My advice on lowering your truck static.

[thecodeman]

Originally Posted by DoMDrty

Well I have read through the thread and found answers to my questions (2in dropped spindles vs 2in dropped lca's). I just got off the phone with summit and ordered a 4/6 drop (spindles, coils, flipkit, and nitro actives. Should be here by weds, gonna install it next sunday. I have a lil knowledge with suspensions (dropped a few balljoints and steering linkages), but my boy is gonna give me a hand. He has a 86 monte LS lifted (hydraulics). If any one can tear into a suspension, he can. I will post some before and after pics after its done. BTW, its going on an 03 silverado ext cab, stock wheels.

Glad FSC and I could help

[ridnlow]

Originally Posted by projectsilvo

what bout price is that good or do u know where i can look for cheaper and will installation be a we are going to rent a spring compressor and i have the tool for the bushings if i could get someone to explain installation that would be great thanx justin

You dont need a spring compressor. Just take out your spindle and your shock and your lower control arm will drop low enough for your spring to come out. I just put a DJM 4/6 on my 94.

[John Richied]

One guy asked about lowering a four-wheel drive a few pages back…

I bought the Belltech 3” front drop (keys), 4” rear drop (hangers, shackles) in a kit and the four Nitro drop shocks for my 1997 GMC 4X4 extended cab. The project isn’t just 3 or 4 hours like it looks, but the kit worked great!

[thecodeman]

Originally Posted by John Richied

One guy asked about lowering a four-wheel drive a few pages back…

I bought the Belltech 3” front drop (keys), 4” rear drop (hangers, shackles) in a kit and the four Nitro drop shocks for my 1997 GMC 4X4 extended cab. The project isn’t just 3 or 4 hours like it looks, but the kit worked great!

Cool, have any pics?

[Joe512]

I read through these and just wanted to confirm my thinking. I have a 2004 GMC Sierra 1500, 2wd, reg cab, long bed. I want to drop just the back to level it out with the front, last time I measured it was like 3 inches higher in the back. So I was just going to get new coil springs for the back, is that the right way to go? Later on when I can get new wheels and stuff I may drop it more, but for now I just want it to be level.

[1badgmc]

Originally Posted by Joe512

So I was just going to get new coil springs for the back, is that the right way to go?

Your truck has coil springs in the front and leaf springs in the rear.

[kudah440]

ok, this is cool and all, BUT...
why does it seem that everyones pushing the 4/6 and bigger drops?
been looking around for a while for info on 2/4 but it just doesnt seem to be here. I just want move a little closer to the ground for the performance, and not at all sold on the idea of puckering when I see a pothole in the road, if i wanted to do that Id drive my cuda everyday. lol
so anyway...where do i have to look for the low-carb version of suspension lowering?
jeremy-90 GMC 350 5 spd

[thecodeman]

Originally Posted by kudah440

ok, this is cool and all, BUT...
why does it seem that everyones pushing the 4/6 and bigger drops?
been looking around for a while for info on 2/4 but it just doesnt seem to be here. I just want move a little closer to the ground for the performance, and not at all sold on the idea of puckering when I see a pothole in the road, if i wanted to do that Id drive my cuda everyday. lol
so anyway...where do i have to look for the low-carb version of suspension lowering?
jeremy-90 GMC 350 5 spd

Basically, the same principles apply.

1) Don't buy crappy parts.

2) If you're mechanically inclined, you can do it yourself; if not - get a mechanic or someone you trust to do it for you.

3) Choose from brands like DJM, Belltech, or Western Chassis.

4) STAY AWAY from brands like AIM / Chassis Tech / Ricky Racer.



Having said that, you have choices in how you can go about getting the drop you want.

Front: 2" coils or 2" spindles

Rear: Shackle/Hanger combo - not reccommended by me, it was a PITA!
4" drop leaf springs - This would be the easiest and quickest install. No cutting/drilling of factory rivets

Don't forget new shocks and an alignment!

The reason that we pushed the big drops to begin with is because we were all in your shoes at first. We wanted something mild - a 2/4 or a 3/4 - which turned into the 4/6 or for me the 5/8 - which turns most of us to air suspension. So we say, if you go low, do it from the get go... save yourself time and money. It's addicting

[kudah440]

well thanks for the hints codeman

Front: 2" coils or 2" spindles

Rear: Shackle/Hanger combo - not reccommended by me, it was a PITA!
4" drop leaf springs - This would be the easiest and quickest install. No cutting/drilling of factory rivets

ok so what i really need to know though is how do you choose between the spindles and coils? which one is the better choice for handling, and funtionality?

and for the rear...same thing handling and function....but without welding (i dont trust my own welding on important stuff lol) Im a good mechanic, so nothing is really out of my skill level...i just dont have much experience before with lowering, Im more of a musclecar guy.

oh, and 2/4 is the absolute limit...no offense to anyone at all, but the wife hates lowered trucks, and this ones her baby. Im only getting away with it because it needs to handle better for the LT1.

