Okay, I'm ready I think to go with a 2/4 drop.

I've been looking at the McGaughy's stuff. Are their kits considered the best for our trucks? Also, coils versus spindles up front, are the coils a significant disadvantage? Cost seems to be about $150 cheaper with the coils.

Finally, how hard is the install on this? My only real concern is all the rust making things difficult...

 

Rust is like herpes once you get it there is noooooo getting rid of it.

 

The front won't be a big deal either way you go... I actually preferred the spring drop vs spindles since it firms up the front end and makes handling a bit better.... Nothing dramatic but it's progress I guess...

The rear I'm guessing will be done with shackles and hangers? You'll have to chisel/grind/cut/knock the rivets out of the rear frame rails ( I can see the rust being an issue here possibly) then bolt the new pieces back on... I dont honestly think any company's rear drop components are better than anyone else's shackle/hanger wise... Flip kits are a different story... The shackles are pretty straight forward.

I'm considering a flip kit and lift shackle for a 4/4.5" drop instead of the usual shackle/hanger setup... I'll be notched as well if I go any more than 2"...

 

Yeah, the kit comes with coils/shackles/hangers

I know the rust is going to be a problem. I've tried installing shackles in the back before, and I couldn't get the bolts out from the stock shackles. I had a long breaker bar on them and all they were doing was the bolt itself was twisting. The shackles of course are completely rusted and I think the bolt was rusted to them or something inside. So I think the bed will have to be removed so I can hammer the bolts out. Although, I'm assuming installing the rear components would be easier with the bed off anyways.

 

Oh, and I actually wanted the 4/6 drop, but I'm not interested in a C-notch at this time...

 

Yeah, pulling the bed takes about 20 minutes and will make life much easier

 

If you go with spindles in the front, you will lose some turning radius, like in a parking lot. From what I've seen pics of, the Belltech spindles are higher quality than the McGaughy's BTW. If I were 2wd, I'd do springs up front, and either shackles/hangers or springs in the rear. I loved the way tdrumm's 04 RCSB rode with the Hotchkis TVS kit in it, which uses different rear leaf springs as opposed to say shackles/hangers.

Didn't you try doing shackles a few years ago and have big rust issues on the leaf spring bolts? As mentioned, you can probably remedy that with the bed off

 

bump for you, im looking at a 2/4 drop as well. what size rim/tire setup do you have?

 

Bell Tech's 3/4 drop was a nice install. The rivets are the hardest part of the whole thing. I cut a cross in the head of them then hit them with a air hammer. Rust will not be a problem with your hangers. Get new bolts for your shackles and just cut the head off of the old ones. clean up and paint everything when done for a nice install. Wrap Aluminum foil around things you don't want painted.

Here is a pic of my old truck. 2004 RCSB 3/4 drop on 275/60-17s

 

Ben, what are advantage(s) of flip kit & lift shackle vs usual shackle / hanger u mentioned? Just curious. Does it ride smoother or handle better?

Didn't Tom say in yer Sway Bar thread he only had Hotchkis coils not whole TVS kit?
And as Mike mentioned in post #4, yes he did!!!

Got any other pics, like a few from the side & rear of truck? Looks good.