Suspension mod's to carry 2005 1181 Lance

I originally went with upper stable loads only on my 2012 chevy 3500hd due to the lack of clearance on the lower overload spring.

Due to my constant search for better, I added the lower stable loads. I only had 1/2" gap at empty ride height. Installing requires raising or unloading the rear suspension, I use a floor jack placed under the hitch. The result was a noticeable improvement in handling. I recommend using the upper and lower. The lowers cause a clicking noise due to removal of the lower plastic spring pad. This clicking is only noticeable when you disengage the lower stable load. Can only hear clicking with windows open at slow speeds with bumpy road.

Hi Everyone: Thanks for your help on this topic. I found out from Torklift they do not provide Part #'s for Lower Quick Release Stable Loads for 2015 GMC 3500HD because there is very little space between the lower spring and the rest of the spring pack.
(Good Afternoon Christl,
Thank you for your inquiry and support. I appreciate you for allowing me the opportunity to assist you. The reason why we do not have lower overload Stableloads confirmed for that truck is because of the lack of gap between the leaf spring and the bottom of the spring pack. Most of the trucks we tested on had little to no gap and could maybe fit 1 plate in there. A7202 has been a better fitment due to the amount of gap between the upper spring and the bump stop. I would recommend looking into the upper A7202’s.)

I will be going with Upper Stable Loads, Hellwig Big Wig Sway Bar. and see how stock shocks preform first time and go from there based on everyone's input.
One quick question - I have Rancho 9000 shocks on my GMC 1500. Are they different then the Rancho 9000 shocks for a 2015 GMC 3500HD? cheers Christl

mdpay wrote:
I have an aftermarket rear stabilizer bar. The front factory bar works fine for me. Here is link.


http://www.hellwigproducts.com/products/big-wig/the-big-wig/

As to the priority of my previous list, to carry a heavy load like my 1181, requires a few mods all at once.

Hi mdpay: thanks for confirming that I would only need a rear sway bar and the link. I like the Big Wig also cause it is a little beefier. cheers christl

MORSNOW wrote:

Christl wrote:

Every ones comments have been helpful and thank you. It seems that Lower Torklift Stableload Quick Disconnects are not available for the 2015 3500HD GMC due to it likely not having a lower overload spring. Is anyone aware of this?
From my understanding then, the effect of the bolt in-place upper torklift stable loads should be similar to adding rear timbres - would this understanding be correct or is there quite a difference between the two products in how they function? cheers Christl

You should have a lower overload spring, GM has the same chassis 2011-2015, only the body changed in 2015.

Upper Stableloads are very different than Timbrens. The upper Stableload fills in the gap between the upper overload and the engagement pad. Timbrens replace the bump stop between the frame and axle. Upper Stableloads use your factory springs for suspension, Timbrens are a rubber spring.

Morsnow Thanks for excellent description of physical difference between timbrens and upper stable loads. I will check with dealer on whether 2015 GMC has a lower overload spring. I checked Torklift website and they do not appear to list a part number for a lower quick release stable load so I will confirm it with them. Cheers thanks

I have an aftermarket rear stabilizer bar. The front factory bar works fine for me. Here is link.


http://www.hellwigproducts.com/products/big-wig/the-big-wig/

As to the priority of my previous list, to carry a heavy load like my 1181, requires a few mods all at once.

Christl wrote:

Every ones comments have been helpful and thank you. It seems that Lower Torklift Stableload Quick Disconnects are not available for the 2015 3500HD GMC due to it likely not having a lower overload spring. Is anyone aware of this?
From my understanding then, the effect of the bolt in-place upper torklift stable loads should be similar to adding rear timbres - would this understanding be correct or is there quite a difference between the two products in how they function? cheers Christl

You should have a lower overload spring, GM has the same chassis 2011-2015, only the body changed in 2015.

Upper Stableloads are very different than Timbrens. The upper Stableload fills in the gap between the upper overload and the engagement pad. Timbrens replace the bump stop between the frame and axle. Upper Stableloads use your factory springs for suspension, Timbrens are a rubber spring.

mdpay,
Good R&D here on your Chevy. Seems a very thoughtful, methodical, step by step, 'Add device and see what it does' mentality. I like it. You are so right on the differences in suspensions of the same make and model for different years. We've seen some mfgrs. go in and out of phase with wonders like, The Mono Spring. Who? Who thought that was a good idea? The best rear suspension ride on a pickup is one that will never, ever see any kind of load. Just make it work with a spring rate flimsy enough to give a good ride with plenty of travel and lots of shocking.
Currie has the best control apparatus for air bag and coil spring jeeps (small j). It's called the Rok Shock. Essentially an anti sway bar in a hinged, dog leg format. It is a mystery to me why it works so well, but I have seen it do absolute wonders to high suspension travel, off road rigs. I'm still waiting for something like this for us TC-er's.
jefe

mdpay wrote:
I have a lance 1181 that is carried on my 2012 Chevy dually diesel. I spent countless hours researching and testing suspension set ups. Keep in mind GM made significant changes to the HD pickups for 2011, so comparing trucks prior to 2011 is like apple and oranges. Here is what I found works best for me.

