ZQ8 Suspension

[fycustoms]

I have a 2001 S10 Xtreme. I know it has the ZQ8 suspension, but is that just better for traction? Or is that actually a lowered stance from an S10 with out the Xtreme Package? The reason for my question is that I want to static drop my truck, but all the packages that I find are dropped from stock height. If I have the ZQ8 and I want to drop the truck 2/3, what drop package do I get? Thanks.

[bespurcell]

The 2/3 will drop your truck 2/3. It doesn't matter what package you have. I'm not sure on the more extreme drops though.

[fycustoms]

Thanks man, I just wasnt' sure if the factory ZQ8 was lowered or not. Later.

[Mikz86TA]

ZQ8 is approx 1.5" lowered. There are things to consider if you are going to drop it further. First off ther is a couple ways to drop it front and rear.
Lets start with front. The ZQ8 has different coils than the std or Z85 suspension. Those coils is what lowers a ZQ8. If you bought a lowering kit (say its a 2") for the front and it had coils in that kit, then swapping the coils will give you a 2" drop. That will be .5" lower than it was. On the other hand If you got a 2" lowering kit that comes with spindles, then you will ADD the spindle drop of 2" to the ZQ8 coils drop of 1.5". This being most manufacturers of the drop kits are taking the drop measurements from a stock basic suspension. Some MIGHT sidenote that there is a specific ZQ8 setup to get the 2" drop and only lowering it an additional .5" to do so.
In the rear Out back is similar to the front, in that GM used a dearched spring to get the lowered effect. Most kits come with blocks. Again, here we are adding the blocks to the dearched spring that the ZQ8 has. If the kit comes with new dearched rear leaf springs, then you figure the kit (say its a 3" rear drop kit) is going to be just 1.5" lower than it is now. But the 3" blocks are gonna put you on the turf at 4.5".
Hope this helps

[Y NI Rider]

I used s10 arms to put on my x10 because they where fried. I was wondering why the ride was so stiff and found that the rubber stopper was practicly resting on the on the lower arm. I called chevy tech and they said the upper arm is diffrent but i didnt notice when i changed them. Took off the rubber stopper and now its fine and doesnt bottom out.

Not shur if its the arms, suspention, or just me haha.
But is all good know.

Has anyone did a 2" droped spindle and a 3" drop blockes on a x10 and if so did they match up ok? ;)

[Hammer Head]

X2, Mike. You could also get 2-3" drop lower control arms, too, up front that would be added to total drop.


ZQ8 is approx 1.5" lowered. There are things to consider if you are going to drop it further. First off ther is a couple ways to drop it front and rear.
Lets start with front. The ZQ8 has different coils than the std or Z85 suspension. Those coils is what lowers a ZQ8. If you bought a lowering kit (say its a 2") for the front and it had coils in that kit, then swapping the coils will give you a 2" drop. That will be .5" lower than it was. On the other hand If you got a 2" lowering kit that comes with spindles, then you will ADD the spindle drop of 2" to the ZQ8 coils drop of 1.5". This being most manufacturers of the drop kits are taking the drop measurements from a stock basic suspension. Some MIGHT sidenote that there is a specific ZQ8 setup to get the 2" drop and only lowering it an additional .5" to do so.
In the rear Out back is similar to the front, in that GM used a dearched spring to get the lowered effect. Most kits come with blocks. Again, here we are adding the blocks to the dearched spring that the ZQ8 has. If the kit comes with new dearched rear leaf springs, then you figure the kit (say its a 3" rear drop kit) is going to be just 1.5" lower than it is now. But the 3" blocks are gonna put you on the turf at 4.5".
Hope this helps

[Mikz86TA]

Oh yeah. THX Jason. I forgot about the dropped base LCAs.
Y NI Ryder = The bump stops on a ZQ8 LCA is yellowish on the front and rear, its a different height and made of poly. But thats it. The bushings and form are identical to a std S-series LCA. Upper CA is the same too.

[fycustoms]

Thanks Mikz86TA, that is what I was looking for.

[rentedmule]

I've talked to a few other people that have swapped from standard to ZQ8 coils like I did and we've all noticed that the coil alone doesn't give 1.5" of drop. I think at least 0.5" of that lowered stance must be from lower profile tires, the coils gave me less than 1" of drop.

