Mike's 2013 Tahoe Build

[mjenk430]

Installing now, should I use the shock extenders that came with the belltech springs or the shock extender that came with the DJM hardware kit?

 

[Blazed]

Installing now, should I use the shock extenders that came with the belltech springs or the shock extender that came with the DJM hardware kit?

If you're installing the hardware kit you cannot use the belltech extenders.
But I've been told as other people have too that you do not need the extenders with the shorter belltech shocks

 

[mjenk430]

Ok thanks, I'll go with the extender from the hardware kit. Keeping stock air ride shocks, just changing to belltech springs.

 

[Blazed]

Oh ok sorry I was uninformed.
So you're right you need the extenders. But most likely in a few days you'll need to modify them. Because they'll come loose and you'll lose the little metal piece that holds them down will be gone.
Make sure to secure them really good hopefully you'll be get lucky.

 

[Goodinblack]

LocTite perhaps.....

From my Walkie Talkie

 

[Blazed]

LocTite perhaps.....

From my Walkie Talkie

No lee listen to how stupid this is.
The extenders go on. Then a plate goes on top and the plate is threaded.
So the bolt goes up threw the extender and stock shock mount and screws into the plate. Mine came out within two days.

 

[Goodinblack]

Hmm.... I see.

More parts = more issues.

From my Walkie Talkie

 

[NORCAL SS]

Mike i have them on my truck and I think im the hardest with mine. I have no issues even this long of drag racing/towing/street racing and did road coarse set ups at the good guys shows out here. If any issues do arise just hit me up I can shoot you out a new part. Also out of all the kits ive sold and installed on here the extenders breaking after a few days like happened to blazed is rare but stuff can break To date I have yet to have anyone call me for a extender breaking like did on blazed truck (sorry blazed but I think yours broke if im not mistaken) if you want you can add a longer bolt that goes the the extender with nylock nut and set to roll. I have yet have mine back out on me though but i use red locktite on the rear suspension when I do mine and local customers.

Also like we spoke about do the grade 8 bolts if you can.

BTW had a customer with the edelbrock lower a arms call me today that the bolts came out he installed them few weeks ago. Edelbrock even states to check the lower a arm bolts periodically as #7 on install instructions which he just didnt recheck after 50 miles.

http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_new/misc/tech_center/install/5000/5260.pdf


Usually I have customers come back to me at 100 miles for me to go over everything and then tell them if they have time again at 500. Been pretty good that way and if you have any issues im always around just text me or call will be quicker on the reply lol Ill be by my phone all day so if you need anything just hollar. I'm dealing with a spohn cluster **** right now first ive ever seen on a guys 500 rwhp tahoe so seeing how to fix it.

 

[mjenk430]

Got everything installed.

Here's some pics.

A work in progress shot at my buddy's shop. It's a real mess in there, but he has a lift, so...



A shot with it finished pulled up to the pump. Looks a little high in the rear but I think it was the way the asphalt was sloped at the front of the truck.



And back in my nice neat garage (but no lift). Looking a little more level.




Here are the measurements:

Stock
LF: 36 1/8" FR: 36 1/2"
LR: 37 3/4" RR: 37 7/8"

Lowered
LF: 34 1/8" FR: 34 1/2"
LR: 35 3/8" RR: 35 1/2"

So... Front dropped 2" and rear dropped 2 3/8".

I was hoping for about another 1" of drop in the rear. Maybe it will settle in. Or maybe I need to shorten the air ride links, I set them at 3" like the instructions said, but the ride feels a little stiff.

Still need to do the free travel mod, just used the shorter bell tech bumpstop for now. But there is only about an inch of clearance to the bumpstop and I did feel it bottom out a couple times on the ride home, so I definitely need to do the mod. I took one look at that loooonnnng weld when I took the wheels off and decided to save that job for another day.

