Belltech Performance Handling Kit

[Husker_1911]

Attached is a link to a kit I'm intrigued by because it does a few things I'm quite interested in...  Namely:

- Appears to be more geared towards improving the handling rather than just dropping the ride height.

- IS NOT a gonzo drop...  I'm really only wanting to do a 2/4 at the most.  This is a 2/3 if one uses the entire kit.

 

Belltech's site doesn't say much about it.  Belltech has been in the game for a good long while, so I have to assume that they know what they are doing.  Belltech is also in bed with KW Automotive... That should also speak to the legitness of Belltech in the here and now.  Anywho...  here it is:

 

https://www.belltech.com/products/belltech/lowering/complete-lowering-kits/performance-handling-kits/belltech-performance-handling-kit-07-18-1-2-ton-silverado-sierra-all-cabs-short-bed-985hk.html

 

Practical knowledge and insights regarding the kit would be awesome.  Thoughts from the collective braintrust are also welcome.  Thanks y'all!

[1SLOW1500]

In my professional opinion. It's a nice kit. But that really isn't the way to go about it for finding a handling setup. Decide how aggressive and for your willing to go then get about as low as possible, then tires as agressive as possible, then cut weight out, then look at weight transfer. The old mind set of big swaybars isn't always equal to better handling. I see coilovers again once but spring rate is more important than simply height. 

If you just want a little better feel sure buy that or build kit. 

[Husker_1911]

2 hours ago, 1SLOW1500 said:

In my professional opinion. It's a nice kit. But that really isn't the way to go about it for finding a handling setup. Decide how aggressive and for your willing to go then get about as low as possible, then tires as agressive as possible, then cut weight out, then look at weight transfer. The old mind set of big swaybars isn't always equal to better handling. I see coilovers again once but spring rate is more important than simply height. 

If you just want a little better feel sure buy that or build kit. 

It being a nice kit that addresses the dampers and front springs, from an outfit that’s been in the game for a while, are why it’s attractive.  I can’t find the spring rates...  for the Belltech or even the factory.  In the end, I’m looking for “sporty”, “planted”, “confident”... not necessarily a Camaro with a bed and huge back seat, not trying to hit road courses or seriously auto cross, just a mild improvement over how it feels (which is pretty good) now when I go around a corner or semi-twisty Central Texas FM Road.  My reasons for not wanting anything bigger (or lower) than a 2/4 is to make sure I never (or as close to never as possible) have issues with speed bumps, pot holes, driveways, the gutters that run perpendicular to my direction of travel through many (mainly crossing The E-W running roads...  for whatever reason) an intersection where I’m at, etc...  I’m glad you mentioned tires.  I’m thinking about those too...  A 275/60-18 or 275/65-18 is what I’m thinking at the moment because it’s only .5” shorter or taller than the 265/65-18 on there now (should make speedo calibration easier) and I like how the factory “10 spoke” 18” wheels look.  The Conti’s in my Wife’s Suburban look good and drive quite well, and are available in both mentioned sizes...  the shorter in an H-speed rating...  which is nice.  I have considered a 275/55-20 as well.   Brakes and driveshaft are also on my mind.  Don’t know how far I want to take the brakes and that might be dependent on 20’s or 18’s...  Driveshaft, two piece kit I was turned on to in another thread that’ll handle much more power than I ever plan on having and have a higher critical speed...  because I really don’t want to risk having that part go kabloowie...  ever...  I know that was long winded, but I hope it give you insight into what my concept is.  Thank you.

