Lowering a Hybrid

[B.G.]

Well, it looks that I am the guinea hoe for all things hybrid ...

Thus the deed is done and I have ordered the 2/3-4 Belltech kit from Norcal SS.
Should be here next Monday, appointment to instal set for Tuesday, pics pending.

Looking fwd to pics man!!! I want to go 3/5 but id like to see how the 2/3-4 turns out

 

[soulsea]

Looking fwd to pics man!!! I want to go 3/5 but id like to see how the 2/3-4 turns out

Mmm, 3/5 might be too much, especially in the front.

Remember HyHoes have the extended skirting/air dam ... we lower that thing too much we're basically gonna be plowing. It sort of defeats the purpose of having a full size SUV only to live in mortal fear of speed bumps.

 

[soulsea]

I need some advice from the experts.

So I'm having the drop kit installed next tuesday and because I don't know how these things work I have a couple of questions:

1. A 2/3-4 kit I assume means that it's a 2 inch drop in front and I can choose a 3 or 4 inch drop in the back ... is that right?

2. I would like to keep a little bit of a 'forward' attitude to the truck, as in I don't want it to be horizontal, I want it to lean forward a tad ... to achieve this should I drop it 3 or 4 inches in the back. Basically what do you guys think will look better?

3. If I am unsure as to the rear drop, is it easier to start at 3 and go to 4 or vice versa, or does it make a difference?

Thanks for any help and/or suggestions.

 

[NORCAL SS]

I need some advice from the experts.

So I'm having the drop kit installed next tuesday and because I don't know how these things work I have a couple of questions:

1. A 2/3-4 kit I assume means that it's a 2 inch drop in front and I can choose a 3 or 4 inch drop in the back ... is that right?

2. I would like to keep a little bit of a 'forward' attitude to the truck, as in I don't want it to be horizontal, I want it to lean forward a tad ... to achieve this should I drop it 3 or 4 inches in the back. Basically what do you guys think will look better?

3. If I am unsure as to the rear drop, is it easier to start at 3 and go to 4 or vice versa, or does it make a difference?

Thanks for any help and/or suggestions.

1) in rear will be 2.5 or 3.5 about. Just dont use the rear spacer and set the autoride links wher eyou need them

2) with the spindles and rear spring and no spacer adn the autoride links set like in the instructions you will be fine

3) just do the rear 4 inch drop spring alone you will be fine its very easy to put the spacer if that is needed.

 

[soulsea]

I have a question ...

How much higher is the back end than the front end on 07+ Tahoes?

Basically what I am trying to find out is if I decided not to touch the front and just drop the rear so the truck is level, how many inches do I drop her in the rear? I'm just having second thoughts about dropping the whole thing and trying to figure out if I can drop the rear end to be the same hight as the stock front.

Thanks.

 

[NORCAL SS]

depends on what springs used. id do the entire kit honestly.

 

[soulsea]

depends on what springs used. id do the entire kit honestly.

Well, presumably with the 3/4 adjustable springs I just got from you.

Would for example a 3 or 4 inch drop in the rear make the back level to the front?

 

[NORCAL SS]

with the 3 inch rear kit it will sit lower in rear than front thats for sure. unless you pump the hell out of the autoride shocks and then ride is horrible

 

[soulsea]

with the 3 inch rear kit it will sit lower in rear than front thats for sure. unless you pump the hell out of the autoride shocks and then ride is horrible

Oh I see ... so if the difference between front and back is less than 3 inches?
Just out of curiosity do you happen to know what the exact difference is?
You can advise me freely btw, I'm not going to return the kit ... I'm just thinking out loud.

 

[NORCAL SS]

not worried about that. there are 3 different springs gm used in the trucks which affect height.

 

[soulsea]

there are 3 different springs gm used in the trucks which affect height.

Any way to know what's on mine?

One last question ... is there such a thing as a 1 inch Belltech spindle for the front, so as to achieve a 1-3 drop instead of a 2-4. That would give me the same 2 inch difference but not drop the front end as much.

 

[NORCAL SS]

i wouldnt really worry about the rear springs you have now.

just go off of what you have now

in front 2 inch spindles will drop you 2 inches and with the spring and now spacer in rear (abotu 3.75 drop on autoride) your truck will sit 1/4 inch higher in rear than front with spindles

 

[KMeloney]

Any way to know what's on mine?

One last question ... is there such a thing as a 1 inch Belltech spindle for the front, so as to achieve a 1-3 drop instead of a 2-4. That would give me the same 2 inch difference but not drop the front end as much.

Soul -- I'm going through this now (with an LTZ, not Hybrid). I've got front coil relocators on the way which will allow me to lower the front in 1/2" increments to 2 inches. I only want to go an inch, and where I hear that the ride is still good. I have the 3/4 springs in the rear, and they ride great with no air in the shocks. With air, it's a bit firm. Like Tony said, it WILL sit too low in the rear with no air in the shocks (with the autoride links shortened).

 

[soulsea]

Well, she's at the shop right now.

Hopefully she will be done by this afternoon. Apparently they want to align her after she's been dropped so she might not be ready for pick up till tomorrow. Although I told them that I'm happy to pick her up this afternoon and get her aligned myself tomorrow.

Anyhoot, I'm rather excited and anxious to see how it all turns out ... pics coming asap.

 

[THE YETI]

Well, she's at the shop right now.

Hopefully she will be done by this afternoon. Apparently they want to align her after she's been dropped so she might not be ready for pick up till tomorrow. Although I told them that I'm happy to pick her up this afternoon and get her aligned myself tomorrow.

Anyhoot, I'm rather excited and anxious to see how it all turns out ... pics coming asap.

Can't wait to see how it comes out.

 

[soulsea]

Damn it ... it looks like it's not gonna be ready till tomorrow.

Oh well, anticipation builds ...

 

[B.G.]

Damn it ... it looks like it's not gonna be ready till tomorrow.

Oh well, anticipation builds ...

x2! Hurry already

 

[soulsea]

Is there something wrong with the space time continuum today?

The clocks, they are moving so slow ...
The time, it is taking forever to pass ...

I'm so tweaked about picking her up that I woke up at 8am ... I didn't even know there was an 8am.

 

[THE YETI]

im beginning to think this is a delayed April Fool's joke...

 

[soulsea]

Ok, first the pics ...

Before:

After:

I'll take better pics a little later on level ground and when the sun comes out.

Now, I need to express a couple of thoughts on this because I don't remember the last time I was this happy and depressed at the same time ... keep in mind I haven't done the alignment yet.

1. Probably because of not being aligned the steering has gone to shit. Every anomaly on the road is pulling the car.

2. There's no way to describe the ride as anything other than donkey. Perhaps my expectations were unrealistic, perhaps it's not a good idea to have these drops on city roads, whatever the case I drove 3 miles and my kidneys are already sore.

3. I have rub in the rear part of the front arches at half lock and sometimes in reverse.

4. The pic above doesn't do the look justice because dropped as she is, she looks absolutely stunning!!!

So I don't know what to do. I'm not going to start cutting up trim to relieve rubbing because I want to be able to sell this truck at some point down the line and I'll have to put it back to stock. And I don't know what to do about the ride situation. But I love the way she is sitting.

Truth is I am more depressed than happy as it seems this kit will have to be taken off so as to save my truck and my back.