After reading all the praise of the Deaver Springs I ordered mine for my 06 C4500 2wd stock hight. I wanted to ask the group that has them about two things.
a) I'm replacing the shocks - Bilsteins are my choice right now - price-wise and since its for tow not for show will the stock length be okay?
b) anything else I should consider while they are down there while they rip it apart? I am considering a steering stabilizer to get rid of the additional bump steer we get with these things. Anything else come to mind?
Thanks for the help, Andy

Bump - anyone?????

There have been some posts on the Deavers
They are marked left and right, so reconfirm before you are installing

I did get a little bump steer
Turned out to be a worn pitman/draglink arm
Didnt really feel by hand until compressing each ball and socket with channel lock, they are spring loaded, but could visably see alot of play
Now smooth as silk

With the new springs and shocks you should be fine. Like MeGMfan said be sure to install them on the right sides. There was another member on here that had to take it part and swap the spring packs. A steering stabilizer will only help for bump steer.

I had read those and that was one of the big reasons for me to change the springs out. Since Deaver isn't too far away I'm going to have them install the leaf springs for me and not mess with this project.
I read someplace where you can put on the Bilstein 5100's since it's a 1.5" lift in front. So working on that to find out. I called Bilstein since they are local here and they said that the valving is nearly twice as hard on the rebound vs the 4600's, but might be okay with the weight. I can always revalve if its too stiff.
Thanks for the help.

most of my bump steer went away with just the change of the deavers springs/ shocks

You will love them

I just ordered a set of Deaver Springs and Bilstein shocks from Norcal truck.. Thanks Nick.. I look forward to getting them installed.. I hope it's a night and day difference.

I just got my shocks from Nick as well. I look forward to getting it all put together next week and see how it rides!

Went up to Devers and got the springs and shocks in. What a difference. I'd say almost 95% of the bump steer is gone. My only complaint is with the shocks I got from NorCal - not NorCals fault but maybe in the choice of Bilsteins. The 5100's are too stiff on rebound. When I called Bilstein and compared them to the recommended shock, its about 45% stiffer. Even with my 5er on the rear it still hobby horses a bit. Without a load and a good bump the rear flies off the pavement.
I think I'm going to revalve them closer to the spec Bilsteins and see what happens.
Super glad I bit the bullet though and changed the springs. All that road chatter is gone and it more behaved on the road loaded or empty. Just got to tune the shocks a bit. Thanks for all the help and Dever's guys for a terrific install. I'll post some pics soon.

android356,
I would like to know if your truck has air ride rear suspension ? Did it come with the extra capacity front springs, 7,000 lb ft axle, hystec cab mounts? I ask because my 03 rides and drives realy good with no bump steer. I would like to change shocks!! But I am thinking, do I need the deaver springs or not??
thanks

Why Deaver front springs rather than Kelderman air?

My '06 has the Link rear air bags on them. I think John was the pioneer on getting the spring rates put together with Deaver to make the ride the way it is. Others that have compared the Kelderman air versus the Deavers have said that the Deavers are the way to go and I'd have to say that I dont know how you could make it any better with the Deavers. My understanding is that the 10 pack leaf springs are the right progressive rate for what our trucks need. I'm just changing the valving on the Bilsteins to make it more civil on ride control. For some maybe you should try another truck with them to see side by side. Anyone in San Diego is welcome to try mine and see what you think. I'm just a happy customer. Ill post some pics when I get a chance.

What was the total cost of the project, Deavers+shocks? What shocks are most guys running with the Deaver set up? I'm looking into this myself as my truck is a little bouncy without my trailer, I have an 06 with Link cabmate air ride and rear bags as well.

doing the install meself, springs and koni shocks were 24-2500.00 including beer for my help:D

I paid $1600 for the springs and another $550 for the install of both the shocks and springs. Deavers had some issues getting the front shocks to mount on the lower mounts since the adapter was too short so they figured a work around, but cost me a couple more bucks.
I can't find the bill for the shocks, but it was the 4th one free like Bilstein is offering. The 5100's are a bit over valved like I said before and will be taking them off to soften them up. So after I get them done I'll post what the rates are.

Why Deaver front springs rather than Kelderman air?

Ive road in a truck over at deaver one day that came in for springs . He had the kelderman already and was a little pissed that it didnt ride better . If you looked at where the bags are placed it makes sense why . First , you are still on the chitty stock springs . Second , the bags are place far back by the shackle . It was like bouncing betty ride to me .

