1 Ton Front Suspension Conversion

T

Tom Katzenberger

Well-known member
Jun 26, 2019
796
287
63
Ladies and Gentlemen,

The one ton front suspension conversion has been out for quite a while. I just want to check the satisfaction rate, good bad and ugly.

I am very interested and while I coach cut in half, it may be the best time to install such an item.

I am also looking at the Holley Sniper System, Serpentine Belt system, and All disk brakes.

Thanks in advance for any input.

Tom & Oki Katzenberger
 
dTom,

I didn't see this note until I'd sent the one about the body parts.

I've had the 1-ton front suspension since Manny's first production run. I
like it a lot. If there's any torque steer, I'm not sensitive enough to
notice it. Now Dunahugh, if you ask him when you call, will tell you it's
AWFUL -- but then he's a skilled race car driver

Serpentine belts are another of my favorites. It was mandatory for me to
put them on my Cad500 before ever installing it and they've (I use two)
never given me a moment's trouble -- far more than I could ever say about
the V-belts that came on the 455. I put serpentines on the 455 too, but
don't have any details and would probably do it differently anyway. After
doing the Cad, I'm convince I could, with access to a 455, design a simple
2-serp system for it too.

Ken H.
Americus, GA
'76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI & EBL,
Manny Brakes & 1-Ton, Troy-Bilt APU, etc., etc., etc.
www.gmcwipersetc.com

On Mon, Sep 14, 2020 at 6:56 PM tomkatz3--- via Gmclist <

> Ladies and Gentlemen,
>
> The one ton front suspension conversion has been out for quite a while. I
> just want to check the satisfaction rate, good bad and ugly.
>
> I am very interested and while I coach cut in half, it may be the best
> time to install such an item.
>
> I am also looking at the Holley Sniper System, Serpentine Belt system, and
> All disk brakes.
>
> Thanks in advance for any input.
>
> Tom & Oki Katzenberger
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
Ken, Again thank you. Your input is very heavily weighted and I appreciate it. I will look to acquire both.

Thanks again,
Tom
 
I've had my one-ton for 10 years and about 30,000 miles. I really like it... the braking is much improved and the coach feels more steady on the
road.

Some see the spacer and get all wound up over it. But the knuckle & hub was designed for 3/4 and one ton trucks using single wheels with a 25mm
offset. Duals have a 125mm offset or a difference of 100mm = 3.94". So the spacer puts the dual wheel tire at the same position as the single wheels.
Someone correct me on this if I am wrong.

I also have all-disk brakes which I like as well. I have not been to the west coast to try them over the mountains.

--
Bruce Hislop
ON Canada
77PB, 455 Dick P. rebuilt, DynamicEFI EBL EFI & ESC.1 ton front end
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=29001
My Staff says I never listen to them, or something like that
 
You guys are killing me here.....its going to be a busy winter gathering parts, i just know it :roll:
--
Rich Mondor,

Brockville, ON

77 Hughes 2600
 
It should be noted that a properly installed and/or serviced OEM front end is more than capable of lasting beyond your lifetime. A set of Lenzi
rebuilt knuckles with grease zirks, lubricated every 25K or so miles is as about trouble free as you could expect from our front ends. Just keep an
eye on the CV boots and change when they show sign of cracking will keep you in axles for the duration. JMHO
--
Larry
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
 
I your not a hands on guy , going to one ton is not suggested as there are
parts you need to know where they can be acquired.
We sell the Kit, but I can tell you most of the GMC shops are not
familiar enough and call me for info.
It cost lees to do the front end as the parts come reassembled with new
parts.
Larry W is correct, if you do the original properly it will be

On Mon, Sep 14, 2020 at 8:02 PM Larry via Gmclist
wrote:

> It should be noted that a properly installed and/or serviced OEM front end
> is more than capable of lasting beyond your lifetime. A set of Lenzi
> rebuilt knuckles with grease zirks, lubricated every 25K or so miles is as
> about trouble free as you could expect from our front ends. Just keep an
> eye on the CV boots and change when they show sign of cracking will keep
> you in axles for the duration. JMHO
> --
> Larry
> 78 Royale w/500 Caddy
> Menomonie, WI.
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.gmcrvparts.com
1-800-752-7502
 
