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Lowering a 4wd, what's the lowest I can go?


SolomonAKOO

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Posted

I dig a lowered truck for the sport scene, but for the life of me why a 4wd Z71 version? Is there an advantage at all? Seems more viable for a 2wd non Z71 and apply that money to the whole process if that's what is desired. Seems like a waste in my opinion.

 

Too be honest, for awhile I didn't understand it either. But, then I realized that in some areas people get 4x4 for the winter and they're just not into off-roading. Ever since I got a 4x4 that's all I want, even if I don't go mudding in it. Here in NC winters are hit or miss. Sometimes we barely get dustings and then other winters we get 2 or 3 storms just bad enough to need 4x4. That being said, anybody that lowers a 4x4 should have it on bags so you can at least raise it to stock height.

 

Also if you think about it, it seems like now a days it's cool to lift a 4x4 so most people never put their lifted truck in the mud. So that too me is a waste. It's also a waste if someone gets a diesel just because it's the thing to have these days and make it roll coal, to then not even tow anything.

Posted

 

Too be honest, for awhile I didn't understand it either. But, then I realized that in some areas people get 4x4 for the winter and they're just not into off-roading. Ever since I got a 4x4 that's all I want, even if I don't go mudding in it. Here in NC winters are hit or miss. Sometimes we barely get dustings and then other winters we get 2 or 3 storms just bad enough to need 4x4. That being said, anybody that lowers a 4x4 should have it on bags so you can at least raise it to stock height.

 

Also if you think about it, it seems like now a days it's cool to lift a 4x4 so most people never put their lifted truck in the mud. So that too me is a waste. It's also a waste if someone gets a diesel just because it's the thing to have these days and make it roll coal, to then not even tow anything.

I've been guilty of all these combined lol.

 

My old truck was a 06 LBZ Duramax with 9" fabtech lift and 38's lol. Banks programmer and six gun. It was fun, quick and powerfull. I did tow my seadoo with it lol. Thing with a diesel when something goes wrong it's not a couple hundred dollar fix..is usually into the thousands. My Injectors were failing and I sold the truck. Buyer was aware but it was the awe factor.

 

Now my 14. I was gonna drop it a bit more, but when my tires where out I will level it on some 20x10 and some 305's..nothing extreme.

 

To each his own though.

Posted

 

Too be honest, for awhile I didn't understand it either. But, then I realized that in some areas people get 4x4 for the winter and they're just not into off-roading. Ever since I got a 4x4 that's all I want, even if I don't go mudding in it. Here in NC winters are hit or miss. Sometimes we barely get dustings and then other winters we get 2 or 3 storms just bad enough to need 4x4. That being said, anybody that lowers a 4x4 should have it on bags so you can at least raise it to stock height.

 

Also if you think about it, it seems like now a days it's cool to lift a 4x4 so most people never put their lifted truck in the mud. So that too me is a waste. It's also a waste if someone gets a diesel just because it's the thing to have these days and make it roll coal, to then not even tow anything.

Good points! Yeah people buy shit all the time they don't need. I see those squeaky clean lifted 4x4 off-roaders you speak of. lol

Posted

Good points! Yeah people buy shit all the time they don't need. I see those squeaky clean lifted 4x4 off-roaders you speak of. lol

 

I know a truck won't be muddy 24/7, well unless it's a hunting truck or just something someone bought to thrash around in. But, it seems like I'm seeing more and more lifted trucks that never see dirt and have what I consider low profile tires for a lifted truck. I saw one video on YouTube the other say of a lifted Chevy 2500 and he was trying to pull another truck out of a whole. Well I guess he tried and then got scared because he pulled away and then "truck has too nice of paint for the chain to break", of course paraphrasing because I don't remember the exact words lol. All I could think is really? You have the money for a diesel and then to lift it more than 8" on an IFS yet you're worried about the paint? How does he know he won't be going threw a mudhole and a tire grabs a tree limb or rock and **** the paint or even the body up. I guess I'm one of those people where if you're going to do something then don't **** foot around. But that mentality is also why I had soo much shit go wrong with my old 98, which was also my DD so I learned my lesson lol. I'm going to take good care of my current truck and if I feel the itch where I want to playing the mud I'll find an old enough Chevy where it doesn't have a computer and comes with a factory front solid axle lol. But, I guess to some people that would make too much sense lol.

Posted

The majority of driving I do (and many on this forum with this question) is on road...we have pavement queens. I have not had a 2 wheel drive car or truck in years and swear I never will living up north where winter is prevalent at least half the year. I would love to sit mine down 3/5 but honestly worried about the ride quality on our crappy roads. In all honesty will probably end up with a small lift just because the word "stock" is not in my vocabulary.

  • 3 years later...
Posted
On 9/30/2014 at 2:03 PM, SolomonAKOO said:

Awesome thanks for the help, ill check out them out. I also seen that DJM makes a kit. Have you heard anything about them?

 

Yeah I thought about that too. But I can't leave it stock lol that's a reason why I'd like to bag it. Just to be able to raise it in the winter while driving.

I have a DJM kit.  It's been on my truck for over 6 years and has been great.   It needs new shocks and bushings now.   And you can buy individual replacement parts like balljoints and shocks and other stuff. 

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