Uncategorized
What Coilover Brackets Do I Need?
This is the most common question I get about how to pick which bracket kit you need for your Torsion Bar truck. It is pretty easy to figure out based on what you are wanting between lowered, stock height, or lifted, so lets walk through it.
I rewrote this article in August of 2021 to be simpler and more clear.
Will your brackets work on a 2500 or 2500HD?
The short answer is no. My brackets are intended for the 1500 trucks. My upper brackets can be used on the 2500s, however they will need to be welded instead of bolted due to the frame differences between the 1500 and 2500 frames. The Lower brackets are not compatible. Additionally I do not recommend this swap on the 2500s, especially if you have a diesel or tow, because of the weight and lack of readily available suitable aftermarket springs that will fit without a lot of modification. If you have one of these trucks BDS makes a coilover kit, or a solid axle swap (SAS) may be a better option for you.
If you are wanting to stay at stock height or go lower (~0-3″ drop)
You will need the full normal kit with the stud top bushings. If you purchase the full kit option that includes the coilovers they will include these brackets. A 2-3″ drop is my most common kit and works very well with stock spindle and control arms. This is the ideal height for racing and general performance as it maintains good CV angles and front end geometry.
If you want a lot of drop (~4-5″ drop)
You will need the kit as discussed above as well as a drop spindle. The typical 2-3″ drop coilover kit with a 2″ drop spindle will make it a 4-5″ drop. You will probably need the belltech offset UCA bushings to correct the alignment specs so it can be aligned (I don’t sell this but they are easy to find online). This is with the stock control arms.
If you want more than 5″+ of drop
You will need to a custom lower control arm to move the mounting points further apart in addition to the coilovers. You will also likely need a lowering spindle also. I generally do not recommend going this low.
If you want slightly lifted (~0-3″ lift)
You will want my “lifted style” brackets, their purpose is to move the top shock mount away from the UCA to create clearance because of the shock angle. 3″ is the most lift I recommend on an otherwise stock truck without having a lift kit that drops the LCA and front differential to correct the front end geometry. The droop stop on the frame will contact the UCA preventing the suspension from cycling if you go higher than this, resulting in a rough ride and inadequate travel. I do not recommend modifying this stop as it is there to protect the front end from damage.
If you want more lift or have a lift kit installed that drops the differential and/or LCA (4-7″ lift)
You will want my “lifted style” brackets and you will also need an aftermarket lift kit that drops the front diff and LCAs. Any of the typical lift kits will work as long as the UCA remains in the factory spot on the frame and is not relocated down (as is sometimes the case with “full-drop” lift kits). If you try to go too high the droop stop on the frame will contact the UCA preventing the suspension from cycling if you go higher than this, resulting in a rough ride and inadequate travel. I do not recommend modifying this stop as it is there to protect the front end from damage.
Selecting Shocks and Springs
When you order, please add this measurement in the notes section and include some details about your truck such as year, model, intended use, and any heavy accessories you have installed. When you measure (see picture), make sure the truck is on the ground with weight on the wheels and try to get it as close to the height you want. If you want to go higher, use a floor jack under the frame to put it where you want it then measure. If you are lowered then measure as it sits and tell me how much lower you want to go than it currently is.
I don’t generically list springs and shocks since every setup will be a little bit different and I want to make sure you are happy with it. If you don’t want my help that is perfectly fine, but if you do want help selecting springs and shocks please include this measurement.
I don’t want to use Viking shocks, I want to use something else (FOX, King, etc.)
That is fine as shocks and springs can generally be swapped around as long as they are the right size for the application. Viking and QA1 have a much better selection of shocks in the length range needed for dropped to slightly lifted trucks. Fox or king generally have longer shocks that will only work well on trucks lifted 4″ and higher. My brackets use a 1/2″ mounting bolt and the bearing width distance is 1-3/8″, so as long as your shocks will fit this they will work fine. I am only a dealer for Viking and do not sell the other brands.
Can I use aftermarket Upper Control Arms?
Yes, you can use whatever upper control arms you want as long as they have the same or more clearance as compared to stock. Stock control arms are fine also.
Do you offer this kit for an 03 Chevy Silverado 1500 HD crew cab?? Thanks
Did you ever get an answer to this question? I’ve got a 2003 1500hd and I’d be interested in these.
Did you ever get an answer to this question? I’ve got a 2002 1500hd and I’d be interested in these.
