Lowering a Hybrid

[soulsea]

- On the autoride topic ...

The 2010 LTZ specs page it says autoride ... on the 2010 Hybrid specs page it says the suspension is "Premium Smooth Ride suspension." The specs for the 09 and 10 are the same and I assume if the Hybrid had autoride it would say so.

- I am not bottoming out, at least not so far. It's just that the ride is incredibly stiff. Could that be attributed to not being aligned?

 

[THE YETI]

Tony.. just out of curiosity, could his back end be riding bad because of the weight of the hybrid system? I don't know shit about Hybrids, but I thought they have batteries in back, maybe they are heavier back ends than our usual tahoes? Just brainstorming...

---------- Post added at 06:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:33 PM ----------

- On the autoride topic ...

The 2010 LTZ specs page it says autoride ... on the 2010 Hybrid specs page it says the suspension is "Premium Smooth Ride suspension." The specs for the 09 and 10 are the same and I assume if the Hybrid had autoride it would say so.

- I am not bottoming out, at least not so far. It's just that the ride is incredibly stiff. Could that be attributed to not being aligned?

Check if your rear axle is sitting on or close to the bumpstop in back? If it is, it needs to be trimmed way down to allow more axle travel. i'll let Tony confirm that...

 

[soulsea]

Btw, I just wanted to note that this isn't Tony's doing or fault, his kits are proven to work and as is evident, he stands behind his sales.

Not many peeps are doing what I'm trying to do on a hybrid so this is a learning curve for all of us. A learning curve on my dime but valuable lessons are being learned as we speak that may benefit me, Tony, and any other potential mod-head who may want to undertake this on this model.

 

[THE YETI]

Of course this isn't Tony's fault! If anything, he's the solution to the problem! I'm sure he'll chime back and make all this go away!

 

[NORCAL SS]

Ive lowered hyprids so nothing new but somethings up and lets try to figure this out.

little background on the kit you have in rear.

5305 (spring in there now) is the 5 inch rear coils from the earlier 00-06 tahoes. in 07 belltech set the 5305 on the subuarbans and yukon xls. The spring rate hands down is better on the 5305 than the ligher duty 23323 kit (which they have listed for the non autoride trucks) I dont even use the 23323 since the 5305 is better.

Soulsea can you do me a favor measure from ground to fenderlip on your truck all around as it sits right now on 295 35 24 tires.

 

[sumo]

1st off, That Looks Amazing. As far as alignment. the Tie rods had to be removed to install spindles. Anytime this is disturbed, Alignment is a must. Its not going to feel better until you do. My ride quality isnt bad. But im not rolling on 24 either. Im on 17s and hopefully by next weekend, it will be 22. Hopefully the shop Installed the supplied 1 inch spacers as without them, probally would make the rear sit too low. Also hopefully they also installed the supplied bump stops.

 

[soulsea]

Soulsea can you do me a favor measure from ground to fenderlip on your truck all around as it sits right now on 295 35 24 tires.

Sure ... it's 34" on both rears and 33.5" on both fronts.

 

[NORCAL SS]

Sure ... it's 34" on both rears and 33.5" on both fronts.

no prob

Can you see how much space you have between the bumpstops and when it hits on the axle pad?

also honestly the rear came down a nice amount im sure stock shocks are not up to their task causing rear to not ride great and sloppy. Lets see how much space you have between the bumpstops and when it touches the pads then we can go to the next step.

i know for the smooth ride suspension valving is great for stock height when you lower its not the best at all.

 

[soulsea]

Mmm, you are now crossing into territory that I am unfamiliar with as my mechanical knowledge and vernacular are limited at best.

What do bump stops look like, what is an axle pad, and where do I go to measure?

Ugh, I feel like an ass but I honestly don't know these things.
(btw, I have to do it in the morning cause it's night here)

 

[NORCAL SS]

ok in rear there are new bumpstops they give with the kit they look like the circle orange things here

now those things are above the rear axle on the frame. now i need to know the space from the bottom of them until it hits the bumpstop pad right below them which is on the rear axle

on the frame looks like this

If they used the stock ones it will just ride on them or if they are close to the pads now you can cut off some of the yellow lower part and will give you more clearance. Just need to know how much space we have to work with.