Installed BC Racing Coilovers

[Fifty150hs]

Last weekend I installed BC Racing Coilovers. I don't have air suspension, so I didn't have to deal with that. I wanted a better ride, lowering ability and more adjust-ability.

The fronts were an easy swap and I had those done pretty quickly. The rears were a PITA because of having to take it half apart to get the springs out.

I first set them up with what I thought would give me a 2" drop. 2" shorter that the stock shocks and struts. Surprise! it gave me stock or near stock ride height.

This weekend I adjusted them. I didn't mess with the preload as they come factory set and BC recommends not messing with it. It's my daily and the ride has been fine. I set the rebound dampers right in the middle and that's been good. So I disconnected the shocks and struts and cranked the rears up as far as they would go, measured the change and moved the fronts up the same. There is adjustment left in the fronts if I wanted to drop the front more.

So, total drop from stock now is 2". I like the look, ride and handling. I still need to get it in for an alignment.

Thinking maybe spacers now?

[c-bass]

Looks good

[andrewwynn]

If you don't go off road the drop + spacer is a very nice look. I would bottom out for sure with 2" less travel.

[Happy]

Yeah, that does look good!

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

If you don't go off road the drop + spacer is a very nice look. I would bottom out for sure with 2" less travel.

No off roading plans for this truck. Closest I get is driving onto undeveloped job sites. Shouldn't bottom out unless I find a real deep pothole.

[timmyc]

Looking sweet! Drop some style 87's on there and that thing will take on a new life!

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by timmyc

Looking sweet! Drop some style 87's on there and that thing will take on a new life!

I'd love to, but don't have the dough right now. What I'd really like to put on are some style 313's. Unfortunately, while they could be made to fit, they aren't rated for our truck's weight. I've found an aftermarket that looks just like them that will work, just have to come up with the money. $1000 for the coil overs was a "big spend".

[andrewwynn]

If you only drive on roads you really don't have to worry about the weight limit you describe above. Our wheels are designed to handle perhaps 12T impacts per corner (2G entire truck weight). Under normal driving the fronts will not likely suffer more than 2-3T and the backs more than 4-5T impacts from a bad pothole.

I have definitely gotten to close to full truck weight on a single corner at times during off road drives. (I did measure pitch/roll of 37/12° during one of my fun outings but that was slow, however just that much nose down and angle probably over doubled the normal 1200# on the front wheel on the low side. Our wheels are spec to deal with that kinda crap. The only real risk with using the car strength wheels is the odds of turning one out of round on a pothole is higher.

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

If you only drive on roads you really don't have to worry about the weight limit you describe above. Our wheels are designed to handle perhaps 12T impacts per corner (2G entire truck weight). Under normal driving the fronts will not likely suffer more than 2-3T and the backs more than 4-5T impacts from a bad pothole.

I have definitely gotten to close to full truck weight on a single corner at times during off road drives. (I did measure pitch/roll of 37/12° during one of my fun outings but that was slow, however just that much nose down and angle probably over doubled the normal 1200# on the front wheel on the low side. Our wheels are spec to deal with that kinda crap. The only real risk with using the car strength wheels is the odds of turning one out of round on a pothole is higher.

Thanks for the info Andrew.

[andrewwynn]

No prob. I would have no concern putting 5 series wheels on e53 that stays in the city. I might take a little more care to avoid pot holes. I've bent rims on brutal potholes.