Jump to content

Lowered 4x4 thread

wantavant
 Share

Recommended Posts

wantavant Enthusiast

wantavant

Posted
Posted (edited)

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 by wantavant
Chris Senior Enthusiast

Chris

Posted
Posted

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.
Cooldaddygroove Enthusiast

Cooldaddygroove

Posted
Posted

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

 

jzql5xY.jpg

 

 

  • Like 2
Chris Senior Enthusiast

Chris

Posted
Posted

 

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

 

jzql5xY.jpg

 

 

 

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 Enthusiast

wantavant

Posted
  • Author
Posted

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 Enthusiast

Cooldaddygroove

Posted
Posted

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"

  • 11 months later...
JRoyPDX Enthusiast

JRoyPDX

Posted
Posted

 

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

 

jzql5xY.jpg

 

 

 

 

What wheel/tire size is that?

  • Like 1
TheMekanik Enthusiast

TheMekanik

Posted
Posted (edited)

7d45120c9e379ade9c089f879f619367.jpg

 

0ac5b0be98db44c4a584dd9cd5561383.jpg

 

49c7e8ef5393bb22865eb9815b3a5e4a.jpg

 

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 by TheMekanik
  • Like 2
  • 3 weeks later...
JRoyPDX Enthusiast

JRoyPDX

Posted
Posted

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.23533fa35e027a5fe16884c208ad7e84.jpg094c85a9055ec9a13fee2214953e2184.jpg

  • Like 3
JRoyPDX Enthusiast

JRoyPDX

Posted
Posted (edited)

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

7cebd9ef009083b14d0078f47e844fb9.jpgd67d5d1b0f9f7467f26334727b1b5286.jpg

Edited by JRoyPDX
  • Like 1
Imcrazy Senior Enthusiast

Imcrazy

Posted
Posted

 

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

 

jzql5xY.jpg

 

 

 

Best looking lowered truck I have seen!

JRoyPDX Enthusiast

JRoyPDX

Posted
Posted

Best looking lowered truck I have seen!

I vote second best, I'm biased to this one haha!9ce5d7146e1307ff4f7e34bdceb50532.jpg

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • Grumpy Bear
      OCI, not when but why?

      By Grumpy Bear · Posted

      My post above is the direct reason for my outsized interest in keeping what I have for as long as possible. My memory isn't as short as some. 
    • Grumpy Bear
      OCI, not when but why?

      By Grumpy Bear · Posted

      I don't think so. 😏 Cars? Our experience will diverge there as well. I was buying cars with 200K (1970's) when I started and quite a few were pretty solid cars. (My early stuff was 1964 to 1968)  Some stinkers but not the dismal picture painted above. Now that said, yes, a dealer wouldn't talk to you if your car had more than 60K on the clock and lot cars were 60K or less except the back row where 100-120K was the auction bought for dirt for us poor losers. Kids in my county were not allowed to wear long pants if they couldn't rebuild and repair every part of that beast.    I will agree that many parts are now better. Alternators and charging systems are an envy. But I replaced few water pumps or power steering pumps then. Rebuilt carburetors but replaced few. Mufflers are another place of OEM improvement. Stainless? We didn't have no stink'n stainless.    As long as humans are in charge of governance this $$$$ situation will not improve.    The purchasing power of a dollar in 1955 is significantly higher than in 2025, meaning that a dollar could buy more goods and services in 1955 compared to 2025 due to inflation over the years. For example, what you could buy for $1 in 1955 would require approximately $10.50 in 2025.  Calculator.net inflationtool.com   Comparison of Purchasing Power: 1955 vs 2025 The purchasing power of a dollar has changed significantly from 1955 to 2025 due to inflation. Below is a breakdown of how much more money is needed in 2025 to match the buying power of a dollar in 1955. Purchasing Power Overview Year Equivalent Value of $1 in 1955 1955 $1.00 2025 $10.50 Key Points Inflation Impact: The value of money decreases over time due to inflation, meaning that the same amount of money buys fewer goods and services in the future. Example of Inflation: What could be purchased for $1 in 1955 would require approximately $10.50 in 2025. This illustrates how inflation has eroded the purchasing power of the dollar over the decades. Understanding these changes in purchasing power is crucial for financial planning and assessing economic conditions over time.  Wikipedia Calculator.net
    • Aimatdeer
      Ac not keeping up

      By Aimatdeer · Posted

      The thermometer has been in my wife's 2008 envoy, my sons 2016 chevy, my friends 2020 1500 silverado all showing cooler readings. It's not the guage.
    • Gary Doolin
      Trim level custom/pro

      By Gary Doolin · Posted

      Have a question concerning trim levels. Ive not bought a new vehicle since 2006, and I have decided on a 2500 gmc pro or silverado custom. For anyone that has one of these 2 trim levels have you regretted not stepping up to the LT or SLE. I look at things as the more electronics the more problems to arise. I love the look of the old school gauges on the dash as well. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts. 
    • PunchT37
      Ac not keeping up

      By PunchT37 · Posted

      If that guage has a way to adjust [hex on bottom], put that thing in a glass full of ice, put water in, put your gage in, let it sit for 3 minutes or so, and set it to 33 degrees.

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...