Belltech VS McGaughys drop kits

[Paint by Scrappy]

Whats up everyone. I got some new 22’s (KMC 704) for the wife’s ‘07 Tahoe. Now she wants to drop it. I’ve been lookin at a 3-4 to 4-5 drop kit for it. I have 285/45/22 on it. I’ve been lookin at the bell tech kits Tony sells but I’ve also been lookin at the McGaughys drop kits. Just wondering if any one could give pros and cons on both kits. Tahoe needs new shocks and struts so lookin at kits with new struts and shocks as well. Thanks for your time guys.

 

[Big Mama]

Both are good. Are you doing the free travel mod? I can attest that Tony is easy to reach for help but McGaughy may be the same. 4-5 is a big drop. Do your homework on that one.

 

[Hi-psi]

I can't really speak of one vs the other as I haven't had both, but I recently put on a McGaughy's 2/3-4 drop and am happy with it. Rides just as good or better than stock.

A couple of things that are different about the McGaughy's drop spindles vs the Belltech:

1. The mounting surface for the upper & lower balljoints are recessed into the spindle. So this reduces or eliminates having to trim the ball joint studs for either wheel or 4wd/awd axle clearance.
2. The top hub mount. On the Belltech, you still have a pass through hole that you re-use the factory bolt for. You just have to insert it before installing the upper ball joint. On the McGaughy's you don't re-use the factory bolt. It comes with a stud and nut you use. Not saying one is better than the other. Just point out the differences I'm aware of.

 

[iamdub]

Whats up everyone. I got some new 22’s (KMC 704) for the wife’s ‘07 Tahoe. Now she wants to drop it. I’ve been lookin at a 3-4 to 4-5 drop kit for it. I have 285/45/22 on it. I’ve been lookin at the bell tech kits Tony sells but I’ve also been lookin at the McGaughys drop kits. Just wondering if any one could give pros and cons on both kits. Tahoe needs new shocks and struts so lookin at kits with new struts and shocks as well. Thanks for your time guys. View attachment 224468

I'm planning pretty much the same drop and have all my main parts. I have the McG spindles. I have nothing against the BT spindles, but chose McG because they're liked by GM. Mine needs new struts and shocks as well, so I went with BT Street Performance adjustable lowering struts for the front and matching SP shocks for the rear. From what I've read, the SP shocks and struts ride just like stock or a little softer. I have 3" McG coils for the rear and some "mystery" coils that I'm guessing will drop it around 5". If it's too soft, I have some Airlift bags I'll add in to firm it up as needed, even when towing.

 

[Paint by Scrappy]

I'm planning pretty much the same drop and have all my main parts. I have the McG spindles. I have nothing against the BT spindles, but chose McG because they're liked by GM. Mine needed new struts and shocks as well, so I went with BT Street Performance adjustable lowering struts for the front and matching SP shocks for the rear. From what I've read, teh SP shocks and struts ride just like stock or a little softer. I have 3" McG coils for the rear and some "mystery" coils that I'm guessing will drop it around 5". If it's too soft, I have some Airlift bags I'll add in to firm it up as needed, even when towing.

Nice thanks for the info. I found a complete McGaughys drop kit with rear shocks and front struts it’s a 3/5 4/5 drop kit.

 

[Paint by Scrappy]

I can't really speak of one vs the other as I haven't had both, but I recently put on a McGaughy's 2/3-4 drop and am happy with it. Rides just as good or better than stock.

A couple of things that are different about the McGaughy's drop spindles vs the Belltech:

1. The mounting surface for the upper & lower balljoints are recessed into the spindle. So this reduces or eliminates having to trim the ball joint studs for either wheel or 4wd/awd axle clearance.
2. The top hub mount. On the Belltech, you still have a pass through hole that you re-use the factory bolt for. You just have to insert it before installing the upper ball joint. On the McGaughy's you don't re-use the factory bolt. It comes with a stud and nut you use. Not saying one is better than the other. Just point out the differences I'm aware of.

