2007 Denali AWD Lowering Advise

[superstarsteveo]

Good Morning Forum Friends

I recently purchased a 2007 AWD Denali w/80k original miles. Typically I would never buy an AWD, but the price was too good to pass up. I have a lot of experience lifting these in 2wd, I have owned 2 2008's and 3- 2004-2005's.

It seems lifting the AWD is more hassle than its worth, so lowering it seems to be the best option. There are several different options for lowering it, then I'll ask about wheels...

Lowering

I was thinking 2" spindles and 2" springs for the front and 5" DJM rear springs that are actually for a 2005. The rear springs appear to be the same, although they have different part numbers. However Im not positive and I only want to do this once so any input is very appreciated. I have also heard going too low would put the front CV Axles on a weird angle thus causing harder wear, has anyone else heard of this?

My objective is to go with as low of a static drop as I can...

Wheels

I really like the Snowflake wheels, my last lowered SUV was a 2005 Escalade 2wd with 5" DJM rears, spindles and lowered torsion bars w/24" snowflakes running a 275/35/24.

I prefer to run a 26, with either a 295 or 305 has anyone experienced rubbing or clearance issues?

Overall

the drop could be 1 of 2 scenarios, 4" front using springs and spindles, rear could be 4" or 5" springs assuming the DJM 5" spring from a 2005 is the same fitment as a 2007. Worst case everyone has a 4" rear spring... so 4/5 ideally or 4/4 meh...

would I ba happier with 24's or 26's?

I appreciate your input in advanced.

 

[Blue Rock]

If you use Belltech Adjustable 2 inch +/- 2 drop/raise struts there is no need to change the front springs when paired with the Belltech Spindles. That gives you 2 inches on the spindles and up to 2 inches of drop on the struts. If you want to go 5 to 6 in the rear be prepared to do the free travel mod because your frame will impact the axle without it. The one thing about lowering an AWD I remember is having to trim the top ball joint bolt when you put the spindles on because it impacts the boot on the axle. I am torn right now between a 24 and 26 inch wheel since they are so close in price. I am likely going to go with a 24 though. My truck is lowered 3/5, but I will probably put it at 4/6 once the wheels are on.

 

[Big Mama]

Like he said. I’m 2/3 with spindles so I can use struts to go lower. As stated the decision to cut the bolts is important think of the size of your spare if you get a flat or if you get a flat on Grotius can move rear to front and put spare on rear.

 

[superstarsteveo]

The main reason I was using springs is bc the Denali has the auto-ride system with the wires that run to the top of each strut. I didnt think the Bell kit was capable of replacing the auto ride..

 

[Blue Rock]

My truck had auto ride, but I removed it and put diodes in the sensors.

 

[superstarsteveo]

My truck had auto ride, but I removed it and put diodes in the sensors.

I need the auto ride, esp the rear as I tow a 5000lb boat often. I assume the autohide will level the rear when its under load?

 

[superstarsteveo]

If you use Belltech Adjustable 2 inch +/- 2 drop/raise struts there is no need to change the front springs when paired with the Belltech Spindles. That gives you 2 inches on the spindles and up to 2 inches of drop on the struts. If you want to go 5 to 6 in the rear be prepared to do the free travel mod because your frame will impact the axle without it. The one thing about lowering an AWD I remember is having to trim the top ball joint bolt when you put the spindles on because it impacts the boot on the axle. I am torn right now between a 24 and 26 inch wheel since they are so close in price. I am likely going to go with a 24 though. My truck is lowered 3/5, but I will probably put it at 4/6 once the wheels are on.

Quinn,

I noticed your in Tallahassee and Im in Panama City Beach

 

[Big Mama]

Yes I have the same truck you do and still have auto ride and pull a boat about the same weight auto ride airs up the rear as for the front auto ride works well with spindles. Both front and back need the actuators shortened

 

[Blue Rock]

Quinn,

I noticed your in Tallahassee and Im in Panama City Beach

Yeah buddy! Just right down the street.

