Do I have a 4/6 or a 5/7 drop

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04SVT

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The new spring pack from SD Truck Springs is in place, and the ride is much firmer. I expected to gain an inch or so in ride height, but nope... I actually dropped another 1/2 inch. But even with that, I expect that it will have fewer bottoming / bump-stop moments. I'll probably add the 1-inch lift shackle, to get a little more height in the rear.

I do have a question regarding the upper shock mount extension kit. The instructions say to remove the truck bed. Yikes... I wasn't expecting that! Can they be installed without doing so, perhaps by just lifting the bed enough to gain access? If I've got to remove the bed, I may just go for a set of LOWER extenders, which should improve the angle a bit, as well as extending shock travel - correct?

Thanks for any input anyone might have!
KM
 

Drunkcanuk

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You can probably get away just lifting one side, I haven't personally done the extensions....yet. But this I do know, taking the bed off is not a big deal. 8 bolts, filler neck screws, taillight wiring and a few grounds. I did it with myself and 2 buds. Would have been easier with 4 of us, but it was still no big deal. But those bolts have locktite on them, heat them up! I didn't realize how much a difference that made until the last few bolts.
 

sewlow

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The new spring pack from SD Truck Springs is in place, and the ride is much firmer. I expected to gain an inch or so in ride height, but nope... I actually dropped another 1/2 inch. But even with that, I expect that it will have fewer bottoming / bump-stop moments. I'll probably add the 1-inch lift shackle, to get a little more height in the rear.

I do have a question regarding the upper shock mount extension kit. The instructions say to remove the truck bed. Yikes... I wasn't expecting that! Can they be installed without doing so, perhaps by just lifting the bed enough to gain access? If I've got to remove the bed, I may just go for a set of LOWER extenders, which should improve the angle a bit, as well as extending shock travel - correct?

Thanks for any input anyone might have!
KM
I'm guessing that you're doing this on your own
Sooo...Yup. I'd lift the box just enough to get the mounts in there. Lift one side at a time.
Remove the filler neck screws.
Loosen all box>frame bolts. Remove the ones on one side. The box can be tilted with a bottle jack & then braced with some wood blocks.
Drop the box down, loosely replace the bolts on the done side & repeat for the other.

Don't have to remove the box to install the lower shock extensions.
No wonder the truck rode bad. Without the extensions those shocks must of been closer to parallel than perpendicular to the ground, doing little compressing but lots of just swinging on the mounts.

Don't know if you understood my Q about the box cross-member notch.
Another thing (!) that drop kit manufacturers fail to mention. Ya think they would have all the finer points of the job figured by now. It's been damn near 35 years already that people have been lowering these trucks!
A 6"-7" drop requires this to be done...

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04SVT

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Thanks for the info, Sew. Yes, I need to add a notch soon. I think getting a set of extenders on the lower end and the relocators on the top will help the ride significantly. I'll be working on all this in the next few days, and will report back!

I'm also adding the 1" shackle lift, to get the rear ride height back to where it was, or 1/2" higher, for more clearance.

BTW, I'm also REMOVING the Belltech spindles and adding a pair of React spindles from AZ Pro Performance, which will bring my front stance in by 1/2" and back to stock (Belltech pushes each side out 1/2", and causes wheel fitment issues). With this change I shouldn't have to worry about scrubbing the front fender wells any more - excited to get this step completed!
 

04SVT

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Cross-member notched, and 1" shackles installed. Waiting on extenders, and on the opportunity to lift the bed and install the upper shock relocators as well.

One question: has anyone used the React 2" drop spindles with the adapter for OEM brakes? I'm wondering where the washers go, between the adapter plate and the spindle? I can't see where else they would go (and the instructions don't say anything, just leave you guessing).
TIA,
KM
 

04SVT

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The React spindles are on, and I have my 1/2" clearance up front! The washers were not an issue. Everything bolts up and works great.

I also removed the bed and installed the upper shock locators. I'm glad to get the geometry back in order. Thanks for the recommendation, Sewlow!
 

04SVT

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How's the ride, now?
Did you get the lower extensions on, too?
Yes, both upper shock relocators and lower extensions. The geometry is much better now, and the ride is quite firm, especially with the new spring pack (four leafs including the helper spring). It's riding MUCH better than before!
Thanks again for all the recommendations!
 
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