GMT800 Stiffer front torsion AND rear coil springs?

[Marky Dissod]

Yday I did a friend a HUGE favor: folded down the seats & loaded about 450SqFt of rolled-up Kentucky BlueGrass into the back of my Tahoe Z71.
(Any idea how much that weighs?)
Wish I'd had the presence of mind to take measurements, damnt, but I know these things:
1. Unloaded, my Z71 is too tall (by less than 1.9") for some Manhattan garages, where they tend to charge me 'large' or 'extra large' rates,
depending on parking demand
Normally I don't avoid most bumps dips or holes even with 4 riders on board, except for the scariest hugest ones
2. Loaded up, the GM OE trailer hitch was under 13" off the ground, dragging @$$.
Struck a very mild depression that a Honda Fit should have shrugged off effortlessly.
After hearing / feeling a mild 'bonk', I was forced to avoid EVERY bump I could;
mitigated the ones I could not by driving 10MpH UNDER the posted speed limit (NYC speed limits are insulting)
and choosing my lines CAREFULLY.

I NEED stiffer springs, front (torsion bars) AND rear (coils), if only because I'm almost sure to do my friend another heavy favor.
It's not just about better handling anymore, I need to '2500' my Tahoe.
Anybody got any ideas?

(for the record, the GMT900 front brakes did just fine.)

 

[Marky Dissod]

Um, Is there ANYONE with a GMT800 2500, Suburban OR pickup truck, IN NYC or near the NYC area?
I'd REALLY appreciate being able to take a 'test drive', to try to get an idea how much stiffer I can go with my Tahoe's springs, front AND back.

If I'm going to haul so much weight that my tow hitch winds up only 1ft off the ground,
I NEED STIFFER SPRINGS than what GM considered OE for an '02 Tahoe Z71.
I'm the type who wants to use what GM considered OE in ANY GMT800 vehicle, maybe a Suburban 2500?
Would genuinely appreciate any help y'all can provide in turning my Z71 into a 'Tahoe 2500' ...

 

[6speedblazer]

I'm a big fan of the oem air suspension. You get the plush ride when unloaded, but then extra load capacity when loaded with people/gear/trailers. I pieced together a kit for a buddies Silverado that's lowered 5/7 so he can still tow. It consisted of air shocks, then a Viar compressor on a switch. I put a low PSI air switch in so it would always air the bags up to about 5-7psi to prevent running them empty, then he had a manual switch on the dash with a gauge to dump and fill as needed.

I have read but have not personally done it. But Hummer H2 coils fit the GMT800 and will provide some lift and cargo capacity.

 

[Marky Dissod]

I'm a big fan of the oem air suspension. You get the plush ride when unloaded, but then extra load capacity when loaded with people/gear/trailers.
I pieced together a kit for a buddies Silverado that's lowered 5/7 so he can still tow. It consisted of air shocks, then a Viar compressor on a switch.
I put a low PSI air switch in so it would always air the bags up to about 5-7psi to prevent running them empty,
then he had a manual switch on the dash with a gauge to dump and fill as needed.

I'm not much of an air suspension guy. Also, not crazy about the 'plush ride'; vastly prefer stiffer sprung vehicles for better swerve-ability.
This recent incident where I was dumb enough to carry about 2000lb of Kentucky BlueGrass as a favor for a friend
made me realize that, moreso than stiffer swaybars, I really want stiffer front & rear springs.

I have read but have not personally done it. But Hummer H2 coils fit the GMT800 and will provide some lift and cargo capacity.

Any lift would be unwelcome, but just the fact that H2 coils work gives me some hope, thanks.

 

[6speedblazer]

Fair enough, air suspension is not everyone's cup of tea.

With that being said, rock auto lists some rear coil springs listed as cargomaxx HD, they list 70% more cargo capacity at standard height. I have never personally used them or looked into them much, but that's another option for you to explore.

When I used to work on HD truck we worked with a local spring shop to make custom leaf springs for our trucks to increase the load capacity. You could try calling a spring shop and see if they do coil springs.

 

[Marky Dissod]

A few more questions ...

Tahoes/Yukons & 1500 Suburbans/XLs use the exact same rear coils? My 1st idea was to use Suburban coils, but if they're identical that's pointless.
If I use Hummer H2 rear coils, will that result in any lifting UNloaded? I'm very seriously considering S10 body mounts because I can't go even a hair higher.
Are there any other coils from any other model vehicles (preferably GM) that are compatible with my Tahoe?

When I used to work on HD trucks we worked with a local spring shop to make custom leaf springs for our trucks to increase the load capacity.
You could try calling a spring shop and see if they do coil springs.

I like this suggestion, just need to find a coil spring shop.

Authored a thread years ago at the Impala SS Forum showing not only Moog coil springs that Moog SAYS are for Caprices / RoadMasters / Fleetwoods,
but the springs that Moog had overlooked that were ALSO compatible with those cars based on spring dimensionalities.
Unfortunately I can't find Moog's most dimensionally persnickety catalog, so I can pore over it with a fine tooth comb again ...