My kits only work for the 1500 trucks and not any of the 1500HD or 2500+ trucks since their LCA and frame is different. However you can do the swap on these trucks by bolting the shock directly to the LCA, but I do not recommend this without reinforcing the mount, and I also do not recommend this you tow at all.
Do you mean reinforce the mounting point on the lca?
Do these work on 04 Tahoe
Yes, works on any GMT800 99-07 classic fullsize torsion bar GM truck. Silverado, sierra, yukon, tahoe, escalade, etc.
I have a 2002 Silverado with 3inch torsion bar lift would like to know what brackets to get
You would want the lifted style brackets
can i slap the full lift bracket kit on my 95 single cab gmc z71? the end result im wanting is a 3” level from stock on the front but with the coil over strut for better ride quality
Hi, unfortunately no, my brackets are only for 99-06 and 07+ trucks. I do not currently have anything except seat brackets for the 88-98 trucks.
I was wondering if you ever plan on building kits for the 88-98 gm trucks?
Seems like it would be similar
Glad somebody is finally doing this! Beautiful work!
Hi Allen, thank you, but no I do not have plans to do the 88-98 trucks at this time as the LCA design on those is completely different. Thanks
Will it work on a 2005 Tahoe? I think they are kinda the same.
Yes, my kit works fine for the 2000 and up Tahoes and other SUVs.
I have a 93 GMC Sierra Z71. Do you have a kit that works for my truck?
Jerry, I do not currently make anything to fit the GMT400 (88-98) trucks except seat brackets, sorry.
For 01 gmc 1500 Z71 2″ lift best upper bracket? I drive 4 hours a day
Hi, my standard brackets will work at that height, however if you plan to go any higher at any point I would recommend starting out with my Lifted Brackets. They also work fine for any other height so if you want them now for a 2″ lift that is also fine.
06 Silverado with 6″ procomp lift. What do I need
Send me an email at atomicfandp@gmail.com and I will get you taken care of. Thanks
i have and need the same. what’d you guys come up with
gauge12 what’d you end up going with
Hello Richard I have 2006 Cadillac Escalade on 26inch rims. I have the back dialed in perfect with upper and lower trailing arms, panhard bar, relocation brackets, shock extenders, 4inch drop springs with firestone airbag insert, and street performance shocks. For the front 2 inch spindle, torsion key turned down and street performance shocks. I despise how my front rides and I’m ready to convert to coilover. Ironically my measurement is practically the same as yours in the photo. So with you your help what is the best setup for my vehicle. Thanks.
Hello Richard I have 2006 Cadillac Escalade on 26inch rims. I have the back dialed in perfect with upper and lower trailing arms, panhard bar, relocation brackets, shock extenders, 4inch drop springs with firestone airbag insert, and street performance shocks. For the front 2 inch spindle, torsion key turned down and street performance shocks. I despise how my front rides and I’m ready to convert to coilover. Ironically my measurement is practically the same as yours in the photo. So with you your help what is the best setup for my vehicle. Thanks.
Hey guys, I have a 2002 Chevy Tahoe 4×4. Suspension is all stock except the torsion lift keys and longer shocks. I have 35″ tires on it also. So what I want to do is pick it up a little more then what the torsion lift keys will do. It rides like shit as I’m sure you know, with the keys tightened up all the way. So my goal is to sit about like as 4″ lift. But with out that nasty lift kit drop down garbage hanging under the truck. With your brackets can I set it up to sit that high? Welding is not a problem for me I can do all of that stuff. Also to sit like that what kind of coilovers should I get for it? Do any of the stock truck takeoff work for it? Let me know. Proatv13@gmail.com thank you!! And killer idea to come up with a set up to put the torsion bars in the scrap bin where they belong!!
“Can” you make something for the 2003 4wd 2500hd Silverado
Will be towing, never any super heavy loads, mostly cummins and pull trucks.
I’m getting blitzkriegs mid Travel kit as well but that’s for shocks, I’m not 100% on coil overs but eventually will be turning the truck into a fun ine
By changing the t bar to coil over will I still maintain my lift in the front of the truck? 3 inch of lift is due to ford keys on Chevy t bars
Hi Tim, yes you can keep your lift with the coilovers by selecting the proper shock and spring and adding the right amount of spring preload. Up to about 3″ of lift on a factory setup is possible with my lifted brackets. Send me an email if you need further help, thanks!
