rear sag help

[GaryTanner11]

Okay guys, here's the deal. I finally got my leveling/lift installed, and my nitto trail graps with moto metal 951's on my 2001 SLT. 3" keys up front with Bilstein 5100's, 2" spacers in the rear with Bilstein 5100's. The Problem is that I have the height where it clears the tires in the front, but the rear sags to much for my liking. So my question is, should I get some z71 springs and reinstall the spacers to see if that lifts it up enough, or maybe just get lifted coil springs and not have to use the spacers? Which would be better? I've seen ALOT of guys using the z71 springs, but would they really give me enough lift to justify picking some up? Help would be GREATLY appreciated!

 

[Screwd up 6]

Did you have regular LT/LS springs prior to the spacers? Or did you have autoride or the heavy duty nivo mats? Being that you have a SLT there is a chance you have one of the above. The shock on a nivomat or autoride is about 3" diameter...really beefy looking compared to a normal shock. Nivomat shocks are NOT ran by a compressor, they are just a bigger shock to help with towing.

The reason I ask is a lot of people swap those shocks out for 5100s and don't realize that the spring rate for the coils are different. Long story short, if you run 5100s or regular shocks with the autoride and nivomat shocks, then you will sag more than before. You have to swap the springs out too.

I had nivomats and went to z71 springs, 1.50 spacer, and 33" cooper stt (which measured to 32.50" tall) and my rear fender height was about 40-41".

What is tire size and rear fender measurements?

 

[GaryTanner11]

I'm not sure whether they are the autoride/nivomats but they are most certainly bigger than the stock front shocks, these things were pretty massive. I can't get a fender measurement because its raining cats and dogs here but the tire size is 285/60r18. So would the z71 springs and my 2" spacers pick her up?

 

[Screwd up 6]

If they are bigger then you probably had nivomats in the back. And when you add regular shocks, the back will lower and actually ride horrible. You will bottom out a lot and it will ride really slushy. I would suggest picking up some MOOG z71 springs from rock auto. They are only about $60.

With 2" spacers and 285 on a z71 spring, you should sit about 41" and some change.

Right now I wouldn't be surprised if you are as low as 37 with the 2" spacers and the coils from the nivomat set up.

SOme will say the z springs ride rough, when I had them I didn't notice much of any difference from my nivomat set up. I currently have the stock LS model springs in the rear and I lost about 1" when I went to them from the nivomat set up. I plan to buy z71 springs soon. Just deciding if I want to do spacers and spindles to lift the truck back up.

 

[GaryTanner11]

thanks so much man, I REALLY appreciate it, and yes you are totally right. the rear end is super slushy. a little tighter rougher ride wouldn't hurt my feelings at all. I'll try to pick some moog's up after my paycheck this week.

---------- Post added at 10:01 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:54 AM ----------

On Rockauto.com I don't see any MOOG springs marked specifically z71. would it be part #81069, what they call heavy duty replacement? as opposed to their standard duty replacement?

 

[Screwd up 6]

Yes, 81069 is what I ran in my truck with no problems what so ever. I also didn't seem to think the ride was as horrible as some claim the z71 springs will do. It was normal to me.

From what I know the Heavyduty ones are the z71 springs. This is just their terminology. That part number is the z71 springs tho.

Standard duty replacement will just be the non nivomat springs (similar to what I have now). The non z71 ...LS model springs. I lost about an inch when I went to these recently after my nivomats blew. The LS standard springs are about .50-.75" less than z71 springs on fender height when installed.

 

[GaryTanner11]

thanks man I really appreciate it. sweet looking truck by the way

 

[Screwd up 6]

Thanks...need to change the pic...its not like that anymore. I kept the lift for 2 months then sold it all. Went back to stock...and then upgraded to 285 because the 265s looked too small. Now it kinda looks stuffed...might be ordering lift again next week or so ::shakes head::

 

[Screwd up 6]

Did you ever order them? Post up your results when you do.

 

[GaryTanner11]

Yeah man I got them in, just trying to find the time to put them on there. Ill post as soon as I get it done.