Truck Suspension

MGEE

MEMBER
2000 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
V8
4WD
MANUAL
103 MILES

Can I upgrade my 2000 Silverado Independent Front Suspension to improve towing without putting a Lift Kit in it? It is only a 1/2 ton (1500), but I am only towing 2 four wheelers. I would like to install an upgrade before the suspension gets "wore out" or "tired". Where can I go to find it? Everytime I search on Google, it is bringing me to sites with lift kits only. Thanks in advance for the help!

5 Replies

JDL

MECHANIC
16,098 POSTS

I wouldn't think you would need it for the front? Do you have electronic suspension?

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Saturday, April 9th, 2011 AT 4:57 PM

MGEE

MEMBER
11 POSTS

I do not believe so. I am sure it is equipped with the "Real Time Damping System. This adjusts vehicle height according to pay load. More specifically, I was interested in upgrading the tie rods, upper and lower control arms and shocks to something more "heavy duty". The shocks I can find. It's the other stuff I'm not aware of. The existing equipment is not showing any malfunction or need for replacement. Just wondered if there's something available that's a bit more stout.

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Saturday, April 9th, 2011 AT 5:27 PM

JDL

MECHANIC
16,098 POSTS

That is electronic suspension. Most of the heavy duty parts I saw was for the rear. I don't how that might effect the electronics, if at all?

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Saturday, April 9th, 2011 AT 6:34 PM

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,742 POSTS

The suspension on the truck has very little to do with towing, especially such a small trailer. It's the braking you should be concerned with and your truck is more than capable of stopping that trailer.

I drag around a fully-loaded 7'x14" enclosed tandem axle trailer with an '88 Grand Caravan. I don't even need the electric brakes. I would be pretty embarrassed if you HAVE to beef up your truck to pull that trailer. It's good that you are looking into the ramifications of pulling a trailer, but you're not going to wear anything out any faster by doing so. The front suspension parts don't even know there's a trailer in the picture. You may also find that your truck has tie rod ends and ball joints in common with the 2500 series. Heavy duty shock absorbers won't add anything to the towing ability. At best, they will help control the bouncing when you're carrying a heavy load in the truck, but not when dragging it behind.

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Saturday, April 9th, 2011 AT 7:27 PM

MGEE

MEMBER
11 POSTS

Thank you so much for the reassurance. I realize the truck doesn't need to be upgraded, but I thought if I was planning on owning it for another 100k miles, it might save some future headache. I do plan to add a little extra to the rear suspension, but otherwise it sounds like I'm already in good shape. Thanks again for the feedback, I couldn't find anyone else to confirm one way or another for me.