2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Need to lower a 4x4, help plz.

[I-6DZL]

As the title states i would like to get opinions and direction about lowering a 4x4. My dads truck has 285's on it and needs to be lowered about 2 to 4 inches. Truck is a '00 ext cab 4x4.



Any help is greatly appreciated.



Curtis

 

[EBottema]

take out rear blocks, have custom front springs made



erik

 

[rfcom]

If you just want to lower the rear to make it more level, you have to replace the lift blocks. I don't know about the '00's, but they may be the same as my '02 which had 4 3/4" blocks. I replaced them with 3" blocks and now it sits level when towing my trailer. If you go more than about a 2" drop you have to consider other things like pinion angle, shock length, front wheel alignment and headlight aiming. Also, don't forget shorter U-bolts. Now, lowering the front is another story. Personally, I wouldn't recommend it as it already has a short suspension travel and being a 4x4, you would have trouble with alignment due to the track bar.



Jim

 

[Joe G.]

I don't think you can lower the front end very much on a 4X4. Check your clearances between the front axle and the things above it. Why does it need to be lowered? If the problem is access for someone who has a hard time getting in and out take a look at my steps in my Reader's Rigs gallery. That's how I solved the problem for my handicapped wife.

 

[I-6DZL]

Joe G. Thank you very much (as well the others that replied) Joe hit the nail on the head. My father is 67 and loves his truck, but can't get in it very easy due to diabetes. I never thought about them steps. How hard was it to attach the steps to the frame of the truck ??



Thanks again

Curtis

 

[Joe G.]

Email me at -- email address removed -- so we can discuss it. This is not a one size fits all situation.

 

[JRagland]

I hate to admit it, but I need to lower the rear of my truck to fit in the parking garage I'm required to park in. The antenna dings against the garage's clearance bar with 265 tires and I'm about to have to get new ones and want 295 or 305s. I hope rfcom is still following this site. I wanted to know which 3" blocks he used. Autozone has some off brand blocks for $26. I don't do any towing.



Any suggestions?







Edit: The more I read this the more lame it gets. I don't have a choice though. I can't stand 265 tires anymore, too small. I feel like I should go to a meeting where people admit they have lowered there 4x4 and admit utter shame.

 

[Rattlin_Ram]

I hate to admit it, but I need to lower the rear of my truck to fit in the parking garage I'm required to park in. The antenna dings against the garage's clearance bar with 265 tires and I'm about to have to get new ones and want 295 or 305s. I hope rfcom is still following this site. I wanted to know which 3" blocks he used. Autozone has some off brand blocks for $26. I don't do any towing.



Any suggestions?







Edit: The more I read this the more lame it gets. I don't have a choice though. I can't stand 265 tires anymore, too small. I feel like I should go to a meeting where people admit they have lowered there 4x4 and admit utter shame.

LOL, how much clearance above the cab do you have? My antenna dings my garage door when I pull in, but I still have a couple inches clearance above the cab with 305's and 2" leveling lift.

 

[I-6DZL]

Why would you admit utter shame when you're 65 years old, bad diabetes, legs just aren't what they used to be, and it's a struggle to get into your 4 wheel drive pickup ??



Now i'm glad you feel shamed to lower your 4x4 just to park in a car port. But you're shame only worsens because you're putting on over sized tires and have to lower your truck to compensate. Smart... ... .



Anyhow, JoeG helped out alot.



Curtis

 

[JRagland]

Nothing was ever meant toward anyone needing a lowered truck because its physically difficult to get into because of its size. But I'm 28 and so far can climb over my if truck if needed, so lowering it goes against all of my previous goals for it.



I only have about 1 inch clearance at the back of the cab right now.

Does anyone know if a standard 3" lift block from most aftermarket companies will work?

 

[Texis]

Ok guys this is a really old thread, but I need some addition answers on the topic of lowering a 2500 4x4. I am in-and-out of various parking garages many days a week. I have already destroyed the top once due to a mis-labeled clearence sign and would like to avoid this again. There are many garages that I have to enter that make me pucker.



I am only curious about dropping the truck 1"-2" max... . but don't want to give up my 285's! Even 1" would have saved me from the last top destuction!



My truck see's 750 highway miles a week, so it's basically a road warrior. I do need the 4WD in hunting season on muddy roads and on wet boat ramps. No rocks around here, not worried about severe off-roading. I'm an old guy and no longer bang my truck around off-road... . because I need it fully functional 7 days a week!



The rear blocks are easy, cut'um. Would custom coil springs be required with the correct rate and shorter lenght? Who makes coil springs to customer specs?



I think an adjustable track bar would be required.



Thanks

 

[Road Dog]

The radio antenna is slightly higher than the cab so if the antenna clears you should be good. That's how I check.

Check the bump stops on the front. You can only drop a couple of inches before you run out of suspension. So lowering the truck isn't really an option.

 

[KSears]

one way to lower it maybe 2-3 inches would be put different tires on it, maybe 245's

 

[Texis]

I like my 285's... it's this "have your cake and eat it too" thing.



I was looking at the bump stops, only about 3" until the axle hits them... and judging by the fresh marking they appear to hit daily. So I can't see a way to do this. Unless the bump stops are longer than the need to be? It would take a considerable amount of measuring to insure that nothing would go bang with a reduced less bump stop.



Not sure this is do-able.



Thanks

 

[KSears]

another thought, get one of those foldable leg type rv step/ platforms, and carry it in the truck, folded they take up little room , mine is about 6"- 7" tall , and the platform are is about14x18, plenty of room to feel safe stepping up or down on it.

 

[Texis]

I did give the front end a good once over today, it could be lowered by 1"-1 1/2" without issue.



The axle clearence to the oil pan is around 5"... . the bump stops clearence is 2". So cutting the bump stop down by 1" and using a 1" shorter spring pack would have no effect on the suspension's travel, or create any clearence issues.



The rear is easy. Food for thought.