Believe it or not, not everything we do around here is geared toward making our trucks lower, louder, or faster. In fact, we've got a couple of trucks in the stable that are used strictly for towing, hauling, and commuting. Sure, we've made those trucks look better, but we've also made them perform better in their arena of use. Case in point: This '04 Chevy Silverado 4x4 spends a great deal of time hauling a 24-foot trailer that weighs in excess of 6,000 pounds. The factory rear suspension wasn't up to the task of supporting the additional tongue weight of the tag trailer, so we fixed that with a simple rear load-bag kit from Hellwig.
What's In The box?
The kit bolts onto the truck completely, without compromising the structural integrity of the chassis or altering the handling of the truck when it's unloaded and the 'bags are empty. When we need the additional support of the air-filled springs, it's there on command, and when we don't we simply deflate the 'bags and drive the truck as normal. It's a win-win situation.
PART ONE: PREPPING THE CHASSIS
1. We took our truck to the...
1. We took our truck to the experts at 4 Wheel Parts in Laguna Hills, California, for the installation. After securing the truck on jackstands, the rear wheels were removed to gain access to the chassis.
2. Here's a good look at the...
2. Here's a good look at the rear suspension of the Silverado. It's a standard leaf-spring arrangement with shocks staggered on both sides of the axle and bumpstops located between the spring pack and framerails. The load bags will be taking the place of these bumpstops.
3. The bumpstops are through-bolted...
3. The bumpstops are through-bolted into the framerails via pressed-in studs and 14mm nuts. They are easily removed with a ratcheting wrench or air ratchet.
4. The Hellwig kit is so complete...
4. The Hellwig kit is so complete that in addition to the other accessories it also includes this painted steel bracket for relocating the brake line running along the axletube. This will move the line away from the airbags and prevent it from rubbing on the 'bag.