[Hammer Head]

Yea, the wheels & tires give 1/2"-1" to make it 2" from the factory.

[Y NI Rider]

Thanks Mike for the info. That makes sense.
I just completely took the stoppers off haha.
The ride was horable now its smooth.
Any interested in 16" Irok Z rims with low pro federal tires.
Think I'm goin with 18" rims. 20 look a little to much.
Oh and the rims line up perfect with the fender as long ass you dont have flairs like me. Unless you use spacers.:eek: Or Not.

[Mikz86TA]

There is a guy on E-Bay that has the ZQ8 bumpers NEW if you are interested. ACS_US is his store and TinyLittleCars is his ID. Its the founder of SLP's son Mr.Hamburger. Not sure if he has the fronts but definately has the rears Ive seen B4. Ive bought from them B4 a few times. Great service. Just PM him about them and I am sure he will let you knw if they are availible still.

[fycustoms]

So, if I have factory Xtreme suspension on 18" wheels with a 45 series tire, what is the best way to go when dropping my truck? I don't want to bottom out over everything. I just want to drop about 2/3. Will I need new shocks?

[Mikz86TA]

If you want more drop IMO, up front get dropped lower a-arms or dropped spindles. This will keep the same coil springs up there to allow you to keep the same ride caracteristics and not be too harsh. It also allows for you to keep a decent or the rig Bilstein shocks, since their geometry doesnt change either.
Out back theres nothing more but blocks to do. The axle is already on the top of the leafs and the ZQ8 leafs are pretty well de-arched as much as you would want to go. Any more dearching and your leafs will be straight and ride like a$$

[fycustoms]

Am I able to put the spindles and blocks on in my garage? And what about an alignment for handling reasons?

[Mikz86TA]

Blocks in the rear are cake
Spindles require jack, jackstands, patience, time, ball-joint seperator and a BFH

[87wildside]

Whenever I change the ride height it goes to get aligned. As far as performance you could have them add a couple of degrees of negative camber to the stock setting but it's not really worth it with stock bushings. Most shops won't warranty custom specs, at least around here.

[holsinger17]

if you do decide to do this in your garage be sure to stick a jack under the lower control arm once you get every thing ready to come apart to remove the spindle or replace the lower control arm since that spring is compressed by the weight of the vehicle it can take out some stuff i.e. limbs vital parts and i even took out a chunk of my garage floor when i was lowering my 02 sonoma

[87wildside]

^^^listen to him...haha. I won't even tell you how I do it. Lets just say I'm brave and stupid.

[Mikz86TA]

Pickle fork, BFH and running shoes!
Hehehehehehe
Something like that Eric??

[Y NI Rider]

I just took two sets of coils off today. They didnt want to come out once I released pressur. Damn thing just sat there two pry bars later bang lol.http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee187/ynirider/zq8007.jpg

[87wildside]

Pickle fork, BFH and running shoes!
Hehehehehehe
Something like that Eric??Just the BFH. You have to hit the spindle on the side of where the ball joint goes in. I just hold the spring :eek: unless the spindle has to come off. It works for me but I don't recommend it. The only way to get the spindle off is to do it the right way.

[Y NI Rider]

Oh yeah. THX Jason. I forgot about the dropped base LCAs.
Y NI Ryder = The bump stops on a ZQ8 LCA is yellowish on the front and rear, its a different height and made of poly. But thats it. The bushings and form are identical to a std S-series LCA. Upper CA is the same too.
My bump stops where yellow but my coils where for the I4 sow they sat lower from the weight. I shouldnt have cut them I guess I need new ones now.

[LowSDime97]

Just the BFH. You have to hit the spindle on the side of where the ball joint goes in. I just hold the spring :eek: unless the spindle has to come off. It works for me but I don't recommend it. The only way to get the spindle off is to do it the right way.
X2 exactly

[LowSDime97]

ya when i lowered mine it took some time to get the springs out of course since they are under pressure, we just took a pry bar and kept prying on it up and down and finally broke free, i wish the front could be as easy as lowering the rear, only takes like an hr to do the rear