Lowering a Hybrid

[NORCAL SS]

nope no boxing needed

 

[07Burb]

No reason to do this. The bracket isn't structurally integral to the frame.

Oh, ok. I was envisioning something different. So there's no cutting into the actual frame for this then


...Carry on, carry on

 

[soulsea]

With that ride height (but not knowing your tire height), I bet the crappy ride is due to the rear bumpstops, as in they need to go away. Actually, that's not quite true. You should cut the entire bracket off the frame rails as shown elsewhere on this forum.

Hi cendres, thanks for chiming in ... for the record my tires are 295/35/24.

As far as what you and others are suggesting to do I am afraid that I am not going to do that. I was under a simple impression, that I buy this kit, have it installed, and go on about my business with a lowered truck that is comfortable to drive and I can easily revert back to stock when it is time to sell.

This is my dd car and as much as I love the lowered look I am not going to keep modifying the truck haphazardly and ad infinitum until we stumble onto a solution. I'm about to get her aligned, I will have them measure the gap Tony asked me to measure to see if there is an installation issue.

If the solution is something as simple as changing shocks, adding bags to the springs, or something equally simple then I am happy to consider it, if not the kit is coming off and I'll chalk it up to an expensive experience and lesson learned.

Guys, it's not that I don't appreciate the help, I really really do, but I'm not cutting up the truck no matter how minor a cut it is.

 

[NORCAL SS]

ive put this kit in with no problems and you can cut the rear bumpstops more if needed. not the bracket but the rubber stops.

These springs ride great in rear and honestly would take 10 minutes of your time if you do indeed need to cut the bracket off.

Lets see how much space you have with rear bumpstops then we can go from there. And your making it seem like your truck is the first. Ive lowered they hybrids and many other tahoes like yours and we are not looking for a magic solution. All the solutions have been tested many times WITHOUT issues but we need to start from the bumpstop and then go from there.

no matter what rear belltech shocks help the ride also.

 

[THE YETI]

Amen to what Tony said, Serge. You DONT need to cut the metal on the truck, just cut down the rubber on the bump stops. You could do this with a flippin' fishing knife if you wanted to! LOL! And it'll all go back to stock when you are done!

 

[cendres]

Hi cendres, thanks for chiming in ... for the record my tires are 295/35/24.

As far as what you and others are suggesting to do I am afraid that I am not going to do that. I was under a simple impression, that I buy this kit, have it installed, and go on about my business with a lowered truck that is comfortable to drive and I can easily revert back to stock when it is time to sell.

This is my dd car and as much as I love the lowered look I am not going to keep modifying the truck haphazardly and ad infinitum until we stumble onto a solution. I'm about to get her aligned, I will have them measure the gap Tony asked me to measure to see if there is an installation issue.

If the solution is something as simple as changing shocks, adding bags to the springs, or something equally simple then I am happy to consider it, if not the kit is coming off and I'll chalk it up to an expensive experience and lesson learned.

Guys, it's not that I don't appreciate the help, I really really do, but I'm not cutting up the truck no matter how minor a cut it is.

Don't be so quick to give up on it. Modifying vehicles is rarely as straightforward as it seems. The process suggested to you is not as haphazard as it may seem. You have to be willing to experiment a bit to get desired results. Your truck looks fantastic. You're so close to having what you want that it would be a shame to revert to stock.

Take a look at those bump stop bumpers as Tony suggested. Perhaps it is even a simpler solution than I mentioned. Trimming the bumpers with a hacksaw or even a bread knife (don't let the missus catch you) is definitely a better first step. If you can change a flat tire, you can do this. Super easy and absolutely reversible.

Hell, I have a pair of trimmed bumpers I'll donate to the cause... That way you can just swap the stockers back at trade-in/sale time.

 

[B.G.]

I say hang in there Soulsea.. Everything mentioned doesnt seem too extreme. And like the others have mentioned, I have never modified a car and it been an easy road. But the end result is so rewarding and you will have a hybrid Tahoe like no other! So stick with it man and everyone on here tries to help resolve this issue brotha!

 

[soulsea]

Guys I'm not giving up ... I did say: "If the solution is something simple ... I am happy to consider it"

Anyhoot, it seems that nothing can be easy with these mods. I just went to five tire places to get the alignment and none of them have the equipment to align 24s. Finally found one place that can but the soonest it can be done is tomorrow 1pm. So all is on hold till then.

One bit of good news is that the truck seems to have settled in a way that the front tires don't rub anymore. I guess I'll keep dieting.

 

[cendres]

If I were you, I'd put the stockers back on for the alignment anyway. Why tempt fate?

 

[soulsea]

Mmm, I'm not sure I understand ... how would I be tempting fate by aligning on 24s?
Isn't it better to get aligned with the rims/tires I plan to use?