Ooohhh, here I go again! Another damn novel.
2/4 is not enough.
I have posted that statement on here many, many times over the years since I did mine.
...and I was told the exact same thing by more than a few of the O/G members before I did my '97, way back when.
2/4 is NOT enough!
Why?
Getting the truck vibration-free due to the whack pinion angles created by those spring hangers was an on-going exercise in frustration. One thing for sure, I've managed to become quite proficient at tearing all that down & putting it back together.
Even before I had to deal with pinion angles, just getting that driver-side hanger installed,...Grrr! But then, we did that with the box on. If (big IF!) I was ever to do all this again, I'd pull the box.
Then, after the install was completed & dialed-in, those O/G member's statements became abundantly clear.
Walking away from the vehicle, after I've managed to find the perfect power-parking spot, then turning back for a look (Don't we all do that? Lol!) the first thought that comes to mind is..."Hmmm...Nice truck! Too bad that it's just NOT low enough!"
I've had my black '98 for more than 10 years longer then my '97. I originally lowered that one 4/6 after owning it for 2 years. You'd think I would of known better than to go 2/4 on the '97, especially when more experienced, more knowledgeable members had fully warned me beforehand that...2/4 is not enough!!!
But, being the stubborn **** that I am, I did it anyways.
Why? We get snow here. Sometimes a fair amount. Sometimes just a skiff over the whole winter. Mostly, it's rain.
In the years that we do get a sizeable dump, my '98 is a snowplow. It's actually better in the white stuff when it's low, but it plays hell on the lower valance. So...why would I need 2 snowplows?
Thing is, the '97 is actually too nice to drive in the winter anyways! Aarrgghhh!
I found that the original 4/6 drop was an easier install than the 2/4.
On the 20's, the truck @ 2/4 looks 'donk'. (Barf!)
After having my '98 l-o-w for so many years, the '97 doesn't even appear to be lowered to my eyes.
When I do that look back, It's like..."Hmmm....Close, but no cigar!"
With the 4/7 drop my '98 is at now, I still have more ground clearance than a new Civic. That's not the problem with that amount of drop.
But there are some things that have to be done in order for it to work.
I had to roll the front inner fender lips. I did that with a hammer & dolly. That took some patience & a couple of hours. Just have to work the metal slowly. Small amounts at a time. Do not try to get them rolled to the point that the lips clear, all at once. Doing that did not screw up the paint. This was a requirement for when I'm running the 275/60-15's.
Running wheels 17" & smaller required some trimming of the lower control arms' rain-gutters. Again, just took a bit of time & there's been no adverse effects, strength-wise.
There are some other things that have to be done that are not in the flip-kit's instructions.
The box cross-member has to be notched.
Even with the shock extenders, those angles were not great. Too laid out for the shocks to work as shocks as opposed to just being near-useless levers.
I have no idea why the kit manufacturers do not include the upper shock mount relocation kit. BellTech makes that & I can't recommend it enough. For the extra $75.00 or so, the return in ride quality is worth so much more.
Get good shocks. Any of the ones such as the Nitro-drops, Nitro-slammers, the Cal-Max's or the white BellTech's are simply rebranded Doetsch shocks.
They are nothing special. Just a short version of a stock shock. Certainly not performance oriented. Too soft in compression & not tight enough in the rebound characteristics.
Short of spending cubic bucks on a set of double adjustable QA1's or slightly less on some Vikings, the BellTech Street Performers will give the best return for the money.
A rear sway bar will help tremendously. Not only will it help to make the front & rear of the vehicle work together as a cohesive unit, it will also lessen the front end from overly diving when pushing hard in the corners. The truck will behave more predictably in emergency evasive maneuvers.
At 4/6, the only problem I could see you having is with that valance.
I had an aftermarket one on mine. Not fiberglass, but one for the SS fogs.
It was much stiffer, less flexible than the OEM. I killed it within 2 years. Anything that ever touched it, whether it was one of those cement parking blocks, (oops!) or catching it at speed when going through hard suspension compressions seemed to weaken it to the point where it just died.
I ended up eliminating the fogs & that valance & re-installing the original factory one.
I could go on (& on & on & on!!!) but I have to get my ass into the shop.
If you need pix, Let me know & I'll post up what I have.
P.S. 2/4 IS NOT ENOUGH!!! Lol!
