Lowering Rear End

big_dawg74 · August 9, 2009

Howdy, all. I'm running a stock 2WD 2006 W/T long bed w/ stock 245/70/17s and I am frustrated with the nose down, tail up look. I don't haul very much at all...no trailering, either. Mostly city driving back and forth to work. Been thinking about maybe lowering the rear end a bit to make it even.

1) How does that effect payload capacity? I do run and get a load of landscape bark for the wife every once in awhile.

2) Resale ramifications? Will it hurt my trade in value much?

3) How does it effect the ride/handling?

I'm not looking to "slam" the truck, nor do I want to do any front end mods. I will probably end up keeping the stock 17s on the rear, too. Any guess as to the cost of this? Would rather have a shop do this for me than try to do it myself and screw something up.

OPGMC · August 10, 2009

How about putting on a 2 inch leveling kit on the front instead of lowering

SeirraRR · August 10, 2009

I'm not looking to "slam" the truck, nor do I want to do any front end mods.

This is why.

bossier62guy · August 10, 2009

Howdy, all. I'm running a stock 2WD 2006 W/T long bed w/ stock 245/70/17s and I am frustrated with the nose down, tail up look. I don't haul very much at all...no trailering, either. Mostly city driving back and forth to work. Been thinking about maybe lowering the rear end a bit to make it even.

1) How does that effect payload capacity? I do run and get a load of landscape bark for the wife every once in awhile.

2) Resale ramifications? Will it hurt my trade in value much?

3) How does it effect the ride/handling?

I'm not looking to "slam" the truck, nor do I want to do any front end mods. I will probably end up keeping the stock 17s on the rear, too. Any guess as to the cost of this? Would rather have a shop do this for me than try to do it myself and screw something up.

Lot's of folks here have dropped the rear approximately 2" using longer shackles. I'm sure payload capacity will take a slight hit but I doubt resale would be affected especially since the factory shackles can always be put back in place. Ride/handling shouldn't be affected either....you should be able to pick up the shackles for less than $60.

big_dawg74 · August 11, 2009

Lot's of folks here have dropped the rear approximately 2" using longer shackles. I'm sure payload capacity will take a slight hit but I doubt resale would be affected especially since the factory shackles can always be put back in place. Ride/handling shouldn't be affected either....you should be able to pick up the shackles for less than $60.

So is replacing shackles as easy as it sounds....jack up truck, unbolt old shackle, bolt in new shackle, repeat for other side, remove jack? Most of my DIY experience is just with normal maintenance things (fluid change/tune up/etc.)

Zembonez · August 11, 2009

I've run lowering shackles on the rear of all of my trucks since the 90s.

1. Payload: You are using the same suspension but you have to watch out at or near the limit because the axle will bottom out quicker.

2. Resale: No change whatsoever. Nobody will even know you did it but you.

3. Ride is actually smoothed out a bit due to the shifting of a little more weight to the rear.

It's not a big deal at all... Just do it.

Zembonez · August 11, 2009

Lot's of folks here have dropped the rear approximately 2" using longer shackles. I'm sure payload capacity will take a slight hit but I doubt resale would be affected especially since the factory shackles can always be put back in place. Ride/handling shouldn't be affected either....you should be able to pick up the shackles for less than $60.

So is replacing shackles as easy as it sounds....jack up truck, unbolt old shackle, bolt in new shackle, repeat for other side, remove jack? Most of my DIY experience is just with normal maintenance things (fluid change/tune up/etc.)

Installation is a TAD more complicated. You have to put some jack stands under the frame with the wheels off of the ground and then use a floor jack to lift the rear axle and relieve pressure from the leaf springs. It helps if you have a friend do the jack work and you do the wrenching.

jvmorgan · August 11, 2009

I agree totally with the friend helping run the jack make the process a lot easier in the end. Not hard a tall it is 4 bolts total, really easy with air tools but can be done with hand tools be careful not to tighten the shackles too much because of annoying squeaking and not allowing for flex.

I bet even cheaper then $60 on the shackles check ebay or around the site from other members, thats where I found mine.

Good luck

big_dawg74 · August 11, 2009

Installation is a TAD more complicated. You have to put some jack stands under the frame with the wheels off of the ground and then use a floor jack to lift the rear axle and relieve pressure from the leaf springs. It helps if you have a friend do the jack work and you do the wrenching.

Ok, that makes sense. I am assuming you put the jack under the differential to lift the axle evenly? (Its looking like this is gonna be a one person job: me) Also, I found some drop shackles on ebay that have zerks. Are these better than non-lubed shackles? Or are all shackles pretty much the same? I don't want to put something on that is gonna bust on me at 65 on the freeway.

Zembonez · August 11, 2009

Installation is a TAD more complicated. You have to put some jack stands under the frame with the wheels off of the ground and then use a floor jack to lift the rear axle and relieve pressure from the leaf springs. It helps if you have a friend do the jack work and you do the wrenching.

Ok, that makes sense. I am assuming you put the jack under the differential to lift the axle evenly? (Its looking like this is gonna be a one person job: me) Also, I found some drop shackles on ebay that have zerks. Are these better than non-lubed shackles? Or are all shackles pretty much the same? I don't want to put something on that is gonna bust on me at 65 on the freeway.

I use BellTech shackles myself. I like the fact that they have urethane bushings instead of the limp rubber the OEM ones have. Never had any problem. It seems odd to me to have a grease fitting on a rubber bushing...

Zembonez · August 11, 2009

One other point. Make sure you have the truck off of the stands and sitting on the ground BEFORE you tighten the shackle bolts. If not the bushings will be preloaded (twisted) and have a negative effect on the ride and maybe even the life of the bushings..