What suspension does my 01 DC have?

Hello,

I just purchased a 2001 DC with 100k mi. I'm new to the truck world so I don't really know what I'm looking at. The frame was recalled so it has new leafs, I'm not seeing any signs of aal. The truck appears to be lifted in some way but I cannot figure it out. There are Monomax shocks in the rear and what I'm assuming is OEM suspension in the front. The truck sits higher than every other stock 1st gen 4x4 I've been next to. I don't have the fender height but I'll measure when I get home from work.

I'm mostly curious because it looks like the front shocks are shot and I'm looking to replace them. I'd like to do something that'll improve the ride a little, but don't want to do aal or use spacers/blocks. I'm not terribly interested in lifting, but something that is an improvement over OEM. Any suggestions as to what I'm working with and what I should get? Thanks!

 

There could be a spacer lift in the front. I couldn't tell with the pics you provided if there was a spacer. Check up under the coil buckets and see if you can see something on top of the coilover. The CV joints look pretty level so it might be a small spacer in there. Nice looking truck btw.

 

I can try to get better pictures in a little bit but you could you tell if there are spacers from these? There doesn't appear to be any

 

Not entirely. But regardless those coilovers do need to be replaced. I don't have a 1st gen but I have OME coils and Bilstein 5100 shocks and I'm really happy with the ride.

 

If I went with Bilstein 5100 and OME coils, would I have to aal or lift the rear another way to keep them level?

 

It honestly depends on how worn out the rear leaf springs are. Hard to tell from the pic but your rear leaf springs look original and inverted so possibly. Adding a Add a leaf to the stock worn out springs is not only going to get you a terrible ride but it will be a waste of money. More like a bandaid.

For reference, I have 881's and 5100's on my 04 V6 and it sits about level with the stock rear springs. Mine are pretty inverted.

 

you have a stock suspension with some cheap rear shocks.

 

Thanks! It still feels weird that my truck appears to sit higher than other 4x4 1st gens, maybe I'm wrong. Do you think I could get away with 881's and 5100's up front with the monomax shocks in the rear with a slight rake, or does anyone recommend a different rear shock where I wouldn't have to aal or block it up? The rear leafs should be in good condition as the frame was replaced along with the leafs not too long ago but I don't want to sacrifice ride quality for lift.