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Old 01-14-2010, 04:53 AM   #1
vroomy
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Lowering advice needed!

hi guys, i have an 89 Silverado short wheelbase and i want to lower it more. I bought a DJM 2/4 drop and its still way high! i want to go down another 2-3 inches allround the front just needs shorter springs which is easy, its the back i get stuck on. If i do a flip kit it will be too low yeah? cos of the shackles and hangers. Whats the best way of getting another 3" out of it and still be able to take my Quadracer motorbike in the back without bottoming out? i thought of notching the chassis and take out the helper spring and reset the leafs but will that make it useless for carrying anything in the back? any info would be great
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Old 01-14-2010, 05:19 AM   #2
Slow Build
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Re: Lowering advice needed!

I had the same problem. Actually I have the same problem just about every time I buy a lowered truck. On my 89 I picked up some stock hangers and shackles at a dismantler to replace the lowered units. Then I put a flip kit and C-notch on it. But when it was installed the rear end was alot lower than the front (2" drop spindles and 2" drop springs) so I also installed helper springs that raised the rear about 1.5". Later I put air bags on it so I could haul the boat and all the toys on camping trips. It would ride a little harsh for my taste until I got a hard bed cover that added about 200 lbs to the back. Drove it like that for about 150,000 miles. Loved that truck.
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Old 01-14-2010, 07:38 AM   #3
lolife99
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Re: Lowering advice needed!

I agree,... replace the hangers with your stock ones. Then add a flip kit.
A 4/6 drop is perfect for daily driving.
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Old 01-14-2010, 04:39 PM   #4
vroomy
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Re: Lowering advice needed!

problem is the stock hangers got a little damaged when we were grinding the original rivets out that mounted them, just replacing the shackles at the back with the original ones wont lift it enough will it? what i mean is with the hangers on the front and a flip kit it will sit too low hey?
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Old 01-14-2010, 06:08 PM   #5
JWall
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Re: Lowering advice needed!

If you leave the drop hangers on the truck and do a flip kit you will be @ an 8" drop.
Which if you go that low the bolt in notch will not be enough.
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Old 01-14-2010, 07:10 PM   #6
67cheby
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Re: Lowering advice needed!

once you start lowering it is never enough be careful its an addiction, my truck would prob be done if i hadnt switched the suspension for the 3rd time now !!
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Old 01-14-2010, 10:10 PM   #7
N2TRUX
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Re: Lowering advice needed!

vroomy- Welcome to the forum. Normally I would suggest picking a set of stock hangers up from your local suspension shop. They usually have a few laying around.

Considering your location, that might not be an option.

It's been a while since I have been under an 88-98 truck. Can you move the lowering hangers down on the frame and drill new holes?

Something else to consider if you try to do a flip with stock shackles and leave the lowering hanger in place. It will probably give you too much pinion angle.
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Old 01-14-2010, 11:18 PM   #8
vroomy
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Re: Lowering advice needed!

any of you guys ever had your leaf springs reset to drop an inch or 2? this would be the cheapest way for me but what will the ride be like?
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Old 01-15-2010, 03:51 AM   #9
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Re: Lowering advice needed!

You might be able to de-arch the rear springs. You could run into a little problem because the leaf spring will probably hit the bed crossbeam forward of the rear shackles.

If you do change the front hangers remember there is parking brake hanger on the side of the drivers side hanger you will need to retain.
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1959 GMC short stepside
1968 GMC short stepside-4x4
1973 Chevy short stepside
1989 Chevy short fleetside-reg cab
1993 Chevy short fleetside-Xcab
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