Gmt900 Suv - Belltech Drop

[VroomVroom]

First, many thanks to Eric @ Belltech and Rick & Drew @ Synergy Motorsports in Newark, CA for their efforts on this. When I bought this truck I told myself I wouldn't drop it. But....as anyone who's lowered a vehicle before knows, once you've done it on one rig, you can't look at all of that wheel gap on a stock-height vehicle without going crazy.

 

Before:

 

But...this time around I definitely didn't want any of the headaches I had with my '03 SUV or '05 CC pickup. Which means a mild drop...in this case, 1" up front and 2" out back. In other words something that exists in Belltech's parts inventory, but not in their catalog for the newer SUV's. Eric helped piece together a complete kit for me, including Belltech's front and rear anti-sway bars (I'm really excited about those). Here are the Belltech part numbers, in case anyone else wants to explore a similar mild drop, and at that, one that doesn't require new spindles up front.

• FRONT
  
• 12462 - 2" drop springs + 1" spacers (for 1" net drop)
  
• 5507 - Anti-sway bar
  

 

• REAR
  
• 5321 - 2" drop springs
  
• 35323 - (OPTIONAL - 1" spacers for 1" net drop)
  
• 6651 - Shock extenders
  
• n/a - Replacement Autoride sensor rods
  
• 4925 - Bump stops
  
• 5506 - Anti-sway bar
  

Drew @ Synergy did the install, and instead of loading up this thread with tons more pics, please feel free to visit my Flickr gallery for all the details.

 

Front springs:

 

Rears:

 

I followed the install with an alignment @ Roger Kraus Racing in Castro Valley, CA. No issues whatsoever - either with the install or the alignment. Another amazing thing, as those of us with prior experience know. No DIC nastygrams, not a single code, no a/r compressor kicking in, no rub/scrub anywhere, and not a single alignment element out of spec.

 

After:

 

Impressions...

The ride is more firm, but not harsh. No complaints, even over uneven bumps or railroad tracks. No bump steer at speed, either. Handling? MUCH improved. I can't speak to what had the greater effect - springs or anti-sway bars - but this is a new animal. A Corvette it ain't, but if you didn't know better from behind the wheel you wouldn't think you were in an XL SUV.

 

Interestingly, the amount of drop is more than 1" up front. No good answer for that, but I have no complaints about the look. There does seem to be a bit too much rake now, and I may be swapping rear springs for another inch of drop. Still undecided on that. I have 1-3/8" of rake right now so we'll see how they look.

 

Bottom line - Belltech amazes yet again with the quality of their products. Between the drop and (of course) the Synergy tune, the truck is as fun to drive as it is to look at in the driveway. I'd recommend something like this to anyone who's after subtle improvements without butchering ride quality, steering feel/functionality, or dealing with tire fitment issues.

[VMAXNY]

First, many thanks to Eric @ Belltech and Rick & Drew @ Synergy Motorsports in Newark, CA for their efforts on this. When I bought this truck I told myself I wouldn't drop it. But....as anyone who's lowered a vehicle before knows, once you've done it on one rig, you can't look at all of that wheel gap on a stock-height vehicle without going crazy.

 

Before:

 

But...this time around I definitely didn't want any of the headaches I had with my '03 SUV or '05 CC pickup. Which means a mild drop...in this case, 1" up front and 2" out back. In other words something that exists in Belltech's parts inventory, but not in their catalog for the newer SUV's. Eric helped piece together a complete kit for me, including Belltech's front and rear anti-sway bars (I'm really excited about those). Here are the Belltech part numbers, in case anyone else wants to explore a similar mild drop, and at that, one that doesn't require new spindles up front.

• FRONT

   

• 12462 - 2" drop springs + 1" spacers (for 1" net drop)

   

• 5507 - Anti-sway bar

   

 

• REAR

   

• 5321 - 2" drop springs

   

• 35323 - (OPTIONAL - 1" spacers for 1" net drop)

   

• 6651 - Shock extenders

   

• n/a - Replacement Autoride sensor rods

   

• 4925 - Bump stops

   

• 5506 - Anti-sway bar

   

Drew @ Synergy did the install, and instead of loading up this thread with tons more pics, please feel free to visit my Flickr gallery for all the details.

 

Front springs:

 

Rears:

 

I followed the install with an alignment @ Roger Kraus Racing in Castro Valley, CA. No issues whatsoever - either with the install or the alignment. Another amazing thing, as those of us with prior experience know. No DIC nastygrams, not a single code, no a/r compressor kicking in, no rub/scrub anywhere, and not a single alignment element out of spec.

 

After:

 

Impressions...

The ride is more firm, but not harsh. No complaints, even over uneven bumps or railroad tracks. No bump steer at speed, either. Handling? MUCH improved. I can't speak to what had the greater effect - springs or anti-sway bars - but this is a new animal. A Corvette it ain't, but if you didn't know better from behind the wheel you wouldn't think you were in an XL SUV.

 

Interestingly, the amount of drop is more than 1" up front. No good answer for that, but I have no complaints about the look. There does seem to be a bit too much rake now, and I may be swapping rear springs for another inch of drop. Still undecided on that. I have 1-3/8" of rake right now so we'll see how they look.

 

Bottom line - Belltech amazes yet again with the quality of their products. Between the drop and (of course) the Synergy tune, the truck is as fun to drive as it is to look at in the driveway. I'd recommend something like this to anyone who's after subtle improvements without butchering ride quality, steering feel/functionality, or dealing with tire fitment issues.

 

 

 

First looks GREAT but one question why did you go with front coil springs and not spindels. Did they tell you one was better than the other

[omegafiler]

No such thing as too many pics on a forum. The 900 series definately have too much fender well gap and it looks like that lowering kit took care of it. Probably about where it shoulda been from the factory! Looks really good man.

[VroomVroom]

Thanks! I went with springs over spindles for two reasons: first, I only wanted a 1" drop up front (even though I'm more than happy with the ~ 1.5" I ended up getting), and second I didn't want any issues fitting the 17" spare.

[Zembonez]

Thanks! I went with springs over spindles for two reasons: first, I only wanted a 1" drop up front (even though I'm more than happy with the ~ 1.5" I ended up getting), and second I didn't want any issues fitting the 17" spare.

The look is a really good one. If you like the ride, I'd say job well done!