 

[superstarsteveo]

Well....

Its ordered!

I went with the Street Edge 3/4 lowering kit that utilizes front springs and spindles ad rear springs and shock extenders. I went with 26" machine finished snowflake wheels with 295/30/26's. I hate chrome and not a fan of black on a black Denali...

Pics to come...

 

[Blue Rock]

That’s going to look good. Can’t wait to see pics.

 

[superstarsteveo]

I went with the 3/4 Street Edge Lowering kit. The kit was actually a 4/4 lowering kit if I didn’t use the supplied 1” spacers for the front.

Got the kit put on today, this was the result..

3/4 lowering kit, 26” GMC Snowflakes w/295’s

 

[superstarsteveo]

It took A LOT of inner fender plastic trimming to accommodate the 26’s on the AWD Denali. I don’t know if that’s the case on 2wd’s or 4wd’s.

I second guessed myself 1000 times if I wanted to make the jump to 26’s, I had 24’s on my 06 Lowered Escalade prior to the Yukon. The 26’s are YUGE! Seriously they are big and I’m glad I went with them.

 

[Big Mama]

Looks great I’m not usually a fan of 26’s but they look perfect filling your wheel well

 

[Blue Rock]

Looks awesome man

It took A LOT of inner fender plastic trimming to accommodate the 26’s on the AWD Denali. I don’t know if that’s the case on 2wd’s or 4wd’s.

I second guessed myself 1000 times if I wanted to make the jump to 26’s, I had 24’s on my 06 Lowered Escalade prior to the Yukon. The 26’s are YUGE! Seriously they are big and I’m glad I went with them.

 

[superstarsteveo]

Thank you for the compliments..

So this morning I did the alignment and I prob came up with 3000 new 4 letter words.

I would advise anyone considering 26’s to do a 2/3 drop maximum esp if you’re planning on any daily driving.

On the alignment rack I added a ton of camber and got the wheel pretty well upright, which lead to clearance problems... I’ll come back to this..

When it came to the caster I had to pull the wheel towards the front of the truck to even it out in the wheel well which gave me way better turning radius.

Back to that camber I ended up adding a 1/2” billet spacer on top of the strut hat to make the wheel clear without ripping off the inner fender plastic. Thank god we have a CNC Machine that I could mill the spacer or else I would have to do some serious improvising to accommodate the 26’s.

For a novice reading this thread and considering lowering your Yukon/Tahoe or Escalade... a big thing to consider in calculating your inches of drop, is the inches of wheel and tire your adding above stock.

Example the factory 20 w/tire is like 31.9” total diameter. The 295 is like 33” and change which the added circumference will make a difference in the suspension mods

 

[Blue Rock]

I was wondering if you had done the alignment after the pics because it looked like quite a bit of camber on the front. I love the 4/6 drop on 26s though.

 

[Fosscore]

Sweet stance but yes those 26s are like stuffing 10lbs in a 5lb sack. At least you had the means in the shop and skills to make it happen. Not a novice install at all. Post up some more shots from the quarters. Good choice on the machined snowflakes.

 

[superstarsteveo]

I was wondering if you had done the alignment after the pics because it looked like quite a bit of camber on the front. I love the 4/6 drop on 26s though.

The camber didn’t change enough to notice. Even with the billet spacer when the wheel goes up it has to have room to go. With perfect/near perfect camber it would tear off the outside of the fender.

So I left some negative camber in it, rolled the inner fender and called it a day. $500 set of Lexani tires every 2 years is a smal price to pay for that look

 

[superstarsteveo]

Sweet stance but yes those 26s are like stuffing 10lbs in a 5lb sack. At least you had the means in the shop and skills to make it happen. Not a novice install at all. Post up some more shots from the quarters. Good choice on the machined snowflakes.

I hate chrome wheels bc the first time you have to put tires on, the cheap China chrome peels right off... black wheels are cool, but I was going for a pretty stock look.

I wanted someone to see it and kind of go wtf they made Yukon’s like that? Lol..