Air Ride to Spring Conversion

[Saxis]

I don't see the updated thread.

I noticed that vibration too, around 50 MPH (IIRC it was gone when I hit higher speeds on the freeway), so that is probably due to the alignment. I have put that on hold since I hope to get new tires this week.

Link to my Build Thread in my previous post. I just updated that to reflect the suspension mods and added a current picture. I'll post a couple more I took while doing the lift... Unfortunately, I completely spaced taking pictures before I started the rear, and of the stock Air Springs coming out.

Had some issues with the small spring compressor, so we put the big one on to compress, then held it with the small one while we did the work.


Rear Z71 Springs going in...


This is the drivers side measurements. Shows 3.75", but that wasn't settled. After driving a while, it sits at 2.75" even on each front. Need an updated picture...


If I remember correctly, the back was sitting at a little over 34", so somewhere around 3.5" lift.


Finally, a before and after...

[KE7WOX]

Yeah I ended up getting a ride from a friend to Autozone to get a 2nd pair of compressors because we couldnt't get it done with 1 pair.

And you might have the world's only lifted Denali.

[Saxis]

And you might have the world's only lifted Denali.

As far as I know it is. I had thought Gibby13 that went on TECORE '09 had his Denali XL lifted, but it doesn't appear that it was. I might even have the newest model year TrailVoy lifted, too.

[Trail X]

And you might have the world's only lifted Denali.

As far as I know it is. I had thought Gibby13 that went on TECORE '09 had his Denali XL lifted, but it doesn't appear that it was. I might even have the newest model year TrailVoy lifted, too.

Gibby's Denali was lifted but he had street tires and 18" chrome rims.

[Saxis]

Gibby's Denali was lifted but he had street tires and 18" chrome rims.

Yeah, same ones I have now. I'm hoping for another big sale at 4WheelParts soon for new wheels and tires. Think I've settled on the American Racing Fuel (black w/ machined lip) 17x8 and 265/70R17 Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs. Should give me the performance I need.


Edit: Any idea how he lifted, James? I noticed that he mentioned adjusting his rear sensors, so did he just install a front lift and adjust the rear? That was my original plan, but then I figured I would have to deal with compressor problems down the road, so I decided to scrap the AirRide.

[Trail X]

Yes, he just adjusted his rear sensor.

Probably smart just getting rid of it. If you puncture a bag somehow on a trail, you can't really repair it. At least with the airlift bags, if you puncture one, you still have regular springs. Kinda like an escalator... even if it breaks it just becomes regular stairs.

[Saxis]

Just got my alignment done over my lunch break. Toe was nearly 1/2" off, but that wasn't the cause of the vibration. Only really notice it while accelerating or maintaining speed between about 35 and 55. Under 35 it goes away, over 55 it goes away, back off the throttle in that range and it goes away. Kinda feels like a shudder, like when you have only one window down and you get a little reverberation. Can't feel it in the steering or anything though.

[fishsticks]

Out of round tire on the rear maybe?

[Saxis]

Out of round tire on the rear maybe?

Hmm... Very good possibility. I got a flat about a month ago and had the tire repaired. A rock went through the center of the tread. I've only been driving on the repaired tire for a couple weeks now. Is it possible that I just didn't notice it through the soft and bouncy AirRide/OEM shocks?

[Saxis]

The rear is starting to make a bit more noise now. More so when a little off camber/turning than while hitting bumps at speed. Pretty sure it's from the lack of the OEM rubber isolator that was mentioned in the BDS instructions. Looking at Compnine, the only thing I see is an upper insulator, Part #15765071, or #2 in this parts image:



$10 each. Looks like I'll get a chance to take it apart again. More of an excuse to get a good floor jack and jack stands...

Needed to find time to take all the AirRide junk out anyway.

