Help request with 16" Steel Wheel (Lowering)

[Po-Hoe]

Hi,

New to this forum and looking for a bit of guidance from the experienced members. I just picked up a 2006 Tahoe PPV (Po-Hoe) with 16" steel wheels. Due to my geographic location I will need to be able to (must) run the 16" steel wheels with Blizzaks during the winter. Another issue is that I end up on some unpaved surfaces (gravel & dirt roads) on occasion and don't want to have a lowered suspension setup that will make it ride like a fully loaded lumber wagon. Every vehicle I own or have owned is lowered but never to the point of being useless or unnecessarily abusive on the steering and suspension and I prefer to spend the money and time to do things properly the first time.

What I'd like to do is lower the front end 2" and the rear 4" as to get it leveled out and dropped a bit but not be overly abusive to the suspension and steering. Thus far I've looked at the Belltech #3921 lowering keys for the front end for the 2" drop and the Belltech #34324 kit for the rear. I've done a bit of reading here and it looks like Tony (NorCal) and others suggest the DJM sway bar links. Not sure if I'd need the panhard bar as well.

Due to the 16" steel wheels from what I've read I can't utilize drop spindles which is what I'd really prefer to do for steering geometry and alignment needs. I'll do a control arm swap also if need be.

This site seems to have the best information by experience or trial and error that I've seen and I much appreciate the feedback in advance.

Thank You!

 

[NORCAL SS]

you cannot use the spindles.

trust me on this if you want a nice ride at 2 or more inches dont do keys. Your best option is the djm 3 inch arms (adjustable 2-3 inches) and the belltech sp shocks. Then in rear you can do the belltech 3-4 kit with bumpstop bracket cut off frame and the new endlinks/my bumpstops and the new shorter beltech sp shocks.

If you tow you can add helper bags in rear also for 80 more.

for
A ARMS
FRONT/REAR BELLTECH SP SHOCKS
REAR BELLTECH 5305 COILS
REAR BELLTECH SHOCK EXTENDERS
REAR MY BUMPSTOPS
REAR DJM ENDLINK KIT
900 SHIPPED

that will ride good and cutting off the rear bumpstop bracket is needed to get a nice ride. oh and best of all YOU CAN USE THE 16S

 

[Po-Hoe]

Thank You... will be in touch.

 

[Po-Hoe]

you cannot use the spindles.

trust me on this if you want a nice ride at 2 or more inches dont do keys. Your best option is the djm 3 inch arms (adjustable 2-3 inches) and the belltech sp shocks. Then in rear you can do the belltech 3-4 kit with bumpstop bracket cut off frame and the new endlinks/my bumpstops and the new shorter beltech sp shocks.

If you tow you can add helper bags in rear also for 80 more.

for
A ARMS
FRONT/REAR BELLTECH SP SHOCKS
REAR BELLTECH 5305 COILS
REAR BELLTECH SHOCK EXTENDERS
REAR MY BUMPSTOPS
REAR DJM ENDLINK KIT
900 SHIPPED

that will ride good and cutting off the rear bumpstop bracket is needed to get a nice ride. oh and best of all YOU CAN USE THE 16S

Tony or others?

I'm sold on the arms, front shocks, rear shocks and DJM links but I do have a few quick questions.

#1 When you state the DJM arms are adjustable from 2-3" how does that work? I would think the control arm and ball joints are in a fixed position so please clarify.

#2 If possible I really don't want to cut the bump stop brackets off the frame. (I would down the road if I decide I want to go to a 5" or greater drop) The BT #5305 spring kit already comes with shorter bump stops correct? Can I trim the BT bump stops a bit if need be and still have enough clearance for the 4" rear drop without spacers? Does anyone make a pancake bump stop that fits right in the factory bump stop brackets?

Thanks!

 

[NORCAL SS]

Give me few ill be back to answer all this.

 

[NORCAL SS]

Tony or others?

I'm sold on the arms, front shocks, rear shocks and DJM links but I do have a few quick questions.

#1 When you state the DJM arms are adjustable from 2-3" how does that work? I would think the control arm and ball joints are in a fixed position so please clarify.

#2 If possible I really don't want to cut the bump stop brackets off the frame. (I would down the road if I decide I want to go to a 5" or greater drop) The BT #5305 spring kit already comes with shorter bump stops correct? Can I trim the BT bump stops a bit if need be and still have enough clearance for the 4" rear drop without spacers? Does anyone make a pancake bump stop that fits right in the factory bump stop brackets?

Thanks!

1) doesn matter 2 or 3 inch drop the balljoint angles are fine. Ive been doing these arms on teh 00-06 trucks since late 99 and no issues with 2 or 3

2) you can do the kit at a 3 inch drop with the bumpstop but if you cut to much the axle will slap the frame before the bumpstop can do its job so no you cannot run pancake ones. 4 inch drop you need to cut the bracket for sure unless you dont mind bouncing around.

 

[Po-Hoe]

I guess I didn't understand this comment on your part. Is the 1" of adjustment in the arms or by adjusting the torsion bars/key up to 2"?

Your best option is the djm 3 inch arms (adjustable 2-3 inches)

http://www.belltech.com/products/pro-coil-spring-set-19.html
The Belltech kit #34324 consists of two springs, shock extensions, spacers and shorter bump stops and is advertised as such "00-06 (with out factory premium ride) 3" or 4" Drop". This is why I am under the assumption I wouldn't have to cut off the brackets as long as I use the BT bump stops provided in their kit for 4".

spring installation pdf
http://www.belltech.com/extras/docs/BBGC/34324.pdf

 

[NORCAL SS]

Arms do 2-3 inches from where you put the drop key bolt.

Dont trust the guide. I install these kits a lot. You do 4 inches you will need my rear bumpstops and swaybar link kit and cut the brackets off. But if you dont care about riding on bumpstops and hopping all over then feel free to install that kit. Im just trying to save you time and have a good ride.

 

[Po-Hoe]

Arms do 2-3 inches from where you put the drop key bolt.

Dont trust the guide. I install these kits a lot. You do 4 inches you will need my rear bumpstops and swaybar link kit and cut the brackets off. But if you dont care about riding on bumpstops and hopping all over then feel free to install that kit. Im just trying to save you time and have a good ride.

Thanks Tony... I appreciate the continuous feedback and you can plan on hearing from me this week.

Has anyone gone to the trouble to inform BT that if a customer installs their kit at the 4" level they'll be literally riding on the bump stops?

 

[NORCAL SS]

Call roel extension 120 he will say talk to tony. Belltech tries to help by doing shorter bumpstops but installing these kits you learn a lot. No one says anything about bracket cept djm.