Coilovers?

[Vimes]

2003 Dakota, Corvette suspension

I'm now not going to have a choice since we've determined the front cradle won't work - I HAVE to do coilovers now as we're using the Corvette A arms but not the front cradle. Up front they've built a tubular K member that will let the engine go where it has to. I do not know what the final spring rate will be so I'll be wanting something that the springs can be changed on or, better yet, a company that understands the project in progress and will supply a dummy coilover that is pretty much the upper and lower mounts their coilovers come with, with a steel shaft between them that can be adjusted up and down for building purposes.

My main goals are a balance between handling and ride comfort since my wife (with a surgically repaired back) will be riding in the truck. I do want to occasionally track this truck, but for the most part it's going to be a touring machine so I need something that can carve those corners in comfort even if it means giving up a little carving speed. So - recommendations?



Also, does anyone know what the center to center measurement would be for a C5 Corvette? Builder needs to know so he can build the mount in the correct location.

[dontlifttoshift]

Low cost - QA1 twin tubes
Best monotube for the money - ridetech

After that, go here https://upspeedshop.com/product/ulti...ilover-shocks/

They can build whatever you want and can absolutely focus on ride quality without trading performance.

[dhutton]

I got the C5 JRI coilovers for my Cameo pickup from Ryan at After Dark Speed. Nice guy, great to deal with. He also has Viking coilovers.

https://afterdarkspeed.com/product-c...y/c5-corvette/

Don

[dontlifttoshift]

Ryan is good people.

Once you decide to spend JRi money, having them custom built and valved for your application really isn't much more.

[Vimes]

Going to have to think a bit but at the moment I am leaning towards the Ridetechs. I do still need the center to center length on a C5. Would anyone who owns one be able to measure mount to mount on a front and rear shock on their car at ride height? The frame guy is going to make some placeholders so I won't have to buy coilovers until I know what the front and rear weights will be.

[dontlifttoshift]

RideTechs instructions are here and the have the stroke length. https://ridetech.com/product/c5-c6-c...ystem-level-1/

RideTech should be able to confirm extended/compressed/ride height measurements with a phone call.

I would think you would want a different top mount on the front shocks if you are fabricating anyways.

[Vimes]

Ugh, I hate calling companies until I'm ready to buy but in this instance I don't think I'll have a choice.

[Vimes]

Wasn't able to call so I sent a message to Josh@ridetech, hopefully I get a response before Monday. Going down EARLY to the shop that day.

Unfortunately, while the website does list the coilover lengths, it's a "can't get there from here" situation, unless I'm just missing it. The part numbers listed on the instructions that have the shock lengths and ride heights to not correspond to the part numbers for the coilover sets.

[dhutton]

Is this just for the front? If yes why are you not just using a universal builders coilover and your builder setting the upper shock mount accordingly instead of messing with the corvette compatible upper mount?

This should be business as usual for your builder.

[Vimes]

I'm going down Monday and can discuss that, but in any case I'll still need to know the correct ride height.

[dhutton]

I'm going down Monday and can discuss that, but in any case I'll still need to know the correct ride height.

Your builder should know how to set the ride height. His mounts will determine the shock length. This is normal practice for any chassis build.

[Vimes]

Didn't get a chance to talk about it, had other issues come up. It'll be a couple of weeks before I can get back.

[Vimes]

Went down and discussed it with him this week. Setting the ride height isn't an issue, sounds like I misunderstood what he was talking about. So far as stock vs universal, he said either isn't a problem, but that I'd need to make sure any universal parts use the stock rear LCA mount since it's got that large U with the cross bar built into the LCA. Anyway, I have some calls to make now, to see what can be done for this and see what coilovers I'll be using. Thanks for the help on this.

[dhutton]

Went down and discussed it with him this week. Setting the ride height isn't an issue, sounds like I misunderstood what he was talking about. So far as stock vs universal, he said either isn't a problem, but that I'd need to make sure any universal parts use the stock rear LCA mount since it's got that large U with the cross bar built into the LCA. Anyway, I have some calls to make now, to see what can be done for this and see what coilovers I'll be using. Thanks for the help on this.

That is why I asked if it was for the front. If you are using the Corvette rear arms with an IRS then yes you will need Corvette specific coilovers for the rear.