Hello,do you have a kit for a 1999 tahoe? I would like 2 remove my tortion bars.
Hi Michael, no sir I do not have anything except seat brackets for the 88-98 trucks at this time.
Hi, kinda piggybacking on what tim said..
I have a rough country 2in leveling kit. It works with torsion keys obviously, If I order the lifted coilover package can I have them set to a 3-4in lift?
Hi Daniel, yes 3-4″ is possible, however I don’t recommend more than 3″ as the front end angles get rather extreme (ball joints, tie rods, CVs, etc.) just as they would with an extreme torsion bar crank. Thanks
Hi, I have a 2006 Chevy Silverado 3500 dually and I was wondering if you do have something that would fit like the one you make GM Torsion Bar to Coilover Brackets for Lifted Trucks. And coil overs and do you have a full kit that will work for my truck or do I have to buy the brackets from you and buy my coils and etc myself.
Im looking to convert my torsion to coilovers with one of your lower bracket kits.I have an 05 Dodge Ram 1500 4wd and am looking to crank the torsions up abt 2” to level the front end. Should I do this through the factory torsion or could it be done with the new coilovers ?
Thanks
Greg Spellman
I have a 2002 GMC Yukon at stock ride height. I also have the auto ride (air compressor and air shocks) my front shocks are also somehow incorporated into this apparently because they have some kind of connector running to them, are there any spring/shock setups that are compatible with the auto ride system?
Hi, I have a 1995 tahoe 4×4 with torsion bars and want to remove them and install coil overs looks like you don’t have any kit. Thanks Brian
’03 z71 Tahoe, leveled 2.5″ with Cognito uca’s. I’m planning on adding a 6″ lift.
The logical move is to go with the lifted brackets. What is the travel loss/gain, if any, in relation to your full normal kit? Essentially, is the difference enough to warrant purchasing the full normal kit to run until the lift is installed, then buying the lifted bracket when needed?
Thx
I have a 2008 chevy Silverado hd diesel what brackets di I need
Will this kit work on a 99 chevy tahoe 4dr 4wd
Will your kit work on a 2005 chev. 2 wheel drive express van
I believe so, as long as it shares the same LCA and overall suspension setup as the trucks and SUVs. Shoot me some pictures to atomicfandp@gmail.com and I can give you a better idea.
I’m interested in your conversion kit , I have a 2007 Silverado classic . I plan on doing a bds 6.5” lift on it and want to run coil overs in the future as I would be going off road. Not extream off road but trails and maybe some minor “whoops” . My question is will your brackets along with the proper shock setup be considered safe for off-road use and hold up to some moderate abuse ?
Thanks
I was wondering if your bracket kit would work on a 2001 gmc 2500hd duramax an what modification would be needed. I rather not spend thousands of dollars on a complete coilover conversion.
No sir, my brackets only work for 1500 trucks. I do not have anything for 1500HD/2500HD/3500HD trucks at this time.
No sir, my brackets only work with 1500 trucks and I do not have anything for the 1500HD/2500/3500 trucks at this time.
Interested in how durable these parts are? Swapping to coilovers from torsion bar is at times a step to pre-runner style suspension. Will this hold up at higher speed offroad? Or should I just do the full suspension upgrade? I won’t racing or doing 100 mph offroad, but won’t be crawling either. I cruise pretty good on some rough terrain with torsion bars and the ride isn’t terrible.
Hi Rob, they are made from 3/8″ thick steel, they are extremely durable. You would be more likely to crack the frame on your truck than damage my brackets although I do not recommend high-speed driving because of the potential for some other part failing. Needless to say I have never had an issue with my coilover brackets not standing up to any abuse thrown at them.
I have a 2004 chevy 1500 4×4 and i was wondering if i could get 10 inches of lift out of just your mounts and coilovers
No sir, you can get up to 3″ of lift safely without any other mods. When combined with a lift kit that drops the front diff and LCAs (but keeps the UCA in the stock position) you can get about 8″ of lift.
Will the kit work with upper control arms meant for 2-3” keys
Yes, you can use any UCA you want as long as it stays in the stock position on the frame.
Can I use the lifted shocks on the regular brackets?
The shocks are specd per your ride height, so there arent really lifted shocks, just bracket styles. The brackets depend if you are wanting to be lowered or lifted, more than 1″ over stock must use the lifted brackets.