Rear Suspension Height

Bobaloo · February 17, 2002

I have a new 2500HD which replaced my old Silverado half ton. The bed sides on the new truck are about 4-5" higher at the rear axle than my old truck. This is a problem for my fifth wheel travel trailer. I need to lower the back end 2-3" to maintain proper distance between the trailer and the top of the bed. Any suggestions how to lower this vehicle with minimal negative impacts??

MountaineerTom · February 17, 2002

You could try a set of 2 inch drop shakles, if they make them for your truck. The reason I say that, is I don't have any experience with them , but I know some of the 2wd 1/2 ton guys use them to level out their truck. I'll see if I can find out any more info on them for you.

Welcome to the site, hope you enjoy it.

MountaineerTom · February 17, 2002

BTW, I know Belltech makes a two inch drop shakle for the 1/2, but not sure on the 3/4 ton HD's.

DaveRuane · February 19, 2002

How about lifting the rear? I need to get 2-inches lift in the back and have had a couple of local shops try and find blocks - to no avail...

Anybody have a part# and source for blocks and u-bolts to get 2" additional lift on a '01 2500HD CrewCab Short-box 4x4?

Or, is a shackle lift the better way to go?

MountaineerTom · February 19, 2002

I think Superlift makes some taller blocks, but I'm not sure on how much taller, or if they make them for the 2500HD's. If i can find more info, I'll let you know, if some of the other guys don't hook you up first.

Jpshostr · February 19, 2002

Another thing to think about is leave the truck, but lift the trailer. While I'm not familier with travel trailers, I do know its been done by several owners of newer Ford Super Dutys that ran into the same problem. The dealer for the trailer should be able to flip the axles under the springs for you without much hassle.

BDBWTE · April 30, 2002

I would go with the drop shackles on the back of the truck. You would then have to adjust the torsion rods on the front accordingly to get the ride heights correct again or to keep the factory-like ride qualities.

blk496 · May 2, 2002

As posted above, you could lift the trailer. Our fifth wheel was lifted to the max suspension position to fit our Superduty. The fifth wheel pulls fine with the added height. In fact, we just got it out of storage yesterday and hardly even noticed the gusty winds on the trip home.

I'm sure by lowering the truck to fit the trailer would result in a more comfortable ride in wind and a little better mileage. I've convinced the wife that it would be better to lift the new GMC when it arrives to match the trailer than to lower it.

SierraHDCC · May 2, 2002

I own a 2001 2500HD crew cab. I dropped the rear to level it some using Belltech 2" drop shackles, part number 6400. There is still a 1-inch rake from front to rear.

You can also use Belltech part number 6700 to drop it 1 inch, if you'd like. These shackles are extremely heavy duty and durable. They fit all leaf springs that are 2-1/2 inches wide. I found them ranging in price from $39 to $65/pair.

On a short bed they were not all that difficult to install, although if you don't release the springs from the axle first to allow spring movement, you'll have a very tough time getting the top bolt out of the factory shackle and into the new one. There is a rivet head right in the way making it very difficult to slide the upper shackle bolt across the top of the frame rail. You're much better off removing the u-bolts to free the spring from the axle first. Additionally, the factory trailer hitch will have to be dropped or removed first to allow removal of the bottom shackle bolt.

See my signature for pictures of the truck before and after, including a shot of the shackles through the wheel well.

TXDMAX · May 2, 2002

You can also try velvet-ride shckles from goodrich. They will lower the vehicle about 1 1/2 inches and some out the ride a little.

antig24 · May 3, 2002

I'd probably lower the truck instead of raising the trailer.

Jpshostr · May 3, 2002

I'd probably lower the truck instead of raising the trailer.

I disagree on that. Since it is obvious that this vehicle will be used for towing, with a fifth wheel trailer which places the load in the bed, you'll want to keep the rear of the truck at the same height proportional to the front while it is unloaded. If you install these drop shackles in the rear, you'll drop the rear even with the front, or even below. When you hitch that truck up to the trailer and put the load on it, with the stock truck it'll settle down level or with a little sag, with the shackles installed it'll drop down plenty far. For best results while towing you want the tow vehicle sitting as level as possible.

antig24 · May 3, 2002

whoops, i never really thought about that.

MountaineerTom · May 3, 2002

See my signature for pictures of the truck before and after, including a shot of the shackles through the wheel well.

Are all of those trucks yours? That '92 looks really nice. Actually, all of them do.

SierraHDCC · May 6, 2002

Are all of those trucks yours? That '92 looks really nice. Actually, all of them do.

The HD is my daily driver. I still have the 1992 Chevy. The 1998 GMC is long gone. I recently updated the grille on the '92 to a 1994 - 1998 model using genuine GM parts.