[Saxis]

Been running around with the insulators on top of the springs for a couple months now... Didn't seem to stop the clunking noise while flexing, but it did cut down on the vibration while accelerating. What I'm looking to do now, is get my AirLift 1000 bags and Quickshot compressor ordered. IIRC, I'll need to make a hole in the top insulators to run the air line through. Never did get the chance to remove the old AirRide crap, so running the new stuff in its place should be easy. Just need to figure out where to mount the tank...

What I'm also considering, is ordering another set of insulators for the spring perches to see if that stops the clunking. Anyone see any problems that could arise from this? Aside from making the springs a little harder to squeeze in there...

[Trail X]

I don't really see any problems with that, but I wonder if that's your actual issue. I kinda doubt it. Look at your lower spring perch closely, if it's clunking, I'd expect to see evidence of perch paint rubbed off.

I'd bet there's something else making the clunking... like a spare tire that isn't tight enough, etc.

[Saxis]

Just checked the spare. It was pretty tight and not moving, but I cranked it on there more to tighten the cable. Hmm... another thought I just had: What about the BDS spacers? Is there a chance that those are wiggling a bit? I made damn sure the bolt heads were threaded the right distance and they locked in pretty tight. Couldn't wiggle them by hand at least...

I was asking about the perches because I looked up the Tahoe rear/springs on CompNine and they use the exact same insulator on top AND bottom. Thought it was odd that TrailVoys don't, with the same insulator and spring length.

[KE7WOX]

AHA!
Did you follow the common advice to use RTV sealant on the top part of the BDS spacer so it doesn't make noise?

[johnburgelin]

AHA!
Did you follow the common advice to use RTV sealant on the top part of the BDS spacer so it doesn't make noise?

I'm guessing no, it is always the simplest reasons that things go wrong

[Trail X]

AHA!
Did you follow the common advice to use RTV sealant on the top part of the BDS spacer so it doesn't make noise?

I'm not familiar with that. Where did you hear it from? I mean, it can't hurt anything, but I don't see it helping much if the spacer is secured correctly.

[KE7WOX]

AHA!
Did you follow the common advice to use RTV sealant on the top part of the BDS spacer so it doesn't make noise?

I'm not familiar with that. Where did you hear it from? I mean, it can't hurt anything, but I don't see it helping much if the spacer is secured correctly.

IIRC I heard that here and possibly in the BDS guide. Supposedly it does help with the metal rattling.

[Saxis]

News to me, also. It sure wasn't in the BDS notes. Pretty sure I'll be taking the springs/insulators out when I put in the AirLift bags, so I can figure something out then... I was thinking about cutting out a rubber gasket for the top of the spacers, but RTV would work.

[Saxis]

After getting my new wheels/tires, I went on a couple hour hunting trip on some logging roads last weekend. The noise in the rear was MUCH more prominent on the gravel/rock roads. Pretty much constant banging and clanging. I did want to wait until I got my Air Lift 1000 bags, compressor and air tank, extra isolators and RTV for the BDS spacers, and do it all in one shot, but it's starting to bug me now. I'm thinking about getting just the bags and isolators to save on cash and spread the cost (especially with the recent tire purchase). That should only put me out about $100, hopefully fix the noise and I'd only have to take the springs out once. My concern is just capping off the air line to the bags. I do still have my stock AirRide compressor and sensors connected, with only the fuse pulled. The sensors shouldn't trigger the compressor to kick on being lifted, but I might try just unplugging them anyway. I was thinking about using the Aux line to put pressure in the bags temporarily. Anyone see a problem with this? I'm just wondering what fittings and/or valve/cap I'd need to connect them.

[Harry Moto]

I don't know what kind of line you have from the bags, you're talking about from the new air bags, yes? The bags will come with lines that have a schrader valve at the end, you want to stick with that for filling/dumping.

Question: How does the ride compare, Air Ride vs. Z71 springs? I'd be tempted to go with the air ride system if the ride is really good. For offroading I'd bring a spare OEM air ride bag, 'cause I've heard they sometimes pop for no reason.