Tahoe Leveling

ScoobaMatt · August 26, 2003

Hello,

Kinda new here..... Lots of good info.... Thought I might post a question to you all for some help.... I am considering the purchase of a new Tahoe for my wife. We are looking at a 2wd, and I need some info on the possiblilty of dropping the rear end to make it look a little bit better. Is there a way to do this, I think the truck has 5 link active rear suspension and I am not familiar with that setup.... I will just want to drop it 2 or 3 inches to level it out a little more with front end.....

I prefer not to lift the front to level it with the rear, as I will be putting a nice set of 20 inch wheels and some performance rated tires on it and I wish to eliminate some of the wheel well space in the rear.

Thanks for all of your help in advance.....

Matt

Bish · August 27, 2003

I had the self levelling shocks (NOT autoride). When I swapped out to Bilstein HD shocks, the rear dropped to be level with the front. THere is a spring kit you can add to keep the stock ride height but I didn't like the nose down look. I think I paid $55 each so for around $100 you could do it easily.

One warning though, the rear height is lower when I tow. It still handles better towing with the Bilsteins but I had to flip arouind my tow bar to get a couple more inches.

ScoobaMatt · August 27, 2003

I had the self levelling shocks (NOT autoride). When I swapped out to Bilstein HD shocks, the rear dropped to be level with the front. THere is a spring kit you can add to keep the stock ride height but I didn't like the nose down look. I think I paid $55 each so for around $100 you could do it easily.

One warning though, the rear height is lower when I tow. It still handles better towing with the Bilsteins but I had to flip arouind my tow bar to get a couple more inches.

So by changing the shocks, it lowered the rear of your Tahoe ?? How does that work ?? Do you have pictures ?

Do you have any info on that spring kit you mention ?

Thanks for the info on the towing, though this is my wife's daily driver, she will not be doing any towing with it. We have a Crew Cab HD to do the towing chores..... I just want to do this to give her a nice ride height so she doesn't need a ladder to put the stroller in the back, and so it rides a little better, performance wise......

Thanks,

Matt

Bish · August 27, 2003

No pics of the way it was before the change. I could snap one for you the way it is now if you want..

Basically it works like this. The Autolevelling shocks have some type of valving that keeps them up taller when they get loaded. It is all done inside the shock. Not sure of the specifics of how it does it but it does it. When you replace with the Bilsteins, the "autoleveling" feature is gone and the rear returns to what I consider a normal height. The spring kit is a Bilstein kit. I'm assuming the added spring simply boosts the ride height back up to where it was with the autolevelling shocks. As I said, I do not have the spring kit and I prefer the way it sits now. It also tows well without the spring kit.

Let me know on the pic.

ScoobaMatt · August 27, 2003

No pics of the way it was before the change. I could snap one for you the way it is now if you want..

Basically it works like this. The Autolevelling shocks have some type of valving that keeps them up taller when they get loaded. It is all done inside the shock. Not sure of the specifics of how it does it but it does it. When you replace with the Bilsteins, the "autoleveling" feature is gone and the rear returns to what I consider a normal height. The spring kit is a Bilstein kit. I'm assuming the added spring simply boosts the ride height back up to where it was with the autolevelling shocks. As I said, I do not have the spring kit and I prefer the way it sits now. It also tows well without the spring kit.

Let me know on the pic.

Thank, but you don;t to go to any effort to take a picture for me.... I appreciate it though.... I was just at the dealer to inspect the truck after it was delivered from the other dealer and mine also has those same load leveling shocks you are talking about.... Guess I will have to do what you suggest..... Is is a simple process ?? Will I have to disconnect any wiring or anything from the shocks ?

We will get to drive her home tonight...... We are very excited !!!!!!!

Thanks again for your help, Bish !

Matt

wandell · August 27, 2003

Eibach and a few other companies make lowering springs (2 inch, I beleive) for the rear of Tahoes and Yukons. Some companies make a kit that contains new torsion bar keys to lower the front, but I think this is unnecessary. You should be able to make any minor adjustments to level the truck with the stock torsion bar keys.

Bish · August 28, 2003

Piece of cake if you have a 1/2 inch ratchet. I jacked the rear end up, pulled both wheels, and from there it took me 10 miniutes. I didn't have access for an impact wrench but got it anyhow. That was with 40K on it with light rust on the bolts. If your's is new, they should come right off. Just make sure you torque them nice and tight.

I agree with wandell too though. You could just raise the front a little. I replaced all 4 shocks because the oems were junk by then. I was not specifically doing it to lower the rear. Just a nice benefit

kgornek · August 28, 2003

Bish,

Did you put the HD's on all 4 corners? How is the ride compared to stock? My Tahoe has the stock suspension and I'd like to keep that nice smooth ride. The only reason I'm replacing the stock shocks is for a bit more control over the bigger bumps. If you could post a picture I'd love to see it. Thanks ~

Bish · August 28, 2003

Bish,

Did you put the HD's on all 4 corners? How is the ride compared to stock? My Tahoe has the stock suspension and I'd like to keep that nice smooth ride. The only reason I'm replacing the stock shocks is for a bit more control over the bigger bumps. If you could post a picture I'd love to see it. Thanks ~

Hd's on all 4 corners. Ride is better IMO. It is a little stiffer but not really noticeable on the highway. Cornering is significantly better, less "wishy-washy" if that makes sense. Towing is also better as the trailer (6000lbs) seems to sway a lot less with the Bilsteins. Of course I also switched to Michelin LTX M/S in a LT265/75R16 which gives a stiffer sidewall as well.

Let me put it another way. I think the ride is sifgnificantly better and my wife has not complained about any real change in comfort level while driving.

Regarding a pic, I hav enever ficured out how to post one so if you want, shoot me an email and I'll send you one.

Poindexter · August 29, 2003

I would take the factory shocks off first and take a look at it. It will drop about 1" w/o the leveling shocks. If you still want it lower, you can go to the Eibach drop springs and put the leveling shocks back on, that's good for about 2". If you put the 2" drop Eibach springs on and go to an aftermaket shock, it will drop about 4". But then you will have to modify the bump-stops on the rear or you will be hitting them all the time. The rear end seems a little bouncy w/o the leveling shocks.

I think the best setup is Eibachs and factory leveling shocks. This will get you a 2" drop with great ride characteristics.

I have a set of used 2" drop Eibach springs I am looking to unload. FYI