[1SLOW1500]

I would go with kit but lower it first and then drive it then swap swaybars. So you knownwhatbyou are getting and not just throwing parts at it. Poly bushings are also cheap and slowly add up to a better feel. If 18" is staying I would get the width of rim and base tire on recommended. Then try to keep the side wall small to reasonable. Helps with flex however higher rated tires also are stiffer sidewall. 18" will keep you away from the biggest brake kits as that is a 20" setup.
Rake is a huge issue on trucks. It effects weight per corner and weight transfer. Track trucks get fuel cells and batteries in the rear bed to control corner weight of engine.
More agressive alignment will help and a little toe out. Will help with turn in.
Then when wheels suspension are good go heat up tires and do some turns. Based on roll over and steering you can adjust. Oversteer or understeer.
You may also consider a rear helper bag. And for you 2 seperate valves so you can add down force. Without a stiff suspension and super low the weight transfer on launch or out of a corner is so much you are unloading the front. So the xxxlb per inch spring is a huge factor on front wheel traction.

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[Nasty]

If youre keeping the truck stock height then id go for it. If youre lowering. Id use spindles up front along with the coilovers.  But i think if you want handling to grt yourself some double adjustable coilovers

[Husker_1911]

17 minutes ago, Nasty said:

If youre keeping the truck stock height then id go for it. If youre lowering. Id use spindles up front along with the coilovers.  But i think if you want handling to grt yourself some double adjustable coilovers

Stock-ish height...  kinda like the standard Tahoe vs the PPV Variant.

[Nasty]

Stock-ish height...  kinda like the standard Tahoe vs the PPV Variant.

Id get something thats double adjustable

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[Husker_1911]

1 hour ago, 1SLOW1500 said:

I would go with kit but lower it first and then drive it then swap swaybars. So you knownwhatbyou are getting and not just throwing parts at it. Poly bushings are also cheap and slowly add up to a better feel. If 18" is staying I would get the width of rim and base tire on recommended. Then try to keep the side wall small to reasonable. Helps with flex however higher rated tires also are stiffer sidewall. 18" will keep you away from the biggest brake kits as that is a 20" setup.
Rake is a huge issue on trucks. It effects weight per corner and weight transfer. Track trucks get fuel cells and batteries in the rear bed to control corner weight of engine.
More agressive alignment will help and a little toe out. Will help with turn in.
Then when wheels suspension are good go heat up tires and do some turns. Based on roll over and steering you can adjust. Oversteer or understeer.
You may also consider a rear helper bag. And for you 2 seperate valves so you can add down force. Without a stiff suspension and super low the weight transfer on launch or out of a corner is so much you are unloading the front. So the xxxlb per inch spring is a huge factor on front wheel traction.

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Did not think about bushings...  but I like that idea.  The factory 18” wheel is 8.5 wide, that’s why I’m leaning 275.  Definitely not slamming or going super low, I said earlier...  stock-ish.  I really appreciate the input, it gives me a lot of points to consider.

[Husker_1911]

3 minutes ago, Nasty said:

Id get something thats double adjustable

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Funny enough...  they have a “Plus” kit that is adjustable for rebound and compression...

[Nasty]

Is this the only kit youve looked at?

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[Husker_1911]

9 minutes ago, Nasty said:

Is this the only kit youve looked at?

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Oh no...  it’s the one that appeals to me the most at the farthest I want to lower this rig is 2/4.  Show me something with Bilsteins and I’ll definitely take a look.

[1SLOW1500]

Even at stockish hight the rear of these trucks leave a lot on the table. Nasty knows.
There is every option in the world. But leaf springs is the worst. 4 link the best. Even bolt in kit or weld in. Relocated behind axle coilovers.
I know I think to big.

Oh I have seen people clamp the overload spring down so the rear is stiffer as a cheap handling mod.

Your best mod would be better rims and tires then bushings with suspension.

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[Husker_1911]

11 minutes ago, Nasty said:

Is this the only kit youve looked at?

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Looked at IHC, DJM, other Belltechs, McGauheys...

[Nasty]

Oh no...  it’s the one that appeals to me the most at the farthest I want to lower this rig is 2/4.  Show me something with Bilsteins and I’ll definitely take a look.

Ill have to pass on bilstein ghost rider

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[KARNUT]

My 92 has belltec, does it handle as well as my sports car, no. For a truck it does really well. The kick plates even say belltec on them.


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