Peddlers front lowering springs?

[Bull78]

Merry Christmas folks,
I have a 2008 tahoe I’m looking to lower the front. With Pedders 2.33” sport lowering springs. Any of you use them, how’s the ride? I have McGauhys springs to lower the rear 2-3”.
Thanks J-

 

[NathanJax]

2" Belltech spindles will give you the best ride PERIOD. It keeps your suspension stock and just moves the hub up 2"

 

[Bull78]

I’ve considered drop spindles, not a fan of cutting the lower ball joint bolt.

 

[NathanJax]

I’ve considered drop spindles, not a fan of cutting the lower ball joint bolt.

There's NOTHING wrong with cutting the end of the ball joint. All you're doing is cutting off the excess threads. Just like tightening a nut on to a bolt and cutting off the excess bolt. it's done all the time and there's really no reason it needs to be that long in the first place. People cut them all the time...

However, if you don't want to cut it, I would consider 2 things. How old are your current shocks? If you need new shocks now/soon, just get the Bilstien adjustable shocks and use your current springs. If you have new/good shocks, then you just need new drop springs.

I'm not sure how many people have gone with Peddlers, as most people on this forum use Belltech. Maybe someone who has them can chime in.

 

[Bull78]

Thanks Nathan. Don’t you have to use a thinner nut also? Shocks front and rear are about 6 months old.

 

[NathanJax]

Thanks Nathan. Don’t you have to use a thinner nut also? Shocks front and rear are about 6 months old.

The nut comes with the spindle, but yes it's a little thinner. And yeah if you don't do spindles, do springs.

Normally its

Spindles > Struts > Springs


But +90% of people will do spindles even with trimming the ball joint over anything else. It keeps the ride 100% stock.

 

[992dr]

I'm actually using Pedders front coils. Well, I will be. I'm installing them this week.

I have Pedders coils, BT spindles, BT struts, BT alignment bushings, MOOG upper control arms and OE GM lower control arms.
I think the coils are a 2.5" drop. I'm going to add one more shim to the struts to compensate for that 1/2".
I also have BT cam plates but, I'm holding off on them until I get an alignment to make sure everything is in spec with the alignment bushings.

My goal is 4/6 or lower. I also have all new rear set up as well with Tony's 6 rear coils.

I'm looking to keep the firm ride of the PPV but low

Its true though, most use BT. I decided on Pedders because they supposedly provided all Chevy's with there suspension components for there early PPV models. When I first got mine it handled extremely well for such a big brick. Now with 213k miles, its shot and desperately needs a freshening up. I'll update or start a thread as soon as I start. Family is in town now, so I'm looking to start either tomorrow or Thursday.

 

[Bull78]

Thanks Nathan, guess I've got something to think about. 992dr, looking forward to seeing how yours turns out.

 

[juan84]

I'm on beltech 2" spindles only threads I cut was upper ball joint ones ..lower one stays as is and still able to remove bottom ball joint to replace cv axle with no problems

Sent from my SM-G920T using Tapatalk

 

[juan84]

Forgot unless your under 20"u will have to cut bottom bj

Sent from my SM-G920T using Tapatalk

 

[992dr]

Here's the lower with my 17s installed. I'll get a picture from the back side when I head back outside.

 

[Big Mama]

I also have Mcgaughys spindles. They made the most sense. The only reason you cut the bolt is if your spare tire is under 17” which most factory are or if you plan to take it back to original height. I didn’t cut mine but if I have a flat front I have to move a back tire to the front and put the spare on the back. Not messing with any geometry just made more sense to me. Good luck.

Sorry, meant to say the only reason you WOULD cut them if your spare is small but once cut you need to replace the ball joint with the longer bolts.

 

[992dr]

I believe GMT900 smallest wheels are 17s, they don't go any smaller.
If you look at my previous post, you will see how much had to be removed with 17" wheels. You would still have to remove some even with 18" wheels too.



As far as how it handles, honestly I haven't really driven it much. I just got it aligned early this week and its out of spec. I need to replace my uppers with stock arms and then I'll be good.
From driving to and from work, it feels ok. Haven't really thrown it around any corners due to the alignment. An overall feel, it definitely feels better than before. But, I think I'm going to go with a coil-over conversion because I don't think its firm enough for my liking.

 

[Bull78]

Good info, thank y'all. Think, I'm gonna do the springs, gonna have a lot of the front end taken apart already. Replacing bushings!

 

[992dr]

Nice, good choice.
Hmm, did somebody say front end taken apart? All brandy new Well, accept for my tie rods.

 

[Bull78]

Good job 992dr. Have pics of how it's sitting?

 

[992dr]

Thank You
Of course I do

 

[Bull78]

Wow, that looks really good

 

[992dr]

Thanks man, I appreciate it.

 

[Big Mama]

Looks great. What was the overall drop and what size are your tires?