Good to know. Thanks for the info. Ill keep that in mind when I make my decision

 

[Paint by Scrappy]

Both are good. Are you doing the free travel mod? I can attest that Tony is easy to reach for help but McGaughy may be the same. 4-5 is a big drop. Do your homework on that one.

I have full access to a fab shop. I can cut and weld what i need to to make it happen. Stupid bump stops. They gotta go. lol.

 

[iamdub]

I have full access to a fab shop. I can cut and weld what i need to to make it happen. Stupid bump stops. They gotta go. lol.

With that drop, all that's needed for clearancing is to remove the bump stops and their brackets from the frame and maybe the fender mod in the front if it rubs (likely will). Oh- you may have to notch the rear cross member if the panhard bracket hits it.

 

[B2sdad]

Love my Beltech 2/4 drop, HATE the Service Suspension Light!

 

[esoteric_ast]

Love my Beltech 2/4 drop, HATE the Service Suspension Light!

Why are you getting that light?

 

[B2sdad]

Why are you getting that light?

Thats what I would like to know?

 

[iamdub]

Thats what I would like to know?

Bottomed out ride height sensors? Pulled the wires unplugged from above the frame rail in the back when it was jacked up and the axle drooped?

 

[B2sdad]

Bottomed out ride height sensors? Pulled the wires unplugged from above the frame rail in the back when it was jacked up and the axle drooped?

Haven't done a tremendous amount of troubleshooting, other than adding resisters to all four corners and pulling the fuse for the compressor in the back. Cleared codes with my code reader, disconnected neg terminal (for 24 hours)to no avail?
I am kind of preoccupied with the Service brakes soon message on the dash, but I am looking for direction on how to identify, repair and kill that annoying error in the dash!

 

[iamdub]

Haven't done a tremendous amount of troubleshooting, other than adding resisters to all four corners and pulling the fuse for the compressor in the back. Cleared codes with my code reader, disconnected neg terminal (for 24 hours)to no avail?
I am kind of preoccupied with the Service brakes soon message on the dash, but I am looking for direction on how to identify, repair and kill that annoying error in the dash!

Check that connector on the top of the frame rail in the back. Check both sides. It's really common for them to get pulled when the suspension is taken apart for lifting or lowering. They often don't get fully unplugged to where the wire is hanging, so it's easily missed.

 

[Big Mama]

Didn’t I read somewhere about a bypass if you get rid of air shocks?

 

[B2sdad]

Check that connector on the top of the frame rail in the back. Check both sides. It's really common for them to get pulled when the suspension is taken apart for lifting or lowering. They often don't get fully unplugged to where the wire is hanging, so it's easily missed.

Yes Sir, I will take a look

 

[iamdub]

Didn’t I read somewhere about a bypass if you get rid of air shocks?

How are we supposed to know what you read?

Just playin. I know what you meant and Albert said he has the resistors. But he also said he has a service brakes warning. I'm betting that either a resistor or it's connection is faulty or that plug connection is loose if it happened right after lowering it.

 

[Paint by Scrappy]

With that drop, all that's needed for clearancing is to remove the bump stops and their brackets from the frame and maybe the fender mod in the front if it rubs (likely will). Oh- you may have to notch the rear cross member if the panhard bracket hits it.

Good to know. What’s this front fender mod that I’ve heard about. I’m curious to what it is. Lol. Looks like I get to do a little nip tuck here and there. Lol. No biggie for me.

 

[iamdub]

Good to know. What’s this front fender mod that I’ve heard about. I’m curious to what it is. Lol. Looks like I get to do a little nip tuck here and there. Lol. No biggie for me.

A little nip/tuck, indeed. Just enough to be fun!

https://norcaltruck.com/2007-5-2013-chevy-gm-large-fender-mod

 

[Paint by Scrappy]

A little nip/tuck, indeed. Just enough to be fun!

https://norcaltruck.com/2007-5-2013-chevy-gm-large-fender-mod

Nice. Haha yea done that before on trucks that me and my buddy bagged. Cutoff wheel and an air hammer makes it quick. We also use to weld and panel bond 1/4 rod in the fender lip then cut the lip off. You could ride low and turn into the fender all day long and not worry bout kinking it. Thanks for info man.