Has anyone installed the Lord "Velvet Ride" rear spring shakles on a Duramax Diesel 3500 4wd truck? Their instructions are not very specific. I can figure it out eventually, but would like to not "reinvent the wheel" if possible. Also, I am a long way from any parts and would like to be able to start and complete the job at one time. I have heard many good things about the conversion.


Thank you,

****

I put them on my 2500HD SRW and had to drop the leaf springs completely down from the axle. Problem is getting the old rear shackel bolts out. Also had to remove the trailer hitch. So I place the truck on jackstands under the frame with one wheel off then using a floor jack I took the tension off the springs one at a time, loosened off the bolts that hold the spring to the axel and droped it down. Definately a two person job for safety. Took my buddy and I about an hour and a half from start to finish. Retorqued everything afterward. Had the alignment checked and no problems.

As far as ride is concerned it is better. I can definately feel the difference. I also have 500 LBS of sand in the back which helps. Adjusting tire pressue helps too.

bsjcook, there is no time wasted in planning. I have not installed Velvet Rides but I did install a set of Beltech 3" lowering shackles. I do not have them or the instructions but I suspect installation is similar. I will tell you what I remember and with your instructions maybe you can make it an easier job. I jacked the rear up and put the jack stands on the frame forward of the springs on each side. Now is the time to place your floor jack under the center of the rear end to support the weight of the differencial. Remove the rear bolts that hold the hitch in place. Loosen the front hitch bolts enough to allow the rear of the hitch to drop down far enough to get the lower shackle bolts out. Jack up the rear far enough to get the top bolts out over top of the frame. If you have all the tools you can install them easily in less than an hour. Hope this helps. Later! Frank

I did the Velvet Ride On my 04. Did not remove the hitch as I just cut the bolt heads off. Had truck on hoist, raised to where rear tires were just touching ground, removed Nut on lower bolt, pushed towards frame and cut off head. put nut back on and used it to pull the bolt through the shackle until it hit shank on bolt. PUlled out with visegrips. did same for upper bolt. I had purchased 4 new nuts and bolts from dealer. Put on Velvet Rides and inserted bolts from outside. Worked great. Took right at 40 minutes with the benefit of the hoist. This also keeps everything lined up becasue nothing is moving up or down.

so were do you get these? and are they really worth the money?

are they really worth the money?Same question -- could you tell a significant difference?

I've got a set in my garage - I went to put them on last weekend and found I had http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/images/smilies/exactly.gif the same problem you did (but I didn't have a grinder or replacement bolts). http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/images/smilies/eek.gif

If it's worth the hassle, I'm gonna try it again this weekend. If not...

E-BAY or DP Classifieds!

TIA --

--Jeff

I've been running a set on mine for about 6 months. Had the same install clearance issues, had to drop the hitch. Other than that it is easy.

As far as the ride goes, it helps on the abrupt small bumps like freeway joints. Drops the rear an 3/4 inch or so as well. Didn't actually measure the drop.

it helps on the abrupt small bumps like freeway joints.Very interesting. That's exactly what I was hoping it would help with.

Denial, thanks for the reply.

-Jeff

I installed a set on a 2002 K3500 CC dually. I also removed the hitch to get the lower bolts out and put them back in the reverse direction upon re-installation. It took less than an hour.

The ride is a little smoother on small bumps and the truck sits a little more level but the difference in ride quality was no where near the difference I felt after replacing the factory shocks.

Just ordered a set. Looking forward to the install.

-P.

Thanks to all of you for your thoughtful replies. I will attack the install as soon as I get my nerve up ... hey Ma, another beer!<BG>

I ordered the "Velvet ride" kit directly from Lord Corporation. Just do a Google search and you'll find it.

Best,

****

I don't know if it will work on your truck, but I installed them on my 2500HD without any trouble. The crappy GM receiver was coming off anyway so that was a given for me. To get the top bolt out on mine, I found that if I jacked the axle and spring assembly up until the spring eye contacted the bed floor there was just enough clearance with the top of the frame to allow the bolt to be removed. You might try that...saves taking the spring loose from the axle.

As with the others, I have found that the shackles noticeably smooth out the bumps. The change isn't dramatic, but noticeable. The backend does sit slightly lower, but I forgot to measure, too.

Thanks to all of you for your thoughtful replies. I will attack the install as soon as I get my nerve up ... hey Ma, another beer!<bg>

I ordered the "Velvet ride" kit directly from Lord Corporation. Just do a Google search and you'll find it.

Best,

**** Here's a few pictures I took when I installed mine.
http://207.53.239.181/~terry/truck/Velvet-Ride/ (http://207.53.239.181/%7Eterry/truck/Velvet-Ride/)

IMHO, pretty easy job once the hitch is removed.

good luck,

T.
</bg>

Lord is discontinuing the Velvet Ride Shackles. They acquired the product line from BF Goodrich and originally intended to produce them, but didn't intend to get into retail sales. Subsequently, they never found a distributor.

I called Patty at Lord today and as of 1:00 PM, they only had 2 pair of Velvet Ride Shackles left for the GM Trucks.

Get them while you can for $160 shipped.

Call quick if you want a pair for your GM Truck.


-P.