Fosscore's 2013 Suburban LTZ Build Thread

[guy from norcal]

I didn't think you needed sprinklers in florida.

 

[Fosscore]

I didn't think you needed sprinklers in florida.

Not winning the Official Lawn Thread on here this year for that reason alone. Plus the water department has been all over the show with their "invoicing" totals that have not been matching actual resident usage. Been some Floriduh going on.

 

[guy from norcal]

Not winning the Official Lawn Thread on here this year for that reason alone. Plus the water department has been all over the show with their "invoicing" totals that have not been matching actual resident usage. Been some Floriduh going on.

Yeah, gonna need alot more work to take that from jdpber. (Official grass king) Your water dept sounds like CA in general.

 

[Fosscore]

Hey guys - Looking for some input and thoughts on lowering the Suburban a bit more.

A couple TYF guys already gave me some great advice, but open to more info, something I am missing or other ideas. Thx guys.

@07Burb @kbuskill we had a good thread, but wanted to reopen and explore more @iamdub

Want to lower the Burb a bit more to close the GTF gap. Not slammed, not tucked, no rake, but similar to my NBS. Sitting nice over the tires, especially since I have some components already installed and looks like I just need a few more to finish it with a bit of a better stance. I was just under 33” on the NBS, so maybe at 33 or so would be great, so probably looking at 2” front and
4-5” rear.

Trying to not replace every component e.g. A arms, etc..but again ideas for my truck and to help other guys as well.

I had the Belltech street performance shocks on the NBS and didn’t have any issues with them. So looking at them again, but have heard Bilsteins talked about too.

Currently sitting around 35” ground to fender lip. Maybe a touch higher in the rear, but mostly leveled. 285/45/22 tires and CK375 reps with +31 offset.

Front end components:

1. Belltech 1-3” Front lowering coilovers (Part No. 5403-001 621)
2. Cognito HD Front Sway bar (Part no. 210-90265)
3. Belltech 2” front spindles Part no. 2509 (not installed but currently in the garage)

Rear end components:

1. Cognito HD Rear Sway bar (Part no. 210-90266
2. Spohn adjustable panhard bar
3. McGaughy’s rear springs 2” (Part no. 0307) with shock relocation brackets (basically McGaughy’s Suspension Lowering Kit 30014)
4. auto ride fuse is currently pulled so it is non-op right now (plus the auto ride shock bladders are done, but the shock is good)
5. Moog sway bar end links Part Number K700538

Here are the additional parts I was thinking after searching online, other TYF members info and calling Belltech direct (their suggestions based on what I already had) since I have some components vs needing an entire drop kit.

1. Belltech 2410FF Street Performance Shocks or Bilstein 4600 Shocks
2. Belltech springs 34324 3-4” rear lowering
3. Belltech alignment kit for upper control arm bushings 4955 (offset bushings with +/- 2 degrees camber
4. Belltech 2410FF street performance shocks x 2 for the rear

Install the 2” spindles up front and adjust the coilovers for correct geometry and height.

I thought about control arms up front, but with the spindles that should take care of any odd alignment angles and not add up the parts list. Of course, the truck would be aligned after installation of all parts.

Interested in your thoughts. Thx.

 

[kbuskill]

Hey guys - Looking for some input and thoughts on lowering the Suburban a bit more.

A couple TYF guys already gave me some great advice, but open to more info, something I am missing or other ideas. Thx guys.

@07Burb @kbuskill we had a good thread, but wanted to reopen and explore more @iamdub

Want to lower the Burb a bit more to close the GTF gap. Not slammed, not tucked, no rake, but similar to my NBS. Sitting nice over the tires, especially since I have some components already installed and looks like I just need a few more to finish it with a bit of a better stance. I was just under 33” on the NBS, so maybe at 33 or so would be great, so probably looking at 2” front and
4-5” rear.

Trying to not replace every component e.g. A arms, etc..but again ideas for my truck and to help other guys as well.

I had the Belltech street performance shocks on the NBS and didn’t have any issues with them. So looking at them again, but have heard Bilsteins talked about too.

Currently sitting around 35” ground to fender lip. Maybe a touch higher in the rear, but mostly leveled. 285/45/22 tires and CK375 reps with +31 offset.

