retrofitting ZQ8 parts question

[MikeInCtown]

I currently have a stock 2wd 96 S-10 and since I now have a 4wd for winter use I was wondering if dropping the truck with the ZQ8 stuff is as simple as replacing the front and rear springs, or is there more involved such as different tie rods or ball joints?

I am going to be replacing all the ball joints and steering components and need to do front shocks, so most everything up front will be apart anyway. In the rear I just did factory shocks, so I'm wondering if I would need to replace those with different ones?

Also, I currently have 225/70/15 on the front and 235/75/15 on the rear and have no rubbing problems and like the mileage that the extra size tires in the rear give. in the future I was thinking about doing 275/60/16 on the rear which should fit no problem and either going with the same 225/70 on the front, or perhaps going with a 255/60 on the front but not sure if that would rub on anything. Anyoen have any thoughts on tire sizes? (I like the Xtreme rims, but I like the prices of the 15" tires, although maybe have a summer set and a beater winter set instead of one set year round?)

[greencactus3]

do you just want it low as zq8 or do you want full zq8 stuff?
because to get low all you need are coils, leafs, shocks.
but the zq8 package consists of a lot more than that... but you can search to find out what those are.

[rentedmule]

The ZQ8 suspension will only lower you 1" or less if you don't change your tire size along with it. I've done this swap and in hindsight I would have gone with 2" drop coils instead of the ZQ8's. For used parts the prices are comparable too. FYI you'll need to change your front shocks even if you just swap to ZQ8 coils, I tried it with stock shocks and didn't feel like they were working.

[MikeInCtown]

Well, I don't want to go low, just a bit lower in the front and a few inches in the rear. Because I have bigger tires in the rear the truck sits higher in the rear than it normaly would I want the springs. I figure a few inches in the back because it would compensate for the look that the larger tires give me. I would rather have springs vs blocks because in my mind it is more of a stock/engineered situation.

As far as the ZQ8 parts, I only want the drop and handling, not the exterior look. I figure I may go for the cab frame tie, sway bars F&R, and the wheels. Not sure of anything else not tied to the look of the truck.

<edit>
Rented mule, I know the used parts are equal in price almost to the new aftermarket, but when a company tells you their part is 1" for a 2.2 and 2" for a 4.3 I think that they haven't engineered them correctly for the applications like GM has done. Maybe this is why I see a sagging right side on some trucks that are lowered. I honestly can't say I've seen too many stock looking trucks that were sagging on the right side.

[Back_N_Black]

Quote: Originally Posted by rentedmule

The ZQ8 suspension will only lower you 1" or less if you don't change your tire size along with it.

I put Zq8 Coils and a pulled leaf on a non Zq8 truck and it dropped it exactly 1.5" just like it should.

[MikeInCtown]

Oh yea, I just realized what he was saying there. I already have larger than stock tires. (taller.) the tires that I may go to would be wider, not any taller. (have to change the first number when you go to a wider width)

[rentedmule]

Quote: Originally Posted by MikeInCtown

I honestly can't say I've seen too many stock looking trucks that were sagging on the right side.

It's harder to notice on a stock hieght truck - mine had the "chevy lean" when it was bone stock and it still has it with ZQ8 coils.

Maybe some people do get 1.5" of drop just off the ZQ8 parts but I definately didn't - pre/post coil swap measurements showed about 7/8 - 1" drop and even adding a 50lb supercharger over the front end didn't drop it any more. Swapping from 205/75x15" tires to 245/50x16's brought it down the rest of the way. I discussed this with NorcalSS a while back and he noticed the same thing