Lowered my Lightning
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2007
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Lowered my Lightning
So I lowered my L with djm's 3/4 kit (ibeams, hangers, shackles) but it's not the stance I want just yet. It has a forward rake but I'm looking for more of a level stance. As you can see from the picture the rear is noticeably higher than the front. I measured and its roughly one inch higher.
I've searched and read I can take out the helper spring and a leaf spring to get it about one inch lower. If I did this I would c-notch the frame just to be sure I'd have sufficient travel. With the helper spring and a leaf removed and adding a c-notch would the suspension be strong enough to tow a boat. How much does removing the helper and a leaf effect the suspension? Does it make the suspension too weak to tow?
My other option is to put stock hangers and shackles back on and do the flip kit with a c-notch. This method would not effect the towing capacity since all the leafs are still in place. Which is my best option for towing? Just looking for opinions.
I've searched and read I can take out the helper spring and a leaf spring to get it about one inch lower. If I did this I would c-notch the frame just to be sure I'd have sufficient travel. With the helper spring and a leaf removed and adding a c-notch would the suspension be strong enough to tow a boat. How much does removing the helper and a leaf effect the suspension? Does it make the suspension too weak to tow?
My other option is to put stock hangers and shackles back on and do the flip kit with a c-notch. This method would not effect the towing capacity since all the leafs are still in place. Which is my best option for towing? Just looking for opinions.
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Another issue when lowered
Another issue I have experienced after lowering the truck with the DJM ibeams is the passenger side front sits around 3/4 of an inch lower than the drivers side. Any ideas on how to shim up the passenger side to raise it to match the drivers side?
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
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I like the stance and think it looks awesome! It's funny you say that about the passenger side because mine rubs and was attributing it to the body being off center. I will have to measure it on level ground. Nice truck.
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Joined: Nov 2008
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My 85 springs have a taper on the i beam side and have a grove w/clip on the body side. You could shim the I beam bolt.
Your truck might be different though.
While we are on the subject, do you know who makes springs for my year truck?
Your truck might be different though.
While we are on the subject, do you know who makes springs for my year truck?
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,052
Likes: 1
From: Jacksonville FL
Saw your post on Nloc. Looks good.
Pull the slapper bars and helper leafs and add bags in the back. www.airbagit.com
These trucks always sit like that. My 86 I did a 3/5 on also did this. Didn't bother me. You can have Coil spring specialties build you some springs to even you out. I would be looking at all your bushings and things first.
You will have to C notch with flip kit.
80-96 springs should all be the same. Ebay has some.
http://www.airbagit.com/category-s/2209.htm
Pull the slapper bars and helper leafs and add bags in the back. www.airbagit.com
These trucks always sit like that. My 86 I did a 3/5 on also did this. Didn't bother me. You can have Coil spring specialties build you some springs to even you out. I would be looking at all your bushings and things first.
You will have to C notch with flip kit.
http://www.airbagit.com/category-s/2209.htm
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 641
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From: TX
If you want it to be more level just floor it. It'll level out. Ha jk. Hey I wanted to change my front headlight assembly but I heard it's illegal to not have the amber corner on the bumper lights? If it is then how do you pass inspection?
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I'm gonna start with removing one leaf spring but leaving the helper spring and see how that goes. As for the front I was hoping to find a cheap way to level it out without having to buy new springs. I will check all the body mount bushings to make sure they look ok.
I'm not really sure about the amber lights. I am in Georgia and we do not have inspections on our vehicles. Guess we are lucky!!!
I'm not really sure about the amber lights. I am in Georgia and we do not have inspections on our vehicles. Guess we are lucky!!!
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Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,052
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From: Jacksonville FL
I'm gonna start with removing one leaf spring but leaving the helper spring and see how that goes. As for the front I was hoping to find a cheap way to level it out without having to buy new springs. I will check all the body mount bushings to make sure they look ok.
I'm not really sure about the amber lights. I am in Georgia and we do not have inspections on our vehicles. Guess we are lucky!!!
I'm not really sure about the amber lights. I am in Georgia and we do not have inspections on our vehicles. Guess we are lucky!!!
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Freshman User
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Thanks!!! It's getting to where I want it finally.
I got the rear down another 3/4 of an inch today. I removed one leaf which lowered it just a bit more. It sits almost level now so I think this is the stance I'm gonna stick with minus the sagging front passenger side. Still have to fix that. I think I'm gonna try to find some large washers at Fastenal to stack between the coil spring perch and the coil spring. Does anyone have a coil spring perch laying around they could measure to see how large of a washer I will need so it will lay flat on the spring perch?
I got the rear down another 3/4 of an inch today. I removed one leaf which lowered it just a bit more. It sits almost level now so I think this is the stance I'm gonna stick with minus the sagging front passenger side. Still have to fix that. I think I'm gonna try to find some large washers at Fastenal to stack between the coil spring perch and the coil spring. Does anyone have a coil spring perch laying around they could measure to see how large of a washer I will need so it will lay flat on the spring perch?
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,052
Likes: 1
From: Jacksonville FL
Thanks!!! It's getting to where I want it finally.
I got the rear down another 3/4 of an inch today. I removed one leaf which lowered it just a bit more. It sits almost level now so I think this is the stance I'm gonna stick with minus the sagging front passenger side. Still have to fix that. I think I'm gonna try to find some large washers at Fastenal to stack between the coil spring perch and the coil spring. Does anyone have a coil spring perch laying around they could measure to see how large of a washer I will need so it will lay flat on the spring perch?
I got the rear down another 3/4 of an inch today. I removed one leaf which lowered it just a bit more. It sits almost level now so I think this is the stance I'm gonna stick with minus the sagging front passenger side. Still have to fix that. I think I'm gonna try to find some large washers at Fastenal to stack between the coil spring perch and the coil spring. Does anyone have a coil spring perch laying around they could measure to see how large of a washer I will need so it will lay flat on the spring perch?
Thanks
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,958
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Saw your post on Nloc. Looks good.
Pull the slapper bars and helper leafs and add bags in the back. AirBagIt.com - Air Suspension Kits, Mini-Truck Parts, Sport Compact Parts! Airride, Airsprings, Towing Kits, Lambo Vertical Doors, Airbags.
These trucks always sit like that. My 86 I did a 3/5 on also did this. Didn't bother me. You can have Coil spring specialties build you some springs to even you out. I would be looking at all your bushings and things first.
You will have to C notch with flip kit.
80-96 springs should all be the same. Ebay has some.
AirBagIt.com - Air Suspension Kits, Mini-Truck Parts, Sport Compact Parts! Airride, Airsprings, Towing Kits, Lambo Vertical Doors, Airbags.
Pull the slapper bars and helper leafs and add bags in the back. AirBagIt.com - Air Suspension Kits, Mini-Truck Parts, Sport Compact Parts! Airride, Airsprings, Towing Kits, Lambo Vertical Doors, Airbags.
These trucks always sit like that. My 86 I did a 3/5 on also did this. Didn't bother me. You can have Coil spring specialties build you some springs to even you out. I would be looking at all your bushings and things first.
You will have to C notch with flip kit.
80-96 springs should all be the same. Ebay has some.
AirBagIt.com - Air Suspension Kits, Mini-Truck Parts, Sport Compact Parts! Airride, Airsprings, Towing Kits, Lambo Vertical Doors, Airbags.