I took him for a ride in mine and we went and hit the same potholes and RR tracks he did on our ride in his truck . There was no more to be said after that . Its night and day difference . We went back over and he had them install the springs and get rid of all the kelderman crap . The kelderman looks like ass to , if you ask me .

Multible length progressive springs are whats needed with better shocks to control rebound . Thats it .

I am still in need of a custom steering stabilizer . Working on that next .

Andy , Congrats on getting the springs in . :thumb:

Only other thing I could suggest in helping the ride is some 22.5 wheels with a taller tire . This also helps the ride alot over the 19.5's .

Johnny

I've read where several people have installed the Bilstein 5100 Shocks, and then state that they need to re-valve them. Can the shocks be ordered from Bilstein with the correct valving to begin with?

Also, when I queried Bilstein about the mounting adapters, they told me they were pretty simple and easy to install. Now I read where Deaver had trouble and had to modify them. I'd sure like to get more informaion on exactly what was the problem.


Finally, when Deaver did my springs (at their facility) they changed the arc to reduce the amount of lift that the springs normally introduce. I'm also wondering if this will affect my ordering a set of Bilsteins. Any thoughts?

George

I will be selling my Safe-T-Plus steering stabilizer to install a Blue Ox soon. I like the STP a LOT, but I also like the idea of being able to adjust the center point on the BO while driving.

Johnny -- Let me know if you are interested.

Thanks for the insight on the Deaver springs. I was just about to "spring" for the Kelderman kit and am now considering the Deaver springs. Who should I talk to for the right King shocks?

Randy

Im working on mine now to get the valving right . I keep ending up with too much compression up front . Carli suspension has been helping me with the kings . King doesnt know the valving for the kodiak really . They thought we were crazy with what we were trying , but it worked and were getting close . Were working on it to get it dialed in . If you get the shocks like the kings , thats the nice thing . You can revalve them as many times as you want to get it right for your preference . Right now we just switched the piston to one out of kings work king . It is for big trucks and a 2.5 shock like my piggy backs . The work king is also a good shock for the kodiak , but only king can revalve with the damn fill valve they used . I would go with a 2.5 piggy back . It fit right in there . I use 10" travel 2.5 piggy back with the work king pistons in it . Thats our newest thing we are working on .

Smaller holes for rebound and one through hole deleted . Let me finish with mine and I will tell you the outcome . I have my fronts off and put my rears that already have the new piston in it on front . I called today to Carli to let him know I think this is right for rear , but we still need less compression on fronts .

I really should get a bunch of these done for you guys , so you dont have to go through getting them revavled local to you many times . Thought about this many times . Making a complete package for the kodiak and make it easier for you all to just have it all dialed right out of the gate and complete bolt in package . Spring, shocks , new 20 mm bolts , clevis mounts ... everything . Talked about it many times with Deaver and Carli . Sage at Carli Suspension has been helping me with this for a long time . He is a dodge guy , but a good friend . Really knowlegable about shock valving . Helped me do the original mounting back in the day . Good crew at Carli , but they arent really interested in a package for the kodiak and think I should do one .

Sure would make it alot easier for all of you . One stop tested and a real solution . Nothing is ever perfect for a truck with this much weight moving up and down , but i am getting really close to as good as it gets .

John, you are certainly the pioneer on the Kodiak suspension here, thanks to you that I went with the Deavers.
I didnt want to spring for the Kings and have had good luck with the Bilsteins in the past, so I'll do the heavy lifting on those compression/rebound numbers. They are here in San Diego so its easy to take them over to revalve them for me. I had talked with Bilstein about the 5100's versus the 4600's and the valving was significantly higher for c/r.

I'd like someone to try these out since you can tune for empty or a load:

BILSTEIN'S ACD SYSTEM (Active Control Damping) automatically reacts to changing road input and coach motion to deliver optimum ride comfort and safe handling.

Computer controlled system instantly responds to road conditions and driving style.
Processes inputs from coach movement to control side to side as well as up and down motions - reacts in 30 milliseconds.
Automatically adjusts damping to compensate for acceleration and braking.
Dash mounted switch allows driver to select between active or firmer enhanced performance handling modes.
System includes front and rear electronically controlled shock absorbers, input sensors and computer control module.