[thecodeman]

Originally Posted by kudah440

well thanks for the hints codeman



ok so what i really need to know though is how do you choose between the spindles and coils? which one is the better choice for handling, and funtionality?

and for the rear...same thing handling and function....but without welding (i dont trust my own welding on important stuff lol) Im a good mechanic, so nothing is really out of my skill level...i just dont have much experience before with lowering, Im more of a musclecar guy.

oh, and 2/4 is the absolute limit...no offense to anyone at all, but the wife hates lowered trucks, and this ones her baby. Im only getting away with it because it needs to handle better for the LT1.

Just do leaf springs and spindles.

I have bad experience with DJM Lower Control Arms, and Shackle/hangers are a PITA.

[1badgmc]

Originally Posted by kudah440

ok so what i really need to know though is how do you choose between the spindles and coils? which one is the better choice for handling, and funtionality?

Spindles will give you your 2" drop while keeping the factory ride quality and the ability to keep your stock shocks. The only handling advantage is the lower center of gravity.

Coils will give you your 2" drop with a slightly firmer ride. If you want the best handling improvement for the money, coils are the way to go. You will need drop shocks with coils, but if you're after handling, you'd want new shocks anyhow. I would look into Eibach or Hotchkis coils. I had 2" Eibach coils on my truck before I bagged it and I have 3" Eibach coils on the Yukon right now. I can't say a single negative thing about them in respect to ride or handling, and I love high speed corners.

and for the rear...same thing handling and function....but without welding (i dont trust my own welding on important stuff lol) Im a good mechanic, so nothing is really out of my skill level...i just dont have much experience before with lowering, Im more of a musclecar guy.

Like thecodeman said, I'd go with 4" leafs. They're so much easier to install than hangers and they'll do good for your handling as well. I used to have a 5/8 drop on my truck with 4" leafs in the rear. I helped a friend move once and had that thing loaded down with a lot of crap and didn't have any troubles at all.

oh, and 2/4 is the absolute limit...no offense to anyone at all, but the wife hates lowered trucks, and this ones her baby. Im only getting away with it because it needs to handle better for the LT1.

2/4 is a good height. It's not hugely noticeable either visibly or from a driving perspective as far as speed bumps and whatnot, so she should be perfectly happy.

[HollywoodB6]

I need alittle help with my ride. I have a 1999 2-door Tahoe that has a 4/6 drop with load bags in the rear. I want to mount 20" rims and I need to know what backspacing to use. 20x8.5" in the front and 20x10" in the rear. Will the 20x10' fit in the back?
I've learned a lot from this thread. Thanks for your knowledge.

[xx_ED_xx]

Ok i may sound stupid asking but i have a few questions
i have a 90 454 ss i wanna do a 4/6 drop
in the front i assume i need 2 inch drop spindles and 2 inch drop springs correct?

In the rear i really dont wanna use a flip kit
I plan on putting some horse power to it and prefer just putting rear on top of springs and welding a new set of spring perches to it.
But since i havent dome this yet i see kits that say u need a "notch"
plate or something. IF anyone that has done one have pics of the frame or the rear part would help me out a bunch..or if u got any other info i would appreciate that as well
THANKS

[ridnlow]

If you go anything lower than 4" in the rear then you will have to do the notch.. It isnt that hard at all.. I will get some pics of my brothers truck that me and him did.. I dont have any of the notch right now, but I will see if I can get some up today sometime..

[RollingBowTie01]

my 01 standard cab short bed needs to be slammed. i have 20x9's all the way around wrapped in 275/45/20's. now i am goin to go to a smaller tire like a 30 or 35 series but i want to have a wider tire out back to have that stuffed look. now my delima is that i like the look of the 4/6 drop but need to know if anyone has had problems stuffin the big 20's and a good size tire package. any suggestions will help.

[00'blackout]

Well...I guess I will put my .02 in..I have a 275/45/20 set-up on a 3/5 drop...um is it your daily driver? I have not had any problems on my truck...its more of a street stance rather than slammed, but a smaller size tire will help on your quest of slamming on 20's...I'm sure others will chime in..Good Luck!!!

[00'blackout]

Oh and I also have a20"X9" rim

[Blaze5509]

275/45/20's will fit with a 4/6 with the correct backspacing on your rim. May require a little fender rolling but that will just add to the "stuffed" look.

[Silverado_9c3]

the lower the better!!

[bigburb]

i want to do a 3/4, possibly a 4/6 on my 93 suburban. it is very important to me to keep the stock ride/better. what is the best way to go? i've heard so many options so far... spindles, coils, lca's, flip kit, shackles/hangers, and leafs. i'm not very experienced in suspension, but i am mechanically inclined. of all of the options, what is the best way to go, and what brand is best for my needs?

also, what's this about shock extenders and new sway bars?