Front end components:

1. Belltech 1-3” Front lowering coilovers (Part No. 5403-001 621)
2. Cognito HD Front Sway bar (Part no. 210-90265)
3. Belltech 2” front spindles Part no. 2509 (not installed but currently in the garage)

Rear end components:

1. Cognito HD Rear Sway bar (Part no. 210-90266
2. Spohn adjustable panhard bar
3. McGaughy’s rear springs 2” (Part no. 0307) with shock relocation brackets (basically McGaughy’s Suspension Lowering Kit 30014)
4. auto ride fuse is currently pulled so it is non-op right now (plus the auto ride shock bladders are done, but the shock is good)
5. Moog sway bar end links Part Number K700538

Here are the additional parts I was thinking after searching online, other TYF members info and calling Belltech direct (their suggestions based on what I already had) since I have some components vs needing an entire drop kit.

1. Belltech 2410FF Street Performance Shocks or Bilstein 4600 Shocks
2. Belltech springs 34324 3-4” rear lowering
3. Belltech alignment kit for upper control arm bushings 4955 (offset bushings with +/- 2 degrees camber
4. Belltech 2410FF street performance shocks x 2 for the rear

Install the 2” spindles up front and adjust the coilovers for correct geometry and height.

I thought about control arms up front, but with the spindles that should take care of any odd alignment angles and not add up the parts list. Of course, the truck would be aligned after installation of all parts.

Interested in your thoughts. Thx.
View attachment 482908View attachment 482909View attachment 482910View attachment 482911

Belltech 4955 offset bushings are not needed and a bad idea as once they are pressed into the arm there is no adjustment.

Belltech 4951 replacement camber plates for the upper control arms will give you 1.5° of additional camber and castor adjustment over stock.

ALIGNMENT KIT - 4951

Established in 1983, Belltech is a manufacturer specializing in suspension for lowering, leveling and lift kits for over 40 years. Every year our R&D department continues to push the boundaries in manufacturing techniques and product design to add new applications to our product listing.

www.belltech.com

I never cared for how the Belltech street performance shocks rode as they seemed softer than what I like. But I prefer a bit firmer ride.

I am currently running KYB Monomax shocks and struts on my Burb.

 

[Fosscore]

Belltech 4955 offset bushings are not needed and a bad idea as once they are pressed into the arm there is no adjustment.

Belltech 4951 replacement camber plates for the upper control arms will give you 1.5° of additional camber and castor adjustment over stock.

ALIGNMENT KIT - 4951

Established in 1983, Belltech is a manufacturer specializing in suspension for lowering, leveling and lift kits for over 40 years. Every year our R&D department continues to push the boundaries in manufacturing techniques and product design to add new applications to our product listing.

www.belltech.com

I never cared for.how the Belltech street performance shocks rode as they seemed softer than what I like. But I prefer a bit firmer ride.

I am currently running KYB Monomax shocks and struts on my Burb.

Thx Ken. I saw another thread about the Monomax shocks, and it was directed at out trucks but from a Toyota Tacoma IIRC, but couldn't find the thread again. Interesting. Do you have the part numbers for those shocks? @kbuskill

Funny about the Belltech 4955 as that was relayed to me by Belltech on the phone. Did you change your control arms up front, because you went down quite a ways, then brought it back up a bit? It must handled really well on that recent trip out west. Such nice pics BTW!! The 4951s are cheaper too. Good info and why I am asking guys like you and compounding on our other thread back and forth. Thx man.

 

[randeez]

Hey guys - Looking for some input and thoughts on lowering the Suburban a bit more.

A couple TYF guys already gave me some great advice, but open to more info, something I am missing or other ideas. Thx guys.

@07Burb @kbuskill we had a good thread, but wanted to reopen and explore more @iamdub

Want to lower the Burb a bit more to close the GTF gap. Not slammed, not tucked, no rake, but similar to my NBS. Sitting nice over the tires, especially since I have some components already installed and looks like I just need a few more to finish it with a bit of a better stance. I was just under 33” on the NBS, so maybe at 33 or so would be great, so probably looking at 2” front and
4-5” rear.

Trying to not replace every component e.g. A arms, etc..but again ideas for my truck and to help other guys as well.

