Multiple shock kits for k2500 suburban

[88suburbanoverlan]

Does anyone have suggestions on a good set up for multiple shocks on my rig?

I have a 1986 GMC suburban 2500 but I have one ton axles swapped and the front is a Dana 60.

Not sure if I want to do a hoop set up on the front with two vertical shocks or have them parallel. Looking for function over aesthetic if anyone has suggestions. I thought doing the hoop set up Might set me up for coil overs down the line when I have the budget.

For the back, I was looking to do multiple because there’s occasions where I haul big stuff around the farm and as you can see from the picture below, my rear suspension gets pretty maxed out. Wasn’t sure if I should look at doing a set up that allows for 2 inch airbags or if a dual shock set up would accomplish this.

Any pictures or suggestions on kits would be very helpful -thanks guys

 

[Frankenchevy]

Shocks don’t support the weight. Springs or airbags for the rear.

Multi shocks like pictured above are an old school approach. Nowadays we have several companies that make 2.5 and 3.0 shocks with remote reservoirs.

Talk to a custom shock builder if you really want the best shocks for your vehicle. Just be prepared for the cost. Last set I did on a truck were several thousand dollars.

 

[Grit dog]

Bitchin burb man!!
But you don’t need more shocks for “function”. Especially if it’s just hauling trailers. Unless you’re trying to run the Baja with the trailer attached I suppose.
It’ll look cool though!

 

[goldpack]

your suburban is too pretty for such farm work,..
I think I would prefer a dumping trailer to abuse. (behind a truck of any kind,...or behind a tractor that can lift and dig the weight that goes in the trailer).

 

[Grit dog]

your suburban is too pretty for such farm work,..
I think I would prefer a dumping trailer to abuse. (behind a truck of any kind,...or behind a tractor that can lift and dig the weight that goes in the trailer).

I’m fairly certain that the OP is not dropping the tailgate and shoveling the 3rd row full of manure…
Icbw but the paint job makes me think he has more sense and resources than that. Just a bit misguided in what shocks dooo.

 

[goldpack]

I’m fairly certain that the OP is not dropping the tailgate and shoveling the 3rd row full of manure…
Icbw but the paint job makes me think he has more sense and resources than that. Just a bit misguided in what shocks dooo.

well, trailers haul heavy pallets of clean "crap" too.
and then your on road beauty does not have to ride like a lumber / hay bail / firewood wagon. (loaded or unloaded)

 

[Catbox]

Dual shocks in the front for that 80's look and apeal.
Otherwise run some air bags on the rear springs when you need to haul the extra weights...

 

[88suburbanoverlan]

Dual shocks in the front for that 80's look and apeal.
Otherwise run some air bags on the rear springs when you need to haul the extra weights...

Do I need a vertical rear shock setup in the back to run bags?

My passenger side has a rear shock mount at the top of the frame whereas my driver side goes directly into the frame, so I don’t know if there was some hillbilly engineering that went on before I had the truck or if that’s the stock set up but either way I’m looking for a suggestion on what kind of mounting kit I would need to purchase to make some helper bags work on the rear with my current setup.

Taking advice from this thread and doing the dual shocks in the front But I have no clue on the best way to go for functionality with adding helper bags on the back

 

[88suburbanoverlan]

your suburban is too pretty for such farm work,..
I think I would prefer a dumping trailer to abuse. (behind a truck of any kind,...or behind a tractor that can lift and dig the weight that goes in the trailer).

Thank you for the kind words. Anything around the farm is pulling a trailer or pulling out Toyota’s. I keep my interior very clean and I’m certainly not throwing anything in the back (aside from the occasional chubby girl from the bar lol)

 

[88suburbanoverlan]

Dual shocks in the front for that 80's look and apeal.
Otherwise run some air bags on the rear springs when you need to haul the extra weights...

I think that’s the way I’m gonna go if you have any suggestions on dual shock mounting kits for the front or a kit for mounting the airbags in the back

 

[88suburbanoverlan]

I’m fairly certain that the OP is not dropping the tailgate and shoveling the 3rd row full of manure…
Icbw but the paint job makes me think he has more sense and resources than that. Just a bit misguided in what shocks dooo.

Yes sir I do have a wrap on the truck so compared to the paint job it’s like lipstick on a pig, but it gets me through better than a 10 foot paint job. Really just using it for pulling on occasion and it’s my daily driver, but it’ll be a cold day in hell when I throw any farm stuff in the third row that’s for sure lol

 

[88suburbanoverlan]

Shocks don’t support the weight. Springs or airbags for the rear.

Multi shocks like pictured above are an old school approach. Nowadays we have several companies that make 2.5 and 3.0 shocks with remote reservoirs.

Talk to a custom shock builder if you really want the best shocks for your vehicle. Just be prepared for the cost. Last set I did on a truck were several thousand dollars.

Unfortunately, custom shocks aren’t in the budget so I think helper bags are the way to go in the back.
I do bounce around a bit in there on the country roads and was trying to soften up the ride and I’m not sure if it’s more shocks or helper airbags or new leaf springs all around considering the previous owner did what I estimate to be a 6 inch super lift kit so I’m not sure if the leaf springs are worn out but from what I’ve been reading this is the par for the course with how they drive until you get into a coil over application, which is also not in the budget unfortunately. Just trying to beef up what I have on a budget if I’m being honest.

 

[88suburbanoverlan]

your suburban is too pretty for such farm work,..
I think I would prefer a dumping trailer to abuse. (behind a truck of any kind,...or behind a tractor that can lift and dig the weight that goes in the trailer).

Here is my interior. Definitely not putting farm stuff in this rig lol

 

[Frankenchevy]

The benefit of bags are that you only stiffen the spring rate when necessary. Having a 6” lift doesn’t help the ride quality though. Coil/link or custom springs would help, but as you said, not as cheap as bags.

One option (though you may already have this type of lift in the rear) would be a shackle flip with a lift shackle to keep a flatter spring in the rear. Then add airbags with a daystar cup on the bottom side. That way it can still separate off-road (won’t act like a limiting strap).

 

[88suburbanoverlan]

The benefit of bags are that you only stiffen the spring rate when necessary. Having a 6” lift doesn’t help the ride quality though. Coil/link or custom springs would help, but as you said, not as cheap as bags.

One option (though you may already have this type of lift in the rear) would be a shackle flip with a lift shackle to keep a flatter spring in the rear. Then add airbags with a daystar cup on the bottom side. That way it can still separate off-road (won’t act like a limiting strap).

I like this idea. Is there any kits out there at least for the mounting points that would make me the set up you’re talking about?