]

The speakers, batteries and amplifiers are all directly over the axle, Port and gross box volume fills the entire cargo area.

I’ll post pictures later.

I’m thinking I need to get a heavy duty spring, or switch to airbags all together, however I do not plan to tow, if I can get a setup that rides comfortable and leave it, then I’ll be happy.

 

[Byoung1330]

I do have the RK2000 DJM kit. Before and after the kit, no changes in ride quality, swaying or drifting. When I hit bumps, they carry, meaning I feel them long after the rebound. Almost like pulling an overloaded trailer at all times is how it feels.

Your setup seems lower than mine, what are you using for the front ? I thought about switching to the trailblazer rear coils, but I’m unsure what part number helper bags to use as well. I’ve seen so many different numbers listed it just gets confusing.

any idea what your ground to fender measurements are? Looks great!

It's like 31 in front and 32 in rear. U can get the coils I got on Amazon pretty cheap. It's the 4230 coils with 60748 bags. that's the same I got. the bags are not fun to get in either lol. Front I have mcgaughys spindles and 3/4 purple keys

 

[Byoung1330]

I do have the RK2000 DJM kit. Before and after the kit, no changes in ride quality, swaying or drifting. When I hit bumps, they carry, meaning I feel them long after the rebound. Almost like pulling an overloaded trailer at all times is how it feels.

Your setup seems lower than mine, what are you using for the front ? I thought about switching to the trailblazer rear coils, but I’m unsure what part number helper bags to use as well. I’ve seen so many different numbers listed it just gets confusing.

any idea what your ground to fender measurements are? Looks great!

I also have 24s on 305 35s. An I appreciate it

 

[Byoung1330]

I do have the RK2000 DJM kit. Before and after the kit, no changes in ride quality, swaying or drifting. When I hit bumps, they carry, meaning I feel them long after the rebound. Almost like pulling an overloaded trailer at all times is how it feels. See dont listen to no other part numbers. Here's my order

Your setup seems lower than mine, what are you using for the front ? I thought about switching to the trailblazer rear coils, but I’m unsure what part number helper bags to use as well. I’ve seen so many different numbers listed it just gets confusing.

any idea what your ground to fender measurements are? Looks great!

 

[Byoung1330]

See here's my order so dont listen to any other part numbers

 

[Colby_e32]

See here's my order so dont listen to any other part numbers

Thanks for the replies. I guess your truck seems lower as there is more wheel and tire than I have. My measurements are pretty close, and mine doesn’t seem low enough to me.

do you have any sort of additional weight in your truck? I’m also carrying a full size spare to match my 20’s. I know it’s not much but every bit counts.

 

[Byoung1330]

No I don't. I still have the factory 17 under there that's it

 

[Byoung1330]

I did have it lower but it started slicing my new tires.

 

[iamdub]

Thanks for the replies. I guess your truck seems lower as there is more wheel and tire than I have. My measurements are pretty close, and mine doesn’t seem low enough to me.

do you have any sort of additional weight in your truck? I’m also carrying a full size spare to match my 20’s. I know it’s not much but every bit counts.

So, it sits how you want it to and when cruising in a straight line, rides fine (not too stiff or too soft), but just oscillates (floats up and down more than once) after hitting a bump at speed?

 

[Colby_e32]

So, it sits how you want it to and when cruising in a straight line, rides fine (not too stiff or too soft), but just oscillates (floats up and down more than once) after hitting a bump at speed?

the truck doesn’t sit quite as low as I’d like, however after exploring Lower ride heights, I learned where it’s at now is as low as I can go “comfortably”

around town, truck drives decent. Potholes / series of dips or bumps cause a lot of bumpsteer. Large potholes are violent. Feels like a bend a rim every time. Doesn’t slam the frame but it takes bumps very harsh.

on the highway. 50-60mph is fine, pretty smooth. 70-80 I develop a sway or “looseness” especially over bumps or changes in the road. The bumps cause the truck to go up and down almost float. Reminds me of riding in a 1990’s Lincoln towncar. Sloppy, airy feeling. Feels “looser” than I’d prefer.

 

[BADRIDES]

I have never seen belltech jounce stops for the front. Where did you get them at?

 

[Colby_e32]

I have never seen belltech jounce stops for the front. Where did you get them at?

View attachment 252553
amazon. 20 bucks. Cut the studs off with a dremel, fits perfectly into the factory Jouncestop location. Rides way better too.

check out this thread
https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/thr...bump-stops-for-those-lowered-with-keys.71905/

 

[BADRIDES]

View attachment 252553
amazon. 20 bucks. Cut the studs off with a dremel, fits perfectly into the factory Jouncestop location. Rides way better too.

check out this thread
https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/thr...bump-stops-for-those-lowered-with-keys.71905/

Think I might try these out cause a need a shorter jounce stop in the front since I have de cranked my keys in the front.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FMX69T...ref_=pd_luc_rh_pb-allspark-huc_01_01_t_img_lh

 

[Colby_e32]

Think I might try these out cause a need a shorter jounce stop in the front since I have de cranked my keys in the front.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FMX69T...ref_=pd_luc_rh_pb-allspark-huc_01_01_t_img_lh

Those are probably shorter than the 4923 by 1”

my 4923 belltech fit perfect with keys and decranked torsion bars. Light pressure touching when the truck is sitting level. I’ll try and snap a picture today.