I had the Belltech street performance shocks on the NBS and didn’t have any issues with them. So looking at them again, but have heard Bilsteins talked about too.

Currently sitting around 35” ground to fender lip. Maybe a touch higher in the rear, but mostly leveled. 285/45/22 tires and CK375 reps with +31 offset.

Front end components:

1. Belltech 1-3” Front lowering coilovers (Part No. 5403-001 621)
2. Cognito HD Front Sway bar (Part no. 210-90265)
3. Belltech 2” front spindles Part no. 2509 (not installed but currently in the garage)

Rear end components:

1. Cognito HD Rear Sway bar (Part no. 210-90266
2. Spohn adjustable panhard bar
3. McGaughy’s rear springs 2” (Part no. 0307) with shock relocation brackets (basically McGaughy’s Suspension Lowering Kit 30014)
4. auto ride fuse is currently pulled so it is non-op right now (plus the auto ride shock bladders are done, but the shock is good)
5. Moog sway bar end links Part Number K700538

Here are the additional parts I was thinking after searching online, other TYF members info and calling Belltech direct (their suggestions based on what I already had) since I have some components vs needing an entire drop kit.

1. Belltech 2410FF Street Performance Shocks or Bilstein 4600 Shocks
2. Belltech springs 34324 3-4” rear lowering
3. Belltech alignment kit for upper control arm bushings 4955 (offset bushings with +/- 2 degrees camber
4. Belltech 2410FF street performance shocks x 2 for the rear

Install the 2” spindles up front and adjust the coilovers for correct geometry and height.

I thought about control arms up front, but with the spindles that should take care of any odd alignment angles and not add up the parts list. Of course, the truck would be aligned after installation of all parts.

Interested in your thoughts. Thx.
View attachment 482908View attachment 482909View attachment 482910View attachment 482911

my autoride shocks are around here somewhere, theyve been off the truck for like 8 years so i cant guarantee theyre worth a shit but i think they look better than those

 

[kbuskill]

Thx Ken. I saw another thread about the Monomax shocks, and it was directed at out trucks but from a Toyota Tacoma IIRC, but couldn't find the thread again. Interesting. Do you have the part numbers for those shocks? @kbuskill

Funny about the Belltech 4955 as that was relayed to me by Belltech on the phone. Did you change your control arms up front, because you went down quite a ways, then brought it back up a bit? It must handled really well on that recent trip out west. Such nice pics BTW!! The 4951s are cheaper too. Good info and why I am asking guys like you and compounding on our other thread back and forth. Thx man.

KYB MonoMax 565039
These are the ones I have installed on the rear and they have the same collapsed/extended lengths as the Belltech drop shocks.

They are actually for the front of a Squarebody Suburban, as well as a bunch of other GM vehicles.

I am running stock replacement control arms and am back down at a 4/6 drop with only the cam plates I mentioned. This is with 2" drop spindles and the struts flipped to the bottom of the control arm. So effectively only a 2" drop is seen by the control arms, as the drop spindles don't affect Camber.

The problem with those offset bushings is, as mentioned before, once you press them into the arms there is no adjusting them.

@992dr listened to Belltech and used them and ended up having to buy new control arms after the alignment shop couldn't get his alignment within spec. Too much positive camber and not enough adjustment on the factory cam plates to compensate for it. Check it out... https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/trying-to-get-low.99438/

post #44 https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/trying-to-get-low.99438/post-1191560

 

[07Burb]

Your ride quality will be worse if you go from the coilovers to the Belltech street performance shocks. They are super soft!! I’d just lower more with the coilovers plus spindles for the front. If the coilovers need replaced due to miles then just replace them with new ones. After having both the coilovers and the BT Street shocks there’s no way I’m going back to those BT Street shocks.

 

[Fosscore]

Your ride quality will be worse if you go from the coilovers to the Belltech street performance shocks. They are super soft!! I’d just lower more with the coilovers plus spindles for the front. If the coilovers need replaced due to miles then just replace them with new ones. After having both the coilovers and the BT Street shocks there’s no way I’m going back to those BT Street shocks.

