Decision Time Pros/Cons

[M Hankel]

So I've decided to go with the 3/5 drop on the 2000 NBS Tahoe. I picked up the Bell Tech 5305 springs from Alex for the rear drop. Now I need to decide how to drop the front, and that is what I'm having a hard time with.

1. BT 2" drop spindles with 1" keys (around $350?)

or

2. 3" DJM arms with new shocks (around $460?)

I'm assuming I can still use my stock shocks with the spindles since it's just moving the wheel/hub location further upward, where as the a-arms actually move the entire suspension upward (chassis down), and in turn limiting suspension travel and requiring different shocks. Is my logic correct here?

I like the idea of the BT spindles because I might not need to change the shocks right away, plus having a good ride. But then if I decide to go lower (later on) I don't really want to go with 2" keys so I'd be limited on what I can do. On the other hand, the 3" drop arms would still allow a 1" key later on if I want to drop it a bit more.

This is truly driving me crazy.....

Mike

 

[JayXSP]

Tony (NorcalSS) should chime in soon.

The A-arms give a better ride than spindles/keys. And you don't loose turning radius. Plus with some spindles you have to run a minimum of a 17" wheel (wasn't an option for me because my stock 16" are going to be used for winter...That's why I went with his kit. Make sure you get the rear hardware kit as well, otherwise the rear won't come down to where it should and it'll ride rough. Also look into doing the free travel mod ( cut the rear bumpstop bracket off completely otherwise you'll bottom out like crazy)

Fwiw...the 3/5.5 kit tony sells rides better than factory. It's really amazing how the quality and comfort of the ride has gone up, especially for being so low.

 

[NORCAL SS]

jay thanks for helping me on that one. for 3 inches by far the djm kit is the way to go. as stated you wont lose turning radius and you can run 16 inch wheels.

 

[M Hankel]

That is great information guys, thanks for sharing that. I've read and searched for hours on here and don't remember seeing that turning radius issue with the BT spindles. Looks like an easy choice then.

Do the DJM a-arms require the uppers if I end up going lower than 3"? What are the offset bushings I keep reading about? Do those get pressed into the upper a-arms? Do I need them with the standard DJM 3" drop lower a-arms?

Sorry for all the ??'s....

Mike

 

[NORCAL SS]

the djm uppers will give 3 inches if you want to go lower you should look into the offset bushings spindles and keys.

for 3 inch drop uppers are not needed unless your stock uppers are shot or balljoints are bad.

 

[TheSuspensionSource]

I would recommend the spindles and keys over the arms. The arms are a PITA to align as well as replacement of bushings/balljoints.

I am an authorized dealer of Belltech if you would like a quote.

 

[NORCAL SS]

I would recommend the spindles and keys over the arms. The arms are a PITA to align as well as replacement of bushings/balljoints.

I am an authorized dealer of Belltech if you would like a quote.

People have been doing my custom kit 3/5 plus no issues kris with alignment kris. Ive been selling the same kit for over 13 years now no issues. For 2 inches belltech is what i sell people on here and its great no doubt about that as you can see the feedback in the sections.

For more than 2 the djm 3 inch kit with shocks rides better then keys and spindles/aligns without buying camber bushings and also you dont lose turning radius.

Ive installed numerous kits also and posted pics up here along with other members. As far as bushings as instructions say 35-40 lbs max on them if you torque to stock specs you kill the poly bushing as with any install.

I've been using both belltech and djm items on the 00 up trucks since late 99 so after 13 years I think i got it down pretty good lol, hell on my own escalade I used the belltech kit and its great!!


plain and simple

2 inches- belltech spindles

3 inches- djm lower a arms with djm shocks or I offer the belltech street performance shocks


After about 30 trucks where people complained about the keys/spindles ride i swapped it out for the djm 3 inch arms/shocks and ride was much better along with turning radius gained back. Also djm arms you can use 16 inch wheels.

Sidenote on my ultimate cornering package 00-06 trucks it replaces both upper/lower a arms so people can start fresh and for those trucks people love the set up I put together.

 

[M Hankel]

I would recommend the spindles and keys over the arms. The arms are a PITA to align as well as replacement of bushings/balljoints.

I am an authorized dealer of Belltech if you would like a quote.

Thanks, but I think I've decided on the DJM arms. I would like to use my stock 16" wheels for snow tires during our trips to Montana over the holidays. Looks like the spindles require 17" or larger wheels so they're really not an option for me.

Mike

 

[NORCAL SS]

Thanks, but I think I've decided on the DJM arms. I would like to use my stock 16" wheels for snow tires during our trips to Montana over the holidays. Looks like the spindles require 17" or larger wheels so they're really not an option for me.

Mike

so you know with the djm a arms you can crank keys to make it a 2 inch drop also. some of my customers do the arms at 2 inch since later they might go lower

 

[M Hankel]

so you know with the djm a arms you can crank keys to make it a 2 inch drop also. some of my customers do the arms at 2 inch since later they might go lower

Thats good to know I can raise it back up a bit if needed. But in all honesty, I'll probably end up going lower than 3".

I'll be in touch with you in the next couple weeks. Probably gonna order some parts a little at a time. I'm a paycheck-to-paycheck modder lol...

Mike