Herbie
Adventurist
If memory serves, there are a couple of folks here who have deep background on all things General Motors, so hoping someone can point me in the right direction on this:
Is there any way to look up the specs (particularly the spring rate) for the torsion bars in the front suspension on GM IFS vehicles?
I've had good success by mining the General's parts bin for upgrades to our 2003 Astro AWD (now 4x4, thanks to this practice). One of the weak spots on the van is that we still have the factory torsion springs in the front. I am not looking to re-index the existing bars - my preload is more or less where I want it, but I would like to have a slightly stiffer spring rate. (I've been very cautious about front-end weight with the existing springs - I'd like to have the option of a beefier bumper, etc.) I have a hope that I might be able to find a similar part from an Express, Colorado, etc. that has a higher rate but might be made to fit. (Length and end-shape become the next obvious variables to worry about.)
Just to head off any helpful alternative suggestions: No way to fit a coilover without control arm interference, not interested in pursuing SAS for this project at this time.
Thanks all!
Is there any way to look up the specs (particularly the spring rate) for the torsion bars in the front suspension on GM IFS vehicles?
I've had good success by mining the General's parts bin for upgrades to our 2003 Astro AWD (now 4x4, thanks to this practice). One of the weak spots on the van is that we still have the factory torsion springs in the front. I am not looking to re-index the existing bars - my preload is more or less where I want it, but I would like to have a slightly stiffer spring rate. (I've been very cautious about front-end weight with the existing springs - I'd like to have the option of a beefier bumper, etc.) I have a hope that I might be able to find a similar part from an Express, Colorado, etc. that has a higher rate but might be made to fit. (Length and end-shape become the next obvious variables to worry about.)
Just to head off any helpful alternative suggestions: No way to fit a coilover without control arm interference, not interested in pursuing SAS for this project at this time.
Thanks all!