Just finished lowering 96 2dr 2wd

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rchurch5945

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I just finished the suspension on my 96 2dr/2wd and though I'd post some thoughts on it:

I completely rebuilt the front and rear suspension - everything is brand new, including the rear leaf springs and shackles. Only the control arms were rebuilt.

I did all the work myself, just to be able to say "I did it myself!" Probably would not do it again. I'm too old and fat to be getting up and down and getting on the floor under a vehicle. I did have some help from a couple of my teenage grandkids, which was awesome that they loved working on a vehicle. I hope I helped start a life long love affair of vehicles like I have had.

I did a 4/4 drop kit from DJM. I used the 2" spindles and 2" springs in the front and axle flip kit in the rear. Its lower than I expected but I still like it, although it doesn't ride as good as I expected. I was hoping to keep a near stock ride.

I used polyurethane bushings. I wanted a tight, slightly stiffer ride, but it's more than I wanted. I would recommend stock, rubber bushings.

I used Cal-Max shocks designed for lowered suspension. I don't care for them and will switch them out. They just seem to be pretty soft. I was told the Belltech Street Suspension shocks are really good and will probably go with them.

The first time I drove it the driveshaft hit the underneath whenever I hit even the slightest bump. I changed the pinion angle some and it helped, but it still hit from time to time. There is a small brace-type box in the transmission tunnel that it was hitting. I cut a 2" notch out of it and solved the problem. A future project will be to fabricate a piece to go in there to give it a finished look.

I put 20 x 9 wheels on it with a +18 offset and 275/40/20 tires. A little less sidewall than I wanted but they fit perfect. It rode like a tank and I wasn't too happy about that. After two weeks I decided to check the air pressure to see if I could lower it some and help the ride. They had 46 lbs in them! I lowered it to 32 lbs and the ride improved tremendously. I now will always check air pressure after getting new tires. Also checked the bolts holding the center caps on and they were all loose! Some almost to the point off coming out and losing the center cap. I hate paying someone to do something and then having to go behind them to make sure it was done right. And this was one of the top tire places in the area.

The exhaust is now hitting the rear end so my next project will be to raise it up an inch or two.

I want to thank everyone for their posts on here. This was easily the best forum with the most information! I also want to apologize for the lengthy post.

I will post pics as soon as I can figure out how to get them off my phone!
 

GCJP

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I just finished the suspension on my 96 2dr/2wd and though I'd post some thoughts on it:

I completely rebuilt the front and rear suspension - everything is brand new, including the rear leaf springs and shackles. Only the control arms were rebuilt.

I did all the work myself, just to be able to say "I did it myself!" Probably would not do it again. I'm too old and fat to be getting up and down and getting on the floor under a vehicle. I did have some help from a couple of my teenage grandkids, which was awesome that they loved working on a vehicle. I hope I helped start a life long love affair of vehicles like I have had.

I did a 4/4 drop kit from DJM. I used the 2" spindles and 2" springs in the front and axle flip kit in the rear. Its lower than I expected but I still like it, although it doesn't ride as good as I expected. I was hoping to keep a near stock ride.

I used polyurethane bushings. I wanted a tight, slightly stiffer ride, but it's more than I wanted. I would recommend stock, rubber bushings.

I used Cal-Max shocks designed for lowered suspension. I don't care for them and will switch them out. They just seem to be pretty soft. I was told the Belltech Street Suspension shocks are really good and will probably go with them.

The first time I drove it the driveshaft hit the underneath whenever I hit even the slightest bump. I changed the pinion angle some and it helped, but it still hit from time to time. There is a small brace-type box in the transmission tunnel that it was hitting. I cut a 2" notch out of it and solved the problem. A future project will be to fabricate a piece to go in there to give it a finished look.

I put 20 x 9 wheels on it with a +18 offset and 275/40/20 tires. A little less sidewall than I wanted but they fit perfect. It rode like a tank and I wasn't too happy about that. After two weeks I decided to check the air pressure to see if I could lower it some and help the ride. They had 46 lbs in them! I lowered it to 32 lbs and the ride improved tremendously. I now will always check air pressure after getting new tires. Also checked the bolts holding the center caps on and they were all loose! Some almost to the point off coming out and losing the center cap. I hate paying someone to do something and then having to go behind them to make sure it was done right. And this was one of the top tire places in the area.

The exhaust is now hitting the rear end so my next project will be to raise it up an inch or two.

I want to thank everyone for their posts on here. This was easily the best forum with the most information! I also want to apologize for the lengthy post.

I will post pics as soon as I can figure out how to get them off my phone!
I have just started my 1996 yukon 2 door 2wd restoration and i am wondering if you have any pictures of your truck?
thanks
 
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rchurch5945

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It's in the paint shop now but I may be able to find a couple of old ones on my hard drive. I'll see if I can find them and post them. I will definately post some new ones if I ever get it back from the paint shop. It's been there six months and I'm reafy to have it back!
 
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rchurch5945

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Like I said - it's in the paint shop now. I'm having the roof rack removed, all emblems and trim removed, bumpers painted white, new grill painted white. Basically everything is going to be white. It will be painted Pure White. Also installed a cowl hood.
 

19992dr

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I'm about to rebuild the front end on my 99 2dr and was debating polyurethane bushings. I'm planning to replace the springs as well. I am trying to get it back to factory new, just a little stiffer in the ride and steering. Where all did you use polyurethane and would you mind being a little more specific about what you don't like about the polyurethane?20140118_171601.jpg
 

YukonGTmaster

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Nice Truck! I used energy suspension poly bushings on my ‘97 GT at Body Mounts, Sway Bar Links, Upper and Lower Control Arms. Initially it tightened everything up. When they were new, they emitted a loud squeaking noise. It didn’t take long for the upper control arm bushings to eat themselves and wear a flat spot on my new inner front tires. The sway bar links didn’t last either. I am going back to rubber with new components. (You can buy new control arms with rubber bushings installed, cheaper than you can buy replacement poly bushings.) If you do use poly bushings, liberally coat any contact surfaces with the provided lube. More is better.
 

89Suburban

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I'm about to rebuild the front end on my 99 2dr and was debating polyurethane bushings. I'm planning to replace the springs as well. I am trying to get it back to factory new, just a little stiffer in the ride and steering. Where all did you use polyurethane and would you mind being a little more specific about what you don't like about the polyurethane?View attachment 361619
DAMN that's clean!
 
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rchurch5945

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I'm about to rebuild the front end on my 99 2dr and was debating polyurethane bushings. I'm planning to replace the springs as well. I am trying to get it back to factory new, just a little stiffer in the ride and steering. Where all did you use polyurethane and would you mind being a little more specific about what you don't like about the polyurethane?View attachment 361619
The poly bushings made the ride stiffer than I wanted. I used them in the front control arms, sway bar, and rear springs. I would use stock rubber bushings if I did it again. I don't need "sports car" handling and would rather have a comfortable ride.

The poly bushings come with a small tube of lube but I bought a jar of the lube recommended for poly and used the HECK out of it. All over the bushings, the mounts, everywhere I thought would be touching the poly. After probably 3,000 miles I have not had any squeaking or other issues usually associated with poly bushings.

Here are some pictures after it has been painted.
 

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