Newbie with newbie questions

[Uncle Ben]

Hi, just wanted to introduce myself and ask a few questions to people who have been there and done that. I’ve done quite a bit of reading on the forums and haven’t quite been able to find what I was looking for.

I just recently picked up a 97 extended cab. I decided I wanted a little better handling and slightly lower stance. A 2/4 drop seemed to fit the bill perfectly. I also plan on adding a rear sway bar from a suburban/Yukon.

I picked up a Belltech hanger and shackle 4” drop kit, as well as djm 2” drop spindles. Also rear Belltech upper shock extensions, and lastly a front and rear set of Belltech street performance shocks.

My main question is, should I C notch the frame? I do like to use my truck to haul me and my wife’s motorcycles. So I can sometimes have 800+ lbs in the box of the truck. After I do the 4” drop, i’m Concerned that I will be hitting the frame over small bumps and such. Any advice or experience on the matter would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again.


Ben


Apologies for the lengthy post :/

 

[Uncle Ben]

Here she is. The running boards are going as well. If anyone is close (alberta) and wants them, let me know.

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[RichLo]

Welcome! I cant help with the lowered question, but that truck is in amazing shape!! Especially for a Canadian truck! has that thing ever seen a snowflake before?

 

[Uncle Ben]

Welcome! I cant help with the lowered question, but that truck is in amazing shape!! Especially for a Canadian truck! has that thing ever seen a snowflake before?

It was a one owner truck with 100,000kms (60,000miles) and I think it was only used in the summer to pull a trailer.

 

[Gavin]

I wouldn't think it'd hurt anything if you notched the frame. I had the same concern; I did the 4" drop but went with bigger leaf springs. Can't speak to the ride and handling yet, it's still a ways from being on the road.

 

[Uncle Ben]

Well I went ahead and bought the C notch. Figure it can’t hurt to have more clearance. And if I ever want to go lower I can.

After working on it all weekend I just have to get some new U bolts and I can have the back end finished up. Then tackle the front end next weekend.

 

[Uncle Ben]

The Belltech kit required a little bit of xtra work, not mentioned in the instructions to get things like the front hanger and upper shock mounts to work. A little bit more work than I expected.

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[Uncle Ben]

Almost all done. Just the rear sway bar to do, then on to the front spindles.

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Also decided to do a driveline correction kit to keep it as vibration free as possible.

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[Uncle Ben]

Rear sway bar installed

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[someotherguy]

Boy that's gonna be a lot of work to un-do when you realize you wanted more drop and shoulda just flipped it to start with.

Richard