Official 00-06 Tahoe/Yukon/Escalade drop guide with pics...

[BADRIDES]

04 Yukon 2wd
-Stock keys, passeneger taken completely out. Drivers only cranked 4 turns to even out measurements.

-Belltech 3-4" rear spring kit with bumpstops, shock relocators and cups. Need to trim the bumpstops or do the free travel mod cuz I only have ~1/2" of travel right now.

-Belltech SP shocks all around

-Belltech sway bars front and rear

-GMC Denali 22s with 285/45/22 Toyos

I like it

 

[tooeasy]

My Tahoe lowering project...



Before: LF 34-3/4", RF 35-1/4", LR 37-3/16", RR 37-3/4"


After: LF 32", RF 32-1/4", LR 32-1/2", RR 32-3/4"




My driveway is sloped, here it is on more level ground.

Advertised drop: 3/5”
Actual drop:
LF: 2-3/4”
RF: 3”
LR: 4-11/16”
RR: 5”

The DJM LCAs only dropped the truck approximately 1-3/4” to 2” instead of the 3” advertised. From their website:
“Designed for a 3″ drop with the factory load settings in your torsion bars for a factory ride and factory alignment!”(Italics are mine.)

Unfortunately, it was necessary to decrank the torsion bar bolts considerably to even get close to the advertised drop. After careful alignment I was finally able to realize a 3” drop on the right front, but only 2 3/4” on the left front.

In addition, since my bolts are now de-cranked - nearly to the limit on the right side – I've lost any ability to “fine tune” or level the front of my truck side-to-side.

Silly me, I expected to get what I paid for – a 3” drop with the factory torsion bar settings. Needless to say I'm quite disappointed. I called DJM's tech line, the person I talked to asked me to send pics and details, which I did, it's been 10 days, but still no reply from anyone at DJM.

In no DJM documentation or any seller's advertising is there any mention of “up to 3” drop” or “2-3” drop” or “your actual drop may vary” or anything of the sort.

I have also not heard of any other users with this problem, apart from one post on TYF whose truck, like mine, didn't drop at all until he drove it – a step that is not mentioned in the included instructions but should be.

It's not the fault of this particular truck: it has it's stock, original base suspension (“softest” torsion bars available), and has never been wrecked or modified in any way. There's really no wrong way to install these parts. And unlike coil springs, the torsion bars won't “settle” after a time, so what I have is all I'll get.

I'd like to know if anyone else has had a similar experience with these LCAs.

On the plus side, there was no problem in aligning the truck to factory specs, and it goes down the road just as it should. The front end is a bit softer now than I'd like because of the de-crank. The 5” coils in the rear are quite firm, but not objectionably harsh. They are not jarring or bouncy, but I happen to like a firm ride, some may find them a bit stiff. The best part is the improved handling, it drives more like a large sedan, and I don't have to “tiptoe” around corners. I'm satisfied with the way the truck rides and handles, but if the LCAs had delivered the drop they advertised I'd be ecstatic.

By careful shopping and use of promotions and reward points I was able to put this kit together for a total of $772.

Parts List:
DJM DJMCA2001L3P 3” Lowering Control Arm
DJM DJMCA2001L3D 3” Lowering Control Arm
DJM CS2000R-5 5” Drop Coil Spring
DJM RK2000 Rear Hardware Kit (Trailing arm relocators, sway bar end links)
DJM SE2000 Rear Shock Extenders
Belltech 10103B Street Performance Front Shocks
Belltech 2410FF Street Performance Rear Shocks
McGaughy's 33038 Bump Stops

Free travel mod (factory bump stop bracket removal) is required.

 

[kwOH]

My Tahoe lowering project...

View attachment 82515

Before: LF 34-3/4", RF 35-1/4", LR 37-3/16", RR 37-3/4"

View attachment 82518
After: LF 32", RF 32-1/4", LR 32-1/2", RR 32-3/4"

View attachment 82519

View attachment 82520
My driveway is sloped, here it is on more level ground.

Advertised drop: 3/5”
Actual drop:
LF: 2-3/4”
RF: 3”
LR: 4-11/16”
RR: 5”

The DJM LCAs only dropped the truck approximately 1-3/4” to 2” instead of the 3” advertised. From their website:
“Designed for a 3″ drop with the factory load settings in your torsion bars for a factory ride and factory alignment!”(Italics are mine.)

Unfortunately, it was necessary to decrank the torsion bar bolts considerably to even get close to the advertised drop. After careful alignment I was finally able to realize a 3” drop on the right front, but only 2 3/4” on the left front.

In addition, since my bolts are now de-cranked - nearly to the limit on the right side – I've lost any ability to “fine tune” or level the front of my truck side-to-side.