Johnny: if you get a steering arm dampener figured out for the Kodiaks please post it. I have a two wheel drive so I dont think it has a pitman arm to work off of. Must be some way to perfect the front end on these things.

John, you are certainly the pioneer on the Kodiak suspension here, thanks to you that I went with the Deavers.
I didnt want to spring for the Kings and have had good luck with the Bilsteins in the past, so I'll do the heavy lifting on those compression/rebound numbers. They are here in San Diego so its easy to take them over to revalve them for me. I had talked with Bilstein about the 5100's versus the 4600's and the valving was significantly higher for c/r.

I'd like someone to try these out since you can tune for empty or a load:

BILSTEIN'S ACD SYSTEM (Active Control Damping) automatically reacts to changing road input and coach motion to deliver optimum ride comfort and safe handling.

Computer controlled system instantly responds to road conditions and driving style.
Processes inputs from coach movement to control side to side as well as up and down motions - reacts in 30 milliseconds.
Automatically adjusts damping to compensate for acceleration and braking.
Dash mounted switch allows driver to select between active or firmer enhanced performance handling modes.
System includes front and rear electronically controlled shock absorbers, input sensors and computer control module.

These shocks sound like a good thing with the computer controlling . The kings are set at a fixed valving . sounds like you can have the best of both worlds . Ive just been working with the direction I went . The Kings are pricy . I thought they would do better than they are . I cant seem to find that happy medium . The damn california studder bumps on these expansion joint frwys is what is hard for me to get dialed . These computer controlled shocks might be a better answer for most . I have been really happy with the kings except for the studders . My valving actually makes it worse and bounce harder . Seems like compression only is the answer . If I have them set up this way , there is a drawback in other situations . I cant seem to win .

Im trying though .

On the stabilizer : I thnk if I can get some time to get this done , it will work on 4 and 2wd . Just needs a different bracket maybe or a spacer .

It seems that its always something putting it on the backburner . Kinda like now . Just realized my back rotors are cracked through . Both sides . Damn burnouts . What a dumbass . My fronts are heat ck'd also . My next purchase will be rotors all the way around the truck . Fronts arent cracked , but I am sure they arent far behind . Pads also . About $1100 to get the brakes all dialed in again . frnt and rr rotors and pads all the way around . Crap , just had the whole front end apart too . :D

It's hard to figure out sometimes, when we have our truck do two things, be civil empty and not mushy when with a load. So it's going to be a compromise someplace. I had a set of TEIN shocks with the EDFC controller on a tricked out Mini Cooper. Net result after a lot of time and money was nothing that was great for both. It seemed that we could get it to do one or the other but when we changed springs it went too soft for track work. I just went off lease on my Audi S8 with the adjustable suspension - same thing - great luxe car when cruising but firm up the suspension (with airbags) the thing was not a track car but came pretty close to a good street ride.
So I guess my lesson was that with these trucks and air bags (I'm talking adjustable) in the rear we might be able to get some give when its empty and be happy with that. Otherwise we will be chasing our tails trying to make it perfect for both worlds.
I'm just really happy that I went with the Deavers in the front to get rid of the POS for a suspension and live with some of the minor imperfections.
Its fun learning though. Andy

Definately fun . Been a great truck to me .

I deal with really stiff rear supension on springs in the back . No bags

Did you ever get the tuning on the 5100s figured out ? What numbers did you end up using ?

How much does your truck weigh on the front axle ?

BTW: Were your 5100s crimped or screw on ? Did you have to add the recharge valve or was it on the shock already ?

Thanks

I'm very interested in your longer term review of the change. Did you just change the fronts or did you change the front and rear? If you changed rear springs I assume you don't have air ride.

I would love to do something to improve the front suspension and ride in my truck. The bump steer is one thing but the hard ride and lack of any good front suspension just pounds the front end of my rig . . . mostly on crappy concrete roads. Like you I am using the truck to pull a 5th wheeler. Towing the load helps the ride a lot but the front end needs some major help.

Bump steer is usually from too much toe in . Open it up a bit and you will notice a huge change in this and decreased reaction to the bumps also.

I just ordered a set of Deaver Springs and Bilstein shocks from Norcal truck.. Thanks Nick.. I look forward to getting them installed.. I hope it's a night and day difference.

Just a side note . . . would love to see some photos of your truck. Any chance your going to start up your garage?