Thx @07Burb. Your statement is the plan. 2" Spindles up front and keep the coilovers up front as well and adjusted. Didn't have plans to change anything else up front. It is the rear that I was most concerned with and if the options proposed were a good choice and of course we have some shock hate for Belltech and other options cropping up. Monomax, that is 2nd time I have seen that or Bilsteins 5100 or 4600 for the rear with a change in springs. Which is good to have these options for real world TYF usage.

 

[Fosscore]

KYB MonoMax 565039
These are the ones I have installed on the rear and they have the same collapsed/extended lengths as the Belltech drop shocks.

They are actually for the front of a Squarebody Suburban, as well as a bunch of other GM vehicles.

I am running stock replacement control arms and am back down at a 4/6 drop with only the cam plates I mentioned. This is with 2" drop spindles and the struts flipped to the bottom of the control arm. So effectively only a 2" drop is seen by the control arms, as the drop spindles don't affect Camber.

The problem with those offset bushings is, as mentioned before, once you press them into the arms there is no adjusting them.

@992dr listened to Belltech and used them and ended up having to buy new control arms after the alignment shop couldn't get his alignment within spec. Too much positive camber and not enough adjustment on the factory cam plates to compensate for it. Check it out... https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/trying-to-get-low.99438/

post #44 https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/trying-to-get-low.99438/post-1191560

Thx Ken @kbuskill I'll have a look at those KYBs. Well noted about the Belltech cam plates vs the offset bushings.

 

[89Suburban]

Good stuff guys

 

[guy from norcal]

I have the mcgaughys 2'' spindles. And i did the strut flip with a 1/2 spacer. i'm at 32" fender to ground, and my alignment is within spec.

 

[Fosscore]

I have the mcgaughys 2'' spindles. And i did the strut flip with a 1/2 spacer. i'm at 32" fender to ground, and my alignment is within spec.

Thx man. What was your rear set up? @guy from norcal

 

[guy from norcal]

The rear is tony's 6" springs. I also bought his spherical rear sway bar mounts.

 

[Fosscore]

Had some fun with the Burb.

Steam cleaned the carpets and they look so much more fresh. That was some nasty brown water. There was a coffee stain under the 3rd row and since they were out to go to Orlando and we had our friends machine, I just did the entire truck while I was at it.

Got the wife motivated to do the couch, which took her a couple hours over two days. I told her to keep going over it and over it again. Between dogs and people, it was time. Much better now.

Lubed the door hinges with some Boeshield T-9 lubricant.

Cleaned the engine bay and just need to dress it.

I also did the free travel mod. Burned thru some grinding discs, bent a few sawzall blades, destroyed a sawzall, had to go buy another at HF, but did not hit the gas tank (check out my piece of metal to protect the tank lol...worked perfectly). Thankfully I started with the driver's side as I was so cautious with the gas tank on the first day. Took me way too long, but was being very careful with the brake lines, ABS sensor, springs and gas tank. You can see the driver's side bracket was removed in pieces and the passenger side went very quickly comparatively and came out in one piece.

The finished product after grinding/sanding with the flapper disc and hit it with some spray paint was "real nice" Clark!

Touched up the calipers and drums too, just didn't get a photo. No comments needed on the raggy OEM shocks. Fuse has been pulled for ages, so air ride is off, but the shocks are working fine. Managed to forget to put the ABS sensor plugs back in before I installed the tires on both sides. Duh! Had to reach thru the wheels to get them pushed back into place. All else is running as it should be.

Did a 400 mile return journey on the same day to Orlando with the wife to collect our son’s dorm belongings. Had a little early 2000's country playing the entire road trip. We reminisced over many albums and concerts we had been to over the years together. It was a fun road trip.

The long body did 421 miles at 17.4 mpg averaging around 72mph and with city driving to UCF and home. $5.00/gallon 89 octane.

Glad he’s home. Time for him to get some summer work, earn some money and keep up with his summer school studies.

 

[07Burb]

I think you needed to use a bigger blade

 

[Fosscore]

I think you needed to use a bigger blade

@07Burb

This blade big enough?

 

[adventurenali92]

I love my steam cleaner. It’s an essential part of my detailing kit. Plus it comes in handy just about everywhere around the house too. I use it as a steam mop on the laminate floors in my kitchen and bathrooms and works like a charm haha.

 

[Fosscore]