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BMS Builds A Better Chevy Silverado Suspension - 4-Wheel & Off-Road Magazine

Fred Williams Brand Manager, Petersen’s 4Wheel & Off Road

Chevy 1/2-ton 4x4 trucks have had a bad rap off road for a while, but that's about to change. The Silverado's front IFS used to be criticized as too weak for trail work and too short for go-fast guys, but with the addition of BMS Off Road's new mid-travel IFS, this light-duty truck can now go romping and twisting to its heart's content.

2001 Chevy Silverado Suspension System off Roading Chevy Photo 28846639

We swung by the BMS shop and followed along as they installed the new Chevy/GMC Stage 1 suspension system on an '01 Silverado. The kit allows for 8 inches of front wheel travel, a 20 percent increase over stock. This suspension is available for '07 and newer 1500 Silverados, but BMS also covers earlier GM trucks as well as Fords, Toyotas, and Hummers.

2001 Chevy Silverado Suspension System factory Front Suspension Photo 33039483

Your basic Chevy half-ton front IFS. Note the spindly upper A-arm, thin steering links, and yawn-inducing factory shocks. The looks alone are dismal, but performance is lacking too, with just 6 inches of wheel travel. Little wheel travel overworks the shocks when traveling at high speeds in the dirt and lifts a tire when all twisted up in unlevel terrain. PhotosView Slideshow First to go is the upper A-arm, and in its place is the BMS fabricated piece. The new arm uses a 1-inch-od Uni-ball that won't bind as quickly as the factory upper ball joint. The heat-treated 4340 chromoly conversion pin and polyurethane bushings offer strength and longevity to the BMS part.

First to go is the upper A-arm, and in its place is the BMS fabricated piece. The new arm uses a 1-inch-od Uni-ball that won't bind as quickly as the factory upper ball joint. The heat-treated 4340 chromoly conversion pin and polyurethane bushings offer strength and longevity to the BMS part.

The next part to hit the floor is the GM tie rod from the factory rack-and-pinion out to the knuckle. Though designed for and proven over thousands of highway miles, one smack with a rock or stump and the tires point inboard. The BMS replacement tie rods are machined from 13/8-inch 7075 aluminum with Heim joints and a 17-4 machined clevis for improved strength. Plus, by using the tapered conversion pin, it bolts right in place on any '99 and newer Chevy 1500 truck and '01 and newer 2500/3500 HDs and some Hummers.

The 20 percent more wheel travel added by the more flexible upper A-arm is controlled with 21/2-inch coilover shocks made by King. These coilovers have a remote reservoir for separating the air and oil, have a longer stroke, and are valved to best control the increased wheel travel.

PhotosView Slideshow To accompany this new suspension, BMS also offers front bumpers that include a front skidplate and a lightweight tube bumper with tabs for mounting lights. The bumpers require some cutting to install but bolt on without welding.

To accompany this new suspension, BMS also offers front bumpers that include a front skidplate and a lightweight tube bumper with tabs for mounting lights. The bumpers require some cutting to install but bolt on without welding.

The rear suspension uses the stock springs but is upgraded to King 21/2-inch piggyback reservoir shocks for greater control. The difference between the BMS suspension and others is that it is not designed as a lift kit, but rather a performance suspension that controls the tire movement better. Our test truck only saw 32-inch-tall tires, as larger tires would require fiberglass fenders front and rear. BMS offers an even-longer-travel rear suspension that includes a bed cage to mount the shocks up through the bed floor.

A lightweight rear tube bumper is also available through BMS for late-model GM Silverados. It doesn't protrude any farther out than a stock bumper and adds to that sleek desert race look.

BMS Builds A Better Chevy Silverado Suspension - 4-Wheel & Off-Road Magazine

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