2014+ Lowering / Drop Kits

Nasty · May 5, 2018

Still have to put my viking coilovers in but I love how my truck sits

qwank · May 6, 2018

3 hours ago, 204-WPG said:

The provided Transmission Spacer, it says in the instruction for 2WD only, but did you need to install it?

on the other note, how did you install/tighten the provided bump stop? No access to reach the nut...Lol

I didn't have to use the transmission spacer, I threw it in the glove box just in case though

For the bumpstops, you drill a 5/16'' hole in the frame and use a 3/8-16 tap to make some threads. I just put a dab of red loctite on the bump stop and screwed it into the frame by hand as tight as I could get it.

204-WPG · May 6, 2018

Got you. Tnxs

Nasty · May 6, 2018

22 minutes ago, qwank said:

I didn't have to use the transmission spacer, I threw it in the glove box just in case though

For the bumpstops, you drill a 5/16'' hole in the frame and use a 3/8-16 tap to make some threads. I just put a dab of red loctite on the bump stop and screwed it into the frame by hand as tight as I could get it.

I got a belltech bump stop that has a nut and bolt. I used a #10 self tapping steel screw

qwank · May 6, 2018

1 hour ago, Nasty said:

I got a belltech bump stop that has a nut and bolt. I used a #10 self tapping steel screw

yeah, some kits come with the self tapper type, mine came with the screw in style. It came with nuts too but there's no way to get them on there.

6ftdwn57 · May 7, 2018

So I did my drop last year right after I bought the truck. 2017 5.3L 2wd. I went with the McGaughys kit. I set the front at 5" of drop. The back I did the axle flip, and used their new hanger on the highest setting(for the most drop). Went with 4' angle shims on the rear to set the driveline correctly, and had to have the driveshaft shortened. Handles and drives beautifully. Currently running their supplied rear shocks as well(pretty happy with them actually).

My question is, comparing my truck to pictures of trucks with the same setup, it looks like I'm missing another 1" of drop in the rear? At first I liked the look of the raked stance, but now I'm wanting the back down lower. Am I missing something here?

6ftdwn57 · May 7, 2018

I am also running bigger tires in the rear now, that isnt shown in those pictures. Nitto 305/40/22 currently, was running 285/40/22. So it raised it up a touch as well.

6ftdwn57 · May 7, 2018

Sorry, looks like after reading back through this thread, if I wanted even a lower drop in the back, I should have stayed with my stock hangers. I'm wondering if a shackle will get me my 1'' I'm looking for. Anyone run that kind of setup?

Edited May 7, 2018 by 6ftdwn57

Nasty · May 7, 2018

47 minutes ago, 6ftdwn57 said:

Sorry, looks like after reading back through this thread, if I wanted even a lower drop in the back, I should have stayed with my stock hangers. I'm wondering if a shackle will get me my 1'' I'm looking for. Anyone run that kind of setup?

Any lowering shackle

6ftdwn57 · May 7, 2018

since my shackle is running pretty much vertical, I would need an 1" shorter shackle to achieve what I want. Which brings us into the lowering/lift shackle debate after flipping. I think the lowering shackle would actually cause lift in this application.

I think this is what I'm looking for? Since I'm running the lift hanger from McGaughys. The other "lowering shackles" out on the market look to be much longer, which would cause lift.

https://switchsuspension.com/gmc-sierra-1500-2014-2018-rear-1-drop-shackles-mcgaughys-part-34040/

Edited May 28, 2025 by txab

Nasty · May 7, 2018

4 minutes ago, 6ftdwn57 said:

since my shackle is running pretty much vertical, I would need an 1" shorter shackle to achieve what I want. Which brings us into the lowering/lift shackle debate after flipping. I think the lowering shackle would actually cause lift in this application.

I think this is what I'm looking for? Since I'm running the lift hanger from McGaughys. The other "lowering shackles" out on the market look to be much longer, which would cause lift.

https://www.suspensionshop.com/gmc-sierra-1500-2014-2018-rear-1-drop-shackles-mcgaughys-part-34040/

You're at 5 right now? With stock shackle? How is your hanger set?

6ftdwn57 · May 7, 2018

To clear everything up:

If you have used McGuaghys flip kit, with lift hanger, then you need shorter(lift) shackles to achieve a drop in suspension. Like in this link:

https://switchsuspension.com/gmc-sierra-1500-2014-2018-rear-1-drop-shackles-mcgaughys-part-34040/

If you have not used a rear flip kit, then you would need a longer(lowering) shackle to achieve a drop in suspension. Like in this link:

https://switchsuspension.com/chevrolet-silverado-1500-2014-2018-rear-1-2-drop-shackles-mcgaughys-part-33037/

Edited May 28, 2025 by txab

Nasty · May 7, 2018

Lift shackle is to short. I had one. Horrible ride. Not enough movement

6ftdwn57 · May 7, 2018

I used McGuaghys flip kit, with their lift hanger, and stock shackles. Lift hanger set to the highest setting(for most drop). This is supposed to achieve 6" of drop.

If I would have kept my stock hangers, then I would have yielded 7" of drop.

So now, Im going with McGuaghys shackle designed for their flip kit with lift hanger for another 1" of drop, putting me down to 7". Which would be opposite of what you would need to lower, if you havent done a flip and lift hanger