How low did they go? New Tahoe, unknown drop & towing question.

[Darcane]

I recently picked up an '05 2WD Tahoe for my wife to drive and to take over summer towing duties (21 ft camping trailer, ~5000lb loaded, WDH). We looked at a few before settling on this one, which my wife really liked.

One thing she wasn't too keen on are the wheels, which will be changing out. The original plan was to swap with the wheels I have on my silverado (flat, 5-spoke 17" wheels that came stock on 2005 Tahoes). While swapping the wheels, I quickly figured out something I hadn't noticed before... it was lowered. I attributed the improved look to the aftermarket wheels and as this is our first Tahoe I hadn't noticed the drop. It became quite obvious though when I tried to put the 17" wheels on the front. They wouldn't fit because it has drop spindles and the wheel interfered with the lower ball joint bolts. Plan is now to find Silverado LTZs... Current wheels are Boss 330s with 305/40R22 tires.

Anyways, the questions:
1) Any ideas on how much it's been lowered? I'm guessing about a 2/4 based on pics in the sticky drop guide. What's the best way to confirm? I noticed the drop spindles and that the rear springs are a progressive rate spring, but nothing else stood out as obviously modified.

2) Should I be concerned about decreased towing ability with it being lowered?

-Mike

 

[Young28]

looks like a 2/3, 2/4. Maybe put some helper springs out back to help with the towing some. But other then that everything should be fine.

 

[WHITEOUT]

^^ +1 . You can always grind some of the ball joint bolt off the bottom to allow the 17" wheels to fit.

Helper bags would be a great idea.
most likely free travel modification hasn't been done, and will just end up bottoming out or resting on bump stops when weighted down. Will technically help not letting it go any lower, but will ride like crap.

 

[Darcane]

looks like a 2/3, 2/4. Maybe put some helper springs out back to help with the towing some. But other then that everything should be fine.

Recommendations on helper springs? WDH should help too with this too I think.

^^ +1 . You can always grind some of the ball joint bolt off the bottom to allow the 17" wheels to fit.

Helper bags would be a great idea.
most likely free travel modification hasn't been done, and will just end up bottoming out or resting on bump stops when weighted down. Will technically help not letting it go any lower, but will ride like crap.

I thought about grinding them, but I kinda want the larger wheel anyways, and it makes for a good excuse to go that route. Also, it might add an extra challege to replace the ball joint when it wears out.

I didn't know about the free travel mod when I peered underneath... but I remember seeing those bumpstops. Fortunately, I have a sawzall.

 

[WHITEOUT]

Firestone 4108 is the kit for stock applications. But would suggest measuring your springs when compressed in vehicle, height n width, and ordering what works for your needs.

I tried to run stock helper bags in my setup and ended up blowing the bags. I am lower then you, but possibility is still there, or it could work fine

But measuring is how I got my current bags from Firestone . I like to use a slightly larger bag then the spring height personally.

I actually just ground down my ball joint bolt the other day. After getting a flat in front and not being able to use my 17" spare, it kinda sucked. But it was simple for me to do, and can still easily remove the nut with no issues. To each there own tho, and that's what AAA is for and larger sized spares right

Nice looking Tahoe tho man, congrats on the purchase and welcome to the forum.

 

[Darcane]

I did a quick measure on the wheelwells last night. My driveway is not real flat, so it was 33 1/2" on LF and RR, and 34 1/2 RF and LR. So, average 34" all around.

Think it's up high enough for the stock Firestone kit? Do they make one for lowered Tahoes or do you have to piecemeal it?

 

[Darcane]

Update: traded for some 2008 Silverado LTZ wheels. Looks much better.

 

[M Hankel]

Those new ones dont look bad, but damn, those 330'sfor looked 100x better IMO lol.....

Mike

 

[Alex33]

Looks nice with the new wheels. Really digging the OEM+ look they give.

 

[01yukon]

I used the airlift brand coil spring bags (for stock coils) in my coils on my lowered denali and worked great. Factory airride crapped out, so I bought a set of Beltech springs. Didn't have to put much air in the bags at all to hold a load. I hauled a 8k lb camper with like 15 lbs of air in them perfectly level.

 

[micah]

What happened to the old wheels? That style is on my list of potential wheels. I need 22" too!

 

[fire730]

What happened to the old wheels? That style is on my list of potential wheels. I need 22" too!

Update: Traded for some 2008 Silverado LTZ wheels. Looks much better.

 

[LSUz71]

New oe wheels look alot cleaner. Now you juat need to demold!
Looks like 2/4 or just 2" in the rear.


Sent fr

 

[Darcane]

Wife was griping about the ride being too harsh, especially now that the neighborhood just put in speed bumps. So, while doing an oil change, I was poking around underneath. In my own driving, I've noticed it really only seems to be a problem in the rear suspension.

Up front, it appears to be all stock (including shocks) except the drop spindles. I'd guess 2" but saw no markings on them. I have noticed an occasional "clunk" at full lock when hitting a small bump, but see nothing that appears to be binding. Ball joint maybe?

Rear has H&R Springs P/N 50721 which is a 3" drop spring. Bump stops are stock and nearly touch when it's just sitting there, and appear to hit regularly while driving. Shocks appear stock and have little travel before bottoming out. There are no shock extenders.

I believe I need new shocks in the rear, but want to get a full set since they are probably due anyways. Any recommendations? I'll likely do the free travel mod or at least cut the bump stops too if new shocks don't fix the issue.

I did tow the trailer breifly and it seemed to behave just fine. I'll hold off on the helper bags for now.

---------- Post added at 02:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:25 PM ----------

New oe wheels look alot cleaner. Now you juat need to demold!
Looks like 2/4 or just 2" in the rear.


Sent fr

Thanks! My best guess is a 2/3 drop at this point.

I rather like the molding though. Being white, without it, it looks too much like just another appliance around the house. Needs to have something to break up all that white.

 

[Alex33]

Mike, I'd look into cutting off your bumpstop brackets to gain some of the rear travel back.

 

[felixgun]

You could just remove the lowering kit and go back to stock suspension. I'm guessing it'll ride a lot better stock then how it is now.

 

[Darcane]

You could just remove the lowering kit and go back to stock suspension. I'm guessing it'll ride a lot better stock then how it is now.

Well, that's no fun...

Plus, I don't have the stock spindles, stock springs, etc.

Got a new set of Belltech shocks and extenders coming from NORCAL SS (Thanks Tony!). Between that and cutting down the bumps stops, I should be good.

 

[NORCAL SS]

start with the shocks and then do what we talked about.

 

[felixgun]

Well, that's no fun...

Plus, I don't have the stock spindles, stock springs, etc.

Got a new set of Belltech shocks and extenders coming from NORCAL SS (Thanks Tony!). Between that and cutting down the bumps stops, I should be good.

Ah I see. You're right going back to stock is never fun lol. I hear belltech is the best you can get so you should be good to go!