Lowering Kits

[Minitrucker86]

Looking at dropping my Yukon either 2/4 or 3/4 not fully decided yet. But my question, is the belltech or other big known brand kit really any different than the eBay kits ? I’m definitely going drop spindles and don’t care to drop the extra cash on the belltech kit if it’s really a difference in ride quality or parts quality. I’ve owned many belltech kits but never purchased a eBay kit before

 

[Big Mama]

Are they better? Maybe. The big name suppliers are big bc they have a track record of quality. They also have everything you need in one stop.
When someone says “hey I have a kit from McGaughy” I know what they’re dealing with and most big names have great warranties.
If you’re doing spindles up front I’d want a trusted name. Same for the rear springs.
If you’re doing new rear shocks places like Arnott can be had much cheaper than OEM and have lifetime warranties.
I didn’t buy a kit bc I could only afford doing the rear first then the front but I did use McGaughy and Eibach. It’s been 13 years and all I’ve changed was the shocks front and rear.
How much are you planning to save by buying off brand parts?

 

[Minitrucker86]

Are they better? Maybe. The big name suppliers are big bc they have a track record of quality. They also have everything you need in one stop.
When someone says “hey I have a kit from McGaughy” I know what they’re dealing with and most big names have great warranties.
If you’re doing spindles up front I’d want a trusted name. Same for the rear springs.
If you’re doing new rear shocks places like Arnott can be had much cheaper than OEM and have lifetime warranties.
I didn’t buy a kit bc I could only afford doing the rear first then the front but I did use McGaughy and Eibach. It’s been 13 years and all I’ve changed was the shocks front and rear.
How much are you planning to save by buying off brand parts?

I’m keeping my autoride shocks and it’s about $300 difference

 

[petethepug]

The difference is $300 now. If you replace an autoride once, it’s also the last time as they’ve guaranteed for life.

Only a few shock companies do that lifetime thing. I’ve done the Koni on my VW twice since ‘98. Ordering $1,400 in new shocks and getting the same back is awesome. Especially when the Koni were originally $800 a set.

Strangely the price on autoride fell 50% from what the dealer now charges.

 

[Big Mama]

$300 is a significant amount, to me anyway. to me. Get the 3” drop springs in a kit that includes shock extenders and carefully read reviews of any off brand parts. If one of them is Detroit Axle beware.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

You get what you pay for, at best. Suspensions are probably an area where you don't want to experience a catastrophic failure while tooling down the highway or 20 miles out in the bush lands.

 

[Minitrucker86]

Looking at dropping my Yukon either 2/4 or 3/4 not fully decided yet. But my question, is the belltech or other big known brand kit really any different than the eBay kits ? I’m definitely going drop spindles and don’t care to drop the extra cash on the belltech kit if it’s really a difference in ride quality or parts quality. I’ve owned many belltech kits but never purchased a eBay kit

I’m keeping my autoride shocks and it’s about $300 difference

 

[Big Mama]

I don’t have any experience with Crown or Rideco. It looks like they’re saving money on the spindles. Summit has the McGaughy kit for $589. The kit you showed says for an Escalade so check your fit before you order. If the PO didn’t already replace the compressor and shocks be thinking about that.

 

[petethepug]

What kind of truck do you own? Is it 4WD or AWD?

 

[RichardCranium]

I'm easily over 50k miles on my Belltech kit, clearly one of the best things I did to my Tahoe. While I don't have any experience with any of the off-branded kits, and I didn't have any factory air ride, I can tell you I have zero regrets about going Belltech. The kit was complete and installation was a breeze, no headaches whatsoever. In fact the only component not replaced were the front coil springs, they were retained.

I'm about due for a freshening of shocks, just being mindful since I do take my Tahoe on road trips. Currently debating going with a full air ride to lower it a touch more, or just to remain happy with the current kit as-is and put some fresh struts/shocks on it.

 

[nitro498]

I’m looking at adding the 2/4 lowering kit ( spindles, rear springs). This 2007 Tahoe is stock without an air ride suspension. Currently the shocks installed are in good condition. Can I just use a spindle/ rear springs kit with my current shocks? Will the ride quality be the same?

 

[Big Mama]

The kit should come with shock extenders but I cant remember if they go up to 4”. You’re also in the area of needing the free travel mod. You may want to consider doing 3” to not have to consider either of these questions. @petethepug may know about the extenders.

 

[petethepug]

I’m ashamed. I don’t know about lowering and stance on these trucks. I purposely stay uninformed about so I don’t drain my bank account.

Even though I look away at AWD, leveled, Burbs, Denali YXL & Caddy ESV, there’s still a little bit of drool falling off my face I can feel.

 

[Big Mama]

My bad @petethepug

 

[petethepug]

No biggie, always love seeing your avatar of Chloe.

 

[david11946]

Hi, I have a 2011 Tahoe LT 4X4 (LMG) and I am looking to lower it. I am attracted to the 4/5 drop but I am curious as to which front drop method to use (or which drop method is more efficient and better for the suspension geometry). I have looked at the 4" drop front lower and upper control arms from Trekline Motorsports since their upper control arms are alignment correcting (or at least advertised as such). Would this be better than using a drop spindle and a lowering spring? For the rear, I was going to do the frame upgrade with a cutting wheel to avoid bottoming out (as seen on the many Youtube videos). I am using Trekline peices in the rear as well to get the 5" drop and I don't have the "Air-Ride option". I have the adjustable panhard rod picked out and I was thinking of going with Billsteins struts up front and Nitro Drop shocks in the rear if necessary. Is this an efficient lowering method or would it be better for the suspension geometry to use a 2" drop spindle and 2" springs components like Belltech or McGaughy's? I am also going with a 24X10 SIlverado FR 34 Replica rims witha a 305/35/24 tire on all 4 corners. Any advice would be deeply appreciated.

Trekline Motorsports Upper Control Arms:

07 - 14 Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, Avalanche Upper Alignment Correcting Arms

Trekline Motorsports, Inc. provides Lift Kits, Lowering Kits and Leveling Kits for a wide range of Chevrolet, Dodge, Toyota, Nissan and Ford Trucks and SUVs.

treklinemotorsports.com

 

[Big Mama]

Mine isn’t lowered that much so I can’t speak to that but others will. With my 2” drop in front I have to do some inner fender massaging to get my 305’s not to rub. But I have a fairly deep offset.

When the others join in they’ll have a better idea about that.

 

[89Suburban]

Pay attention when purchasing the drop spindles. Most have the 3 bolt holes for the hub bolts to thread in from behind. But there is a type that uses a threaded stub and nut for the top bolt and a member on here had one wind up loosening up and walking out on him. You will also be trimming ball joint studs to clear the axle shafts and/or rims.

I have had no problem at all with Ebay rear drop springs and shock extenders. They ride perfectly fine IMO.

 

[david11946]

Thank you for the input so far. I'll keep an eye on this thread. I think I am going to proceed with my above mentioned set up and I'll post whatever results I face with it. While I have seen others post positive results when running a 295/35/24 or 305/35/24 tire size with the 24" GM replica rims and their respective offsets, I have not heard anything particularly negative with regard to rubbing or other interferences. Thanks again for the insight.

 

[89Suburban]

Thank you for the input so far. I'll keep an eye on this thread. I think I am going to proceed with my above mentioned set up and I'll post whatever results I face with it. While I have seen others post positive results when running a 295/35/24 or 305/35/24 tire size with the 24" GM replica rims and their respective offsets, I have not heard anything particularly negative with regard to rubbing or other interferences. Thanks again for the insight.

Good luck, keep us posted of your progress.