Lowering the Z71 this time around
10-01-2009 | 08:48 AM
#11
295/45/20 on a 1.5" / 2.5" drop. The SS suspension is the same as the Z71 minus the rear blocks so take that for what it's worth. Still on stock shocks, but shopping around.
10-01-2009 | 09:34 AM
#12
After taking some measurements I cant pull my fifth wheel with the lift I want, and I cant just drive something stock so I think Im going to mildly lower my truck. Remove the lift blocks and maybe go to some hotchkis rear springs, spindles up front and cut the bumpstops some. That should net me a fairly level truck and about a 4/6 drop from stock Z71 height. Im also going to run the hotchkis sways on it, I want this thing to handle like its on rails. I read all different opinions about shocks on here, has anything new come out in the last few months thats better? The 150 per tire versus 450 a tire is also a nice benefit of not driving a lifted truck anymore so I can play more. Im thinking centerline stingray IIIs with 295/45R20s wrapped around them, will I have any trouble clearing those up front? Id like to have as much meat on the ground as possible since I may go play at one of the road course events with it. I know everyone on here has those wheels but I think I may have only seen them once out on the roads in real life so if you dont like my wheel choice, KMA
Is there anything else I should consider? Ive never had a lowered vehicle before so this is new territory and I figured its now or never and a hell of a lot cheaper than the lifted route. If it doesnt work out I can always go up.
Is there anything else I should consider? Ive never had a lowered vehicle before so this is new territory and I figured its now or never and a hell of a lot cheaper than the lifted route. If it doesnt work out I can always go up.man that was hard to read!
New keys & cut down the front bump-stops for the front. Remove the blocks & get the longer hangers for the rear. Move the rear bump-stop to the frame(remove u-shaped bracker). Use KYB Monomax shocks to finish it off for a factory ride quality. KYB has part numbers for SSS trucks, those are the ones you want.
Do not cut the bumpstops, they are part of the necessary geometry. PM me for Belltech Urethane shortstops.
Yes to removing the rear blocks but you'll want 2wd U-bolts, and shackles to get 4" in the rear. If you have room (exhaust doesn't get hit) removing those brackets to put the new stops directly on the frame is a good idea, for me I can't or my tail pipes would get smashed
I really like the Bellteck "STREET PERFORMANCE" shocks, miles better than the nitro-actives. Everyone who I have recommended them to has told me they like them alot.
10-01-2009 | 11:47 AM
#13
Yes, spindles are better than using keys for correcting steering geometry. I also agree that the Belltech shortstops are better than cutting on the stockers. But I will say that my "budget drop" has been on my truck since it was new, and drives like stock for the last 125,000 miles, FWIW.
10-01-2009 | 04:13 PM
#16
so you had actives and went to the street perf? ive never had the street performance but my actives do really great, and roads around here are crap. but then again anything is better than stock and i went straight from stock to them both times..
10-01-2009 | 06:20 PM
#18
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Tin Foil Hat Wearin' Fool
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Im liking the 4/5 and 4/6 drops more and more 
Just not quite sure how to get the front drop the best way. LCAs drop the truck the truck 3" so if I added in spindles Id be at 5 and I think thats going to be lower than I want to be. I may just do the LCAs and drop keys for the extra inch, Id also like the option to run my stock wheels with some DRs if I so choose.
Ill remove the lift block in the rear, do hangers and shackles, atleast with the shackles I can adjust them to 1" drop if that is whats going to make the truck look the best.
Bill how much drop do you have on your truck?
Just not quite sure how to get the front drop the best way. LCAs drop the truck the truck 3" so if I added in spindles Id be at 5 and I think thats going to be lower than I want to be. I may just do the LCAs and drop keys for the extra inch, Id also like the option to run my stock wheels with some DRs if I so choose.
Ill remove the lift block in the rear, do hangers and shackles, atleast with the shackles I can adjust them to 1" drop if that is whats going to make the truck look the best.
Bill how much drop do you have on your truck?
10-01-2009 | 07:03 PM
#20
Yes. The StreetPerformanc shocks are way better IMO.
Do only the blocks (2") and the shackles (2") and don't forget shims. If you want lower you will need to notch I'd think, I know I'd have to. 
I have Belltech 2" spindles up front with a little torsion detwist to get me ~3.5" down and in the rear shackles and hangars but I'm looking for a good deal on 2wd U-bolts to pull the blocks and swap the stock shackles back since the stock hangars are cut out.
I have Belltech 2" spindles up front with a little torsion detwist to get me ~3.5" down and in the rear shackles and hangars but I'm looking for a good deal on 2wd U-bolts to pull the blocks and swap the stock shackles back since the stock hangars are cut out.