Lowering a 96 Tahoe 4wd

[skyhighsami]

I've had several lowered Tahoes, Suburbans, Yukons, a Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500. But never a 4wd. Right now it's lifted 3" on 32" BFG mud terrians. I have some keys that were on my 04 GMC Yukon XL that I was going to put in this truck, along with a shackle and possibly pull a leaf out to get it 3" lower than a stock 4wd. I have some 18x9.5 Eagle Alloy 219 wheels with 295/40/18s on them now. They measure about 29" tall and tuck. Is there anything I am planning on that I should reconsider? I had a 99 Tahoe a couple years ago lowered with spindles and shackles on a 265/35/22. It was a 2wd and looked good but it was more of a show truck. I am wanting to make this more of a performance oriented truck similar to what Jon Moss would have built for GM back in the 90s. So it will get the drop, good shocks, Energy suspension bushings and upgraded sway bars if available.

 

[TigerEyz3]

Only thing that comes to mind when lowering a 4WD is all of the front end stuff that will limit the amount of lowering you can do and still perform. You've got to be careful of the angles so that your 4WD linkages can still function. If you don't go to far (or you disconnect some stuff), you'll be fine with a 3" drop. Just be prepared for a rougher ride than factory.

 

[skyhighsami]

I am going get shackles on the back with one of the leaf springs pulled out. Then set the front about a 1/2 to 3/4" lower. I have some Eagle Alloy 219s that are 18x9.5 with 295/45/18s. I have had good luck with a Yukon XL on Bilstein HD shocks so I will put them on the front and Gabriel Air Jackers on the back, since I have run them on a lot of trucks. On my Yukon I ran Air Lift helper bags that went in the coil springs. If I change my mind on the air shocks I might try the Air Lift helper bags.

Are the Air lift helper bags for these leaf spring trucks any good?

Also aside from Energy Suspension bushing what other mods are people doing with their lowered 4wd? Sway bars, solid bushings, end links etc? I've had several GMT800 trucks and this is my first 400 in 8 yeara