I had some concern when we installed the rear sway bar. With the truck up in the air, the sway bar was touching the rubber boot of the airshock. I contacted Tony and he insured me it would't be an issue with the truck in the ground. I crawled under it with the truck on the ground and I can just get a finger between the shock and sway bar. Is this going to be an issue as the suspension articulates up?

Here's a not so good pic. There is good clearance at the white shock body, but not much where the rubber boot bulges out from the shock.



The two short bolts that attach at the top of the DJM trailing arm bracket felt a little small in diameter for the holes, so I used the larger longer bolts with the sleeve that came with the Belltech shock extenders that I wasn't going to be using anyways. They fit perfect.

Regarding the comment about the rectangle plate that holds the bottom bolt: I don't really see the issue. It's basically just a large rectangular nut. Granted it's not a lock nut, but that's what loctite is for.

I had a few questions throughout the build, PM'ed Tony, and he was on it right away. Can't ask for more than that from a vendor.

Speaking of vendors, I hope my ebay wheels and tires come in this week!!

 

[NORCAL SS]

Got everything installed.

Here's some pics.

A work in progress shot at my buddy's shop. It's a real mess in there, but he has a lift, so...



A shot with it finished pulled up to the pump. Looks a little high in the rear but I think it was the way the asphalt was sloped at the front of the truck.



And back in my nice neat garage (but no lift). Looking a little more level.




Here are the measurements:

Stock
LF: 36 1/8" FR: 36 1/2"
LR: 37 3/4" RR: 37 7/8"

Lowered
LF: 34 1/8" FR: 34 1/2"
LR: 35 3/8" RR: 35 1/2"

So... Front dropped 2" and rear dropped 2 3/8".

I was hoping for about another 1" of drop in the rear. Maybe it will settle in. Or maybe I need to shorten the air ride links, I set them at 3" like the instructions said, but the ride feels a little stiff.

Still need to do the free travel mod, just used the shorter bell tech bumpstop for now. But there is only about an inch of clearance to the bumpstop and I did feel it bottom out a couple times on the ride home, so I definitely need to do the mod. I took one look at that loooonnnng weld when I took the wheels off and decided to save that job for another day.

I had some concern when we installed the rear sway bar. With the truck up in the air, the sway bar was touching the rubber boot of the airshock. I contacted Tony and he insured me it would't be an issue with the truck in the ground. I crawled under it with the truck on the ground and I can just get a finger between the shock and sway bar. Is this going to be an issue as the suspension articulates up?

Here's a not so good pic. There is good clearance at the white shock body, but not much where the rubber boot bulges out from the shock.



The two short bolts that attach at the top of the DJM trailing arm bracket felt a little small in diameter for the holes, so I used the larger longer bolts with the sleeve that came with the Belltech shock extenders that I wasn't going to be using anyways. They fit perfect.

Regarding the comment about the rectangle plate that holds the bottom bolt: I don't really see the issue. It's basically just a large rectangular nut. Granted it's not a lock nut, but that's what loctite is for.

I had a few questions throughout the build, PM'ed Tony, and he was on it right away. Can't ask for more than that from a vendor.

Speaking of vendors, I hope my ebay wheels and tires come in this week!!

my truck is sloped all the time in our driveway it will not touch. Ive had the same kit in my truck since march and no rubbing your good to go and literally my tire is in the fenderwell on pass side and drivers side is like way high and no rubbing way my driveway slopes. Also i used zip ties on drivers side e brake cable so would stay down low.

Cut the bumpstop bracket off and put in the short bumpstop on the axle i sent will be good as next mod.

Sidenote do me a favor when you have a chance. Pull the rear upper electrical clip on the truck and then take it for a ride tell me what you think. Ive been playing with mine for a while and want to get more feedback.

Oh for the rear links you can shorten them down. You can fully thread the new links if you want or get a machien schrew think was 10-24 and cut to about 2.5 inches and then put the caps back on truck should come down more.

My truck sat at 34 7/8 front and 35.5 when i first lowered but on 305 35 24