whodatfan

So I want to clarify a post I made about the shim positioning on lowered trucks. I ordered the DJM 2 degree shim kit for my rear drop consisting of 2" shackles, rear block removal, and OBS u-bolts. I assumed that you needed to install the shims to roll the rear end upward because the shackles rolled the pinion downward, but that is not the case. It is just the opposite. Lowering the rear of the truck raises the axle and flattens out the driveshaft decreasing the downward slope of the shaft from front to back. To regain the proper angle, the axle actually has to drop down towards the ground. With that in mind, for trucks with leaf springs on top of the axle, the thick part of the shim must go towards the front. For trucks with the leaf springs underneath the axle, the thick part of shim goes towards the rear of truck. My previous post on this was incorrect and I stated the opposite. Here is a link to the page explaining this for the exact DJM kit I purchased: http://www.stylintrucks.com/articles/0705_djm_pinion_shims.aspx Hope this helps out the confusion on the shim placement.

Anyone reuse the factory nuts off the u bolts? I ordered 4 gm #15002781 and all you get is the damn u bolt. No nuts. As expensive as they are you think you'd get nuts and washers included.

You need to measure the front to find out how far off the rear is though. Get the front angle, then the rear, and that will tell you what size shim you need.

No. That is not what he is saying. He said don't worry about the trans angle because you didn't alter it's geometry by installing shackles. It's the rear end that was rotated out of tolerance. If you get a vibration at speed, you need to shim the rear differential up to remove it. Don't worry about the front of the drive shaft and transmission. It's fine.

In regards to lowering a vehicle, if the leafs are on top of the axle, the thick part of the wedge/shim goes to the rear of truck. If the leafs are under the axle, the thick part of the wedge/shim goes to the front of truck. This will pitch the differential up toward the bed of truck back to the proper angle compensating for the downward pitch caused by installing drop shackles. Shackles change the geometry of the leaf springs and roll the differential downward towards the ground. The wedges set the angle back near factory settings restoring harmonic balance of the drive shaft. Hope this helps.

I haven't used the angle finder on the tranny yet, but how did you come up with the 2° for the shim kit? I also have 2" drop shackles with block removed. I just have a 2wd though.

That is it. Perfect

With a little Photoshop magic, here's my truck sitting about how I'd like it. Maybe it is 6/8? Don't know. Why do y'all think?

I already have 2" drop shackles installed, so how do I determine what the factory pinion angle was? Also, how to figure out how much 3" of drop will change the pinion angle? Does the truck need to have the 3" drop in place first to then measure the difference?

How did you know how many degrees you needed to shim? Also, what is the part # for the shim kit? I have 2" shackles with block removed for a 3" rear drop on a 2014 GMC double cab.

Still looking to swap a Chevy owner with the black moldings on a double cab. I have the chrome on my gmc I want to trade. Let me know if interested. I am willing to remove and ship first if I have to.

Do it. Good price. Anyone have a link to a set of shorter U bolts they purchased for rear block removal?

305/40/22

Yep. Just too loud for me. Not that it didnt sound kickass, just a step or so louder than I wanted. Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

None. The third cat is not monitored by a sensor. Cutting it out has no effect on the truck. It is simply a third cat to comply to California emissions. Feel free to hack away. Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

Yes. Pretty much anyone gutting the stock exhaust is cutting out everything from 3rd cat back. Some are cutting out the 3rd cat as well. I have the 18" magnaflow with resonator V4 flapper gone and its plenty loud. I had the 14" magnaflow for a day and went to another shop and had it cut out for the 18". If anyone wants the 14" its for sale. Lol Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

22" dub skillz with 305/40/22 tires Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

Dont do it. It is perfect the way it stands right now. The two inch drop shackle gives the truck a perfect stance. Leaves the back just 1 inch higher than the front. I have the same drop on my truck. I was going to take the blocks out too but loved the stance like it is. Here is a pick I took after the new exhaust. Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

Shop had them. Think they are magnaflow tips. Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

Finally had the tips moved to rear quarter flush and with a slight stagger. Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

Yes Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

Its dual out, so two tips. Muffler shop had them in stock. Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

Good sound to go with the looks. Nice truck Luster. Tomorrow I am having the muffler shop move my exhaust to rear of tire in factory location but he is gonna have the tips flush with underbody tucked up tight and contour to the curve of the lower quarter panel. I will post pics tomorrow afternoon. Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

How bad is the dropoff in fuel mileage with AFM delete? Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

V4 only. It sounds beast in V8. Especially when you're in the gas hard. The tone is leaps and bounds better than a flowmaster. Never had Corsa or Borla so cant comment on those. The magnaflow sounds killer on startup too. Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk