Lowered 4x4 thread

wantavant · July 6, 2016

Hey guys, I know lowering a 4wd isn't for everyone but living in Iowa I need it for winter, yet I want the street truck look. I have a 2016 rcsb Silverado, looking to lower it 3/5 or 4/6. Does anyone know the "safe" range for lowering 4x4's? Please post up pics and what you have lowered yours with.

Thanks!

Edited July 6, 2016 by wantavant

Chris · July 6, 2016

Hey guys, I know lowering a 4wd isn't for everyone but living in Iowa I need it for winter, yet I want the street truck look. I have a 2016 rcsb Silverado, looking to lower it 3/5 or 4/6. Does anyone know the "safe" range for lowering 4x4's? Please post up pics and what you have lowered yours with.

Thanks!

As low as you want depending on how you want to spend. You will be ssafe with 3 in the front. Anything over 4 may need a little shorter cv shaft. I have known people to drop AWD Denalis ans Silverado SS trucks 5 inch up front.

wantavant · July 6, 2016

So 3/5 it is, thank you very much for the response, now lets see some pics fellas.

Cooldaddygroove · July 6, 2016

Lots to learn in the 2014 Lowering thread here: http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/155864-2014-lowering-drop-kits/

I just lowered my 2015 RCSB Sierra Z71 4x4, after literally months of research. Truck was brand new off the lot, so I would think I am similar to you in your concern of "how low can I go?". My truck will probably never see mud, its a city truck, and the 4x4 feature to me was merely for winter traction.

I originally decided a 3/5........but a few things swayed me away

Good chance it would require shortening the drive shaft
I didn't want to flip the rear
I didn't want top cut anything on a brand new truck, and with a 3/5 you definitely need to cut (or remove) the rear bump stops, and maybe even need to grind off the bump stop brackets.
I still wanted to retain ability to tow/haul stuff

So I went mild, with a 2/4

And yes, as everyone will tell you, you will always want to go lower. My logic was, if I am going to go lower, I'll just bag the damn thing

Chris · July 6, 2016

Lots to learn in the 2014 Lowering thread here: http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/155864-2014-lowering-drop-kits/

I just lowered my 2015 RCSB Sierra Z71 4x4, after literally months of research. Truck was brand new off the lot, so I would think I am similar to you in your concern of "how low can I go?". My truck will probably never see mud, its a city truck, and the 4x4 feature to me was merely for winter traction.

I originally decided a 3/5........but a few things swayed me away

Good chance it would require shortening the drive shaft

I didn't want to flip the rear

I didn't want top cut anything on a brand new truck, and with a 3/5 you definitely need to cut (or remove) the rear bump stops, and maybe even need to grind off the bump stop brackets.

I still wanted to retain ability to tow/haul stuff

So I went mild, with a 2/4

And yes, as everyone will tell you, you will always want to go lower. My logic was, if I am going to go lower, I'll just bag the damn thing

Good points there, I concentrated on the front being that it was 4wd, but yes the rear will need to be notched. more than 5" requires a flip kit. and then driveshaft angles

wantavant · July 7, 2016

Thanks for all the insight. Your truck looks awesome but I just know I will end up wanting to do the flip kit. That part doesn't scare me too bad, I just don't want to mess up the 4wd as I need it in the winter. I hope I don't have to shorten the drive shaft, fingers crossed!

Cooldaddygroove · July 7, 2016

If my truck was a couple years old, I would probably be fine (emotionally) with cutting it up. But with a brand new one...........yeesh, I just think "Hi Mr. Car Buyer. Yes, I had the truck lowered, and yes, I had to have the drive shaft shortened, which means if you are buying my truck to use off road, you are kind of screwed"

JRoyPDX · June 8, 2017

Lots to learn in the 2014 Lowering thread here: http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/155864-2014-lowering-drop-kits/

I just lowered my 2015 RCSB Sierra Z71 4x4, after literally months of research. Truck was brand new off the lot, so I would think I am similar to you in your concern of "how low can I go?". My truck will probably never see mud, its a city truck, and the 4x4 feature to me was merely for winter traction.

I originally decided a 3/5........but a few things swayed me away

Good chance it would require shortening the drive shaft

I didn't want to flip the rear

I didn't want top cut anything on a brand new truck, and with a 3/5 you definitely need to cut (or remove) the rear bump stops, and maybe even need to grind off the bump stop brackets.

I still wanted to retain ability to tow/haul stuff

So I went mild, with a 2/4

And yes, as everyone will tell you, you will always want to go lower. My logic was, if I am going to go lower, I'll just bag the damn thing

What wheel/tire size is that?

Nasty · June 9, 2017

Looks like oem 275 55 20

TheMekanik · June 10, 2017

My old 14 4WD Z71. 5.3, 3.42's. Mcgaughtys 3" drop struts, factory aluminum control arms. 5" rear drop, shackle flip, mcgaughtys rear shocks. Stock driveshafts, stock 275/55R20. Perfect ride, no issues.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited June 10, 2017 by TheMekanik

JRoyPDX · June 29, 2017

Finished install on the 4x4. Didn't make it to the alignment shop in time, but its low. I think I'll take the back down 1" more.

JRoyPDX · June 30, 2017

Updated. Moved the rear kit to the 6" setting. We are now 3/6 drop.

Kit is a mix of parts

DJM front lower control arm

Belltech strut front set to 1" drop

Rear Maxtrac flip kit set at 6" setting

Rear Belltech shocks

Edited June 30, 2017 by JRoyPDX

cruizin01 · June 30, 2017

awesome looking truck. interesting topic.

Imcrazy · June 30, 2017

Lots to learn in the 2014 Lowering thread here: http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/155864-2014-lowering-drop-kits/

I just lowered my 2015 RCSB Sierra Z71 4x4, after literally months of research. Truck was brand new off the lot, so I would think I am similar to you in your concern of "how low can I go?". My truck will probably never see mud, its a city truck, and the 4x4 feature to me was merely for winter traction.

I originally decided a 3/5........but a few things swayed me away

Good chance it would require shortening the drive shaft

I didn't want to flip the rear

I didn't want top cut anything on a brand new truck, and with a 3/5 you definitely need to cut (or remove) the rear bump stops, and maybe even need to grind off the bump stop brackets.

I still wanted to retain ability to tow/haul stuff

So I went mild, with a 2/4

And yes, as everyone will tell you, you will always want to go lower. My logic was, if I am going to go lower, I'll just bag the damn thing