I know Bill Hubler quite well, After a trip down the BAJA his GMC several
years ago where he attempted to turn the coach into a driveway and the
front hub fell into the sharp ditch, and subsequent adventures getting
parts to repair the damage, he returned to Idaho and decided to see if he
could adapt some more robust parts to the front end of the GMC. The 1 ton
is a result of that effort. After making them ones and twos at a time, he
decided that it took up too much of his time, and he and Manny Traveo made
an agreement for Manny to take over making the Hubler 1 ton front end. So,
Manny invested in a whole batch of GM pieces and produced the present
version of the 1 ton front end. It is robust and has commonly available
parts. Needs no special tools to disassemble. Has much larger brake rotors
and front disc brakes. The whole hub, knuckle and spacer is right off of GM
vehicles, but, the spacer, which is identical in dimensions to the GM
piece, is aluminum instead of Cast Iron. About 1/2 of the weight of the
stock GM spacer. Does it match up to a formula 1 race car suspension, Nope.
It does not have to. Will it last a good long time, and be easier to fix
when and/or if it fails on the road? Yes. Is it cheaper than rebuilding an
entire GMC stock front end? Sure is. Is it better? Opinions vary on that.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon

On Tue, Sep 15, 2020 at 8:21 AM Jim Kanomata via Gmclist <

> I your not a hands on guy , going to one ton is not suggested as there are
> parts you need to know where they can be acquired.
> We sell the Kit, but I can tell you most of the GMC shops are not
> familiar enough and call me for info.
> It cost lees to do the front end as the parts come reassembled with new
> parts.
> Larry W is correct, if you do the original properly it will be
>
>
> On Mon, Sep 14, 2020 at 8:02 PM Larry via Gmclist >

>
> > It should be noted that a properly installed and/or serviced OEM front
> end
> > is more than capable of lasting beyond your lifetime. A set of Lenzi
> > rebuilt knuckles with grease zirks, lubricated every 25K or so miles is
> as
> > about trouble free as you could expect from our front ends. Just keep an
> > eye on the CV boots and change when they show sign of cracking will keep
> > you in axles for the duration. JMHO
> > --
> > Larry
> > 78 Royale w/500 Caddy
> > Menomonie, WI.
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> >
>
>
> --
> Jim Kanomata
> Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
> jimk
> http://www.gmcrvparts.com
> 1-800-752-7502
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
Tom,
I like your list of upgrades you are thinking of doing. As you can see, there are strong opinions on both sides of the issues. Which to me means that
either way you decide to go will be good.

1 ton front end...I went with Dave Lenzi’s knuckles and 80mm brakes using 5.1 dot brake fluid. For me they are great. But if anything brakes, I
would put on the 1 ton front end. But I would like to drive one first just to see the difference, if any.

Holley sniper EFI. I went with the MSD Atomic. But I think the new Holley sniper now has a better handheld and electronic gauge setup. If I was to do
now, I would also probably go with the Holley sniper. But I am happy with my MSD. But I think the absolute best is the Howell EFI with timing
controller. If only I had the money....

Serpentine belt system. I don’t have it, but I will one of these days!!

Rear Discs brakes. This is another one that you will probably have strong opinions on both sides. I drool when I think of having one of Dave Lenzi’s
rear disc conversions!! Soon!!

Great list, and good luck.
Scott
--
Scott Nutter
1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final drive, Quad bags, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera
installed MSD Atomic EFI
Houston, Texas
 
I’ve had my original front end rebuilt and I’m underwhelmed. If the 1-ton offers more caster, then I’d go with it, in retrospect. My coach still does not follow a straight line. Of course I have steel wheels and Firestone transforce tires but I was hoping after rebuilding the front end it would handle markedly better.

The new shocks made a big difference in the ride, that I never knew I needed! I’m hoping when I finally get some excitement back for the ol’ girl and put some real miles on it I’ll warm up to how it drives.

Larry Davick
1976 Palm Beach
Fremont, Ca.

Sent from my iPad

>
> Thank you to all. I do have a lot of head scratching to do.
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
David,
Since the 1-ton has a different lower ball joint, they were able to move the position of it slightly forward to increase the caster. I'm not sure if
the kits from Manny and JimK are made on the same jig, maybe someone on here knows the specs for the 1-ton on caster.

--
Bruce Hislop
ON Canada
77PB, 455 Dick P. rebuilt, DynamicEFI EBL EFI & ESC.1 ton front end
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=29001
My Staff says I never listen to them, or something like that
 
Better front brakes is my everyday benefit from the 1-ton.

The 1-ton rotors are 12.5" diameter rather than 11", so there is more swept area on the rotor for every revolution of the wheel. The larger rotor
also gives the brakes more mechanical advantage against wheel rotation resulting in more braking force.

Add in the slightly larger caliper piston, it all adds up to significant braking improvement.

Has anyone calculated the increased braking force with the 1-ton over OEM? Albert Branscombe?

--
Bruce Hislop
ON Canada
77PB, 455 Dick P. rebuilt, DynamicEFI EBL EFI & ESC.1 ton front end
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=29001
My Staff says I never listen to them, or something like that
 
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