Silly me, I expected to get what I paid for – a 3” drop with the factory torsion bar settings. Needless to say I'm quite disappointed. I called DJM's tech line, the person I talked to asked me to send pics and details, which I did, it's been 10 days, but still no reply from anyone at DJM.

In no DJM documentation or any seller's advertising is there any mention of “up to 3” drop” or “2-3” drop” or “your actual drop may vary” or anything of the sort.

I have also not heard of any other users with this problem, apart from one post on TYF whose truck, like mine, didn't drop at all until he drove it – a step that is not mentioned in the included instructions but should be.

It's not the fault of this particular truck: it has it's stock, original base suspension (“softest” torsion bars available), and has never been wrecked or modified in any way. There's really no wrong way to install these parts. And unlike coil springs, the torsion bars won't “settle” after a time, so what I have is all I'll get.

I'd like to know if anyone else has had a similar experience with these LCAs.

On the plus side, there was no problem in aligning the truck to factory specs, and it goes down the road just as it should. The front end is a bit softer now than I'd like because of the de-crank. The 5” coils in the rear are quite firm, but not objectionably harsh. They are not jarring or bouncy, but I happen to like a firm ride, some may find them a bit stiff. The best part is the improved handling, it drives more like a large sedan, and I don't have to “tiptoe” around corners. I'm satisfied with the way the truck rides and handles, but if the LCAs had delivered the drop they advertised I'd be ecstatic.

By careful shopping and use of promotions and reward points I was able to put this kit together for a total of $772.

Parts List:
DJM DJMCA2001L3P 3” Lowering Control Arm
DJM DJMCA2001L3D 3” Lowering Control Arm
DJM CS2000R-5 5” Drop Coil Spring
DJM RK2000 Rear Hardware Kit (Trailing arm relocators, sway bar end links)
DJM SE2000 Rear Shock Extenders
Belltech 10103B Street Performance Front Shocks
Belltech 2410FF Street Performance Rear Shocks
McGaughy's 33038 Bump Stops

Free travel mod (factory bump stop bracket removal) is required.

[emoji106][emoji106]


Sent from iPhone 7 plus using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Tonyrodz]

Imo, looks wise, it looks great. You're right around where I'm at. I did a 2"/4" drop. I did the fronts with lowering keys and rears with springs and shock relocation brackets.

 

[BADRIDES]

My Tahoe lowering project...

View attachment 82515

Before: LF 34-3/4", RF 35-1/4", LR 37-3/16", RR 37-3/4"

View attachment 82518
After: LF 32", RF 32-1/4", LR 32-1/2", RR 32-3/4"

View attachment 82519

View attachment 82520

Looks good and you all you need is a set of wheels and you ready to ride.

 

[BADRIDES]

2005 Tahoe LS 2wd

22x9 et31 replicas

275/45 22 Hankook Ventus ST

NORCALSS custom 3/5-6 drop + extras

Ground to fender averages 32.25". Got a touch of chevy lean by .25". A tweak of the key might fix all that. Im almost positive im going down to 265/40 22 for the next set of tires. I need to do a little plastic trimming in the rear.

Front
DJM 3" drop LCAs
DJM UCAs
Belltech SP shocks.

Rear
Norcalss 6" spring
DJM trailing arm relocators
DJM shock extenders
DJM sway bar links
Belltech SP shocks
Spohn adjustable lower arms (delsphere joints)
Spohn adjustable upper arms (delsphere joints)
Spohn adjustable panhard bar
Free travel mod
Norcalss' rear bumpstops



Updated pics as of 2/11/15

Any particular reason why you went 275-45-22 over 285-45-22 tires?

 

[PR RAY]

Hey TYF guys. I have a quick question... I have my belltech lowering kit ready to go and ordered some Lexani 255/30/26 tires. Question is no local tire shop will install them on my rims without me taking the rims off my Tahoe. They say the tires are not load rated enough for the weight of the Tahoe. Is this true? I seen others on here go 255/30/26s. Thanks

 

[Riki7s]

Bell tec 2/4" drop kit with Vision 22x9 wheels and Pirelli 285-45-22 tires. Went 45 for a little taller sidewall better ride.

 

[BADRIDES]

Bell tec 2/4" drop kit with Vision 22x9 wheels and Pirelli 285-45-22 tires. Went 45 for a little taller sidewall better ride.

View attachment 181316 View attachment 181317

You have any rubbing anywhere?

 

[Riki7s]

You have any rubbing anywhere?

None! Not over any bumps or sharp turns. After drop I had 275-60-20" Goodyears and rubbed a little at front wheel well on bumps so went to tire measurement guide for 22" and 285-45-22 was an inch less in diameter than the Goodyears. Perfect!