Dropping OBS 4x4

[bigred2004]

Well guys figured Id change routes since Im going to be building a truck for the street. Having a big 4x4 with big tires and a powerful motor is cool lol but its always cooler when the guys next to you dont know its a 4x4 when you launch off the line

My question is, are there any alternatives to buying belltechs drop keys? Has anybody had any experience with the ebay drop keys? I know the factory keys can be cranked UP to reach the bump stops, what about swapping stock green keys outta the newer half tons since they have to use "ford" keys to max lift? I figured the green keys might help lower mine some. I wish somebody would come out with some drop spindles like these NBS guys have!! It sucks only being able to drop it 2" in the front....

For the rear I guess im looking to just drop it 4" with shackles and hangers since the 2wd and 4wd rear suspension is identical. Any other ideas I should consider? I dont wanna go crazy and slam it or bag it. Just looking for a nice low street stance. I guess a 2-4" drop will have to do.

[tahoetweaker]

a 2/4 will put you at about a 2wd stock height, just leveled out, i'd say go 4/6
It would look good.
Don't know how to go about lowering the 4x4, just look around, and I'm sure more people with actual helpful knowledge will chime in.

[bigred2004]

Lol yea im looking to go 4/6 maybe just a 3/6 since the belltech keys will only get you 3" max it says.... I dont mine flipping the rear. I just gotta find out my limits on the front. Because If I can only go 2-3" on the front I dont wanna drop it more than 4" in the rear. If i can get a solid 4" drop in the front then ill flip the rear. Just gotta get some info here!!

[tahoetweaker]

Do you have coils in the front?

[bigred2004]

Nope 4x4 runnin torsion bars, thats kinda why im posting in the 4x4 street section bud.

[tahoetweaker]

I don't know **** about 4x4's lol.
So i'll chime out now.

[james_8997]

they make a 4/6 drop for obs 4x4s?

[thegreenmonster]

Belltech keys aren't that expensive. What's your problem with using them?

[bigred2004]

Well since I still like doing some towing and I haul my 4-wheelers on a trailer, im swapping in a set of 5 leaf 3/4 ton springs since mine is a heavy half with the factory 9.5" 14b :)and im just thinking belltech keys on the front and flipping the rear. It'll be about a 3/5 drop. Im slowly building a 406 small block for this thing so I want it to have plenty of rubber on the ground. I doubt ill have to notch the frame, im gonna run a rollpan on the rear and my exhaust is dumped so there is no clearance problems with anything. I just want a nice low street stance and so I can keep my 4 wheel drive for solid launches. Im new to the whole lowered 4x4 crowd but its gonna be fun and something different!!

[james_8997]

x2 for me

[fastlt1]

Don't you use HD or 3/4 keys to drop a 4x4?

[bigred2004]

See Ive heard of people using the HD keys on a NBS but theres a total different relation to obs keys.... Im just gonna shell out the cash and get the belltech keys. And Ive decided im probably only gonna run 22s because I can get them in a 38 offset which will help tuck if I ever get a load in the bed.

[bigred2004]

Well I got the body lift off today, completely decranked the t-bars, stopped by oreillys and picked up some drop shackles, and it actually sits level. lol I still dont have any bumpers yet because my front one was bent up and im waiting on my rollpan to get here. This is just temporary but im wondering, how much further can the Belltech keys drop the truck than stock keys completely decranked? Im wanting to go another full 2" from here. BTW those are 265/70/17~31" tall




I know for the rear im either going to do 2" hangers, or some 3/4 ton springs, stock shackles, and flip the rear for about 4-5" total. It all depends on how much further the front will go with the bell tech keys. Im debating on keeping it at this height because it doesnt look too bad, but my biggest deal is I dont wanna waste over $100 just to get about another 1" anybody runnin the belltech keys??

[dave89iroc]

hey, could you measure to the front wheel well lip for me please? and the height of your wheels? I am going to be lowering my Z71 once i get it running right, and am looking for options

[bigred2004]

What do you want me to measure? The lip of the fender opening is right at 33" and my tires are about 31" tall. All you see in that picture is the stock torsion keys decranked completely and 2" drop shackles. I plan on getting the belltech lowering keys and going down further in the front.

[Steve's4x4]

Ive been thinking of dropping my 4x also , kinda on the fence with drop/lift either way it will cost me a grip. If i do drop im thinking belltech keys in front and shackle and lose the over load spring in rear.

But then i would need to get 20's cause my rock crawler copys would look gay on a lowered truck.

Too many decisions

[bigred2004]

Well lowering my truck has a point. Not just for looks but for traction and handling. I mean theres lots of 4x4 guys pushin lots of power with a stock look but im trying to be different and still be able to do 4wd launches

[kev2809]

i dropped my 4x4 with chassis tech keys (yes i heard the stories about chassis tech), and they work just fine. they are made for a 2" drop (maybe 3") but you can crank them down and get a few more inches. mine is about 4" dropped in front. for the back i bought belltech shackles, pulled the overload leaf. i like the stance but if i had to do it over i would like to go lower and get a flip kit. i read in a lot of places that they dont make drop hangers for 4x4...cant really confirm that because i thought it would be the same hanger for a 2wd. i also swapped out my wheels for nbs wheels with lower profile tires. heres what mine looks like..

[big schmerm]

Im doing the same with mine, but im getting rid of all of the front wheel drive components. Im probably going to swap everything in the front for all the suspension parts from a 2WD. So if anybody needs 4x4 peices let me know, I also have all the gears and chain from my transfer case available too. I have also cranked my Tbars all the way down, but now the ass is way up in the air, so im gonna C notch and flip kit it after I get the body kit and paint finished. Let me know how much more of a drop you get with your new keys.
It looks level from this angle, I dont have a profile shot that shows how bad its raked out.

[fastlt1]

I took the keys out of mine when installing the ford and let the jacks down just to see how low it would go on factory bump stops. It went low. If you took you CV joints apart and removed the shafts. You could leave the rest and see how you like it.