My goals were to have the best possible handling while hauling camper, BUT not to sacrifice ANY empty ride comfort.

Final set up.

Torklift stable loads, upper and lower.
Hellwig Big Wig stabilizer bar
Ranch rear shocks
1 additional rear OVERLOAD spring
Lance cabover shocks

I tried many combinations. The first 3 are must haves to me. I remove the upper stable loads and swing the lowers out of the way when not hauling. It requires a floor jack to gain the clearance, but the empty ride improvement is worth it to me. I also remove one side of the stabilizer link to further improve empty ride comfort. Takes me 10-15 minutes to disconnect or reconnect everything. The lower stable loads will make a clicking noise when disengaged. I can only hear it at low speeds with windows down.

The additional rear overload is worth the handling improvement, not huge but noticeable. Very easy to add, I went to a local spring shop where they had some factory take-offs. When not hauling, I remove the upper stable loads, then the overload spring does not make contact unless you hit big bumps. I tried adding 2 factory overloads for a total of 4 on each side but that was too much and harsh even while hauling the camper. Once I decided on the 1 additional overload spring, i trimmed about one or 1.5 inches from the upper overloads. I wanted the lower spring pack to be fully engaged before the upper overloads. Worked great for me.

Overall, I like my set up because its easy to return to stock like ride. Airbags give a harsher ride even when empty, small but noticeable even at 1-5psi. They also CAN leak and CAN cause headaches. Timbrens can also be noticeable when empty. Only an inch or 2 of empty travel before contacting the Timbren.

Goodluck.

Every ones comments have been helpful and thank you. It seems that Lower Torklift Stableload Quick Disconnects are not available for the 2015 3500HD GMC due to it likely not having a lower overload spring. Is anyone aware of this?
From my understanding then, the effect of the bolt in-place upper torklift stable loads should be similar to adding rear timbres - would this understanding be correct or is there quite a difference between the two products in how they function? cheers Christl

Your upgrades should be progressive to see how your truck handles with the addition of each one. Start with the StableLoads and see if you need more items after a couple of trips.

mdpay wrote:
I have a lance 1181 that is carried on my 2012 Chevy dually diesel. I spent countless hours researching and testing suspension set ups. Keep in mind GM made significant changes to the HD pickups for 2011, so comparing trucks prior to 2011 is like apple and oranges. Here is what I found works best for me.

My goals were to have the best possible handling while hauling camper, BUT not to sacrifice ANY empty ride comfort.

Final set up.

Torklift stable loads, upper and lower.
Hellwig Big Wig stabilizer bar
Ranch rear shocks
1 additional rear OVERLOAD spring
Lance cabover shocks

I tried many combinations. The first 3 are must haves to me. I remove the upper stable loads and swing the lowers out of the way when not hauling. It requires a floor jack to gain the clearance, but the empty ride improvement is worth it to me. I also remove one side of the stabilizer link to further improve empty ride comfort. Takes me 10-15 minutes to disconnect or reconnect everything. The lower stable loads will make a clicking noise when disengaged. I can only hear it at low speeds with windows down.

The additional rear overload is worth the handling improvement, not huge but noticeable. Very easy to add, I went to a local spring shop where they had some factory take-offs. When not hauling, I remove the upper stable loads, then the overload spring does not make contact unless you hit big bumps. I tried adding 2 factory overloads for a total of 4 on each side but that was too much and harsh even while hauling the camper. Once I decided on the 1 additional overload spring, i trimmed about one or 1.5 inches from the upper overloads. I wanted the lower spring pack to be fully engaged before the upper overloads. Worked great for me.

Overall, I like my set up because its easy to return to stock like ride. Airbags give a harsher ride even when empty, small but noticeable even at 1-5psi. They also CAN leak and CAN cause headaches. Timbrens can also be noticeable when empty. Only an inch or 2 of empty travel before contacting the Timbren.

Goodluck.

Confirmation needed - is that a rear Hellwig Bib Wig Stabilizer Bar or front one you added. I am not familiar with them and trying to google them. Thanks for excellent information - was hoping that I would have needed less number of modes. Of the 3 mod's you mentioned must haves, would you install them in that order also and try each one out?