how hard is it to install the hotchkis 2-4 drop on a 2001 silv rcsb stepside? I want to do the leaves and springs.

 

The biggest PITA for me was dropping the gas tank to get the front bolt out of the leaf spring on the drivers side. It was 3/4 full so we had to siphon it out to make it more manageable.

 

A way to get around dropping the tank is, on the drivers side spring forward bolt, is to cut the end of the bolt off with the exception of one thread, don't cut the nut, leave it tight and cut, but leave one thread sticking out the nut. This will allow you to remove the bolt without dropping the tank(you may have to fight it a little, but not drop the tank). Just make sure that you leave 1 whole thread there, and when you tighten it all back up you have one thread sticking out of the end of the bolt. oh, and put the bolt in with the nut side towards the tank for future mods, make it much easier next time.

 

I didnt drop my tank at all when I did that leaf spring. I cut the hex section off the outside of the spring bolt and just loosened the tank. Pushed it about a half an inch away from the frame and the bolt came out dam easy. The coils were the most fun. Battled the ball joints for an hour and said screw it. I just took the lower control arm loose from the frame. Was quicker and easier.

 

Can you use 2" drop shakles with the leaf springs?

 

Sure can. Just be sure to notch the frame too.

 

I am glad to know that I am not the only one who did their front springs *** backwards... I fought mine forevertrying to bust them loose and did the identical thing... the most fun part was trying to get the holes lined back up to re-attach the lower arms. I thought I was just going to set the whole truck on fire that day out of frustration.... (then I came to my senses)

 

Why would i have to notch the frame?

 

You will botom out like crazy with 6 inches of drop in the rear and no notch.... the notch allows your axle to ravel up into the frame without banging the hell out if... I know of a few who even do it with a 2/4... if you want to do leaf springs and shackles though do *** and back a favor and notch it.

 

Exactly. My truck with a 2/4 has only 1" between the bottom of the bumpstop and the axle. So a 2" shackle would make the axle and frame try to occupy the same space.