Ride Height Sensors on 3" Drop
 

I'm helping a buddy install a lowering kit on his '05 Denali, and he bought a used McGaughy's 3/2 kit but the guy didn't include the shortened ride height sensors. I've read that some people have shortened the original sensors by simply cutting them in the middle, taking a bit off each side, and then gluing them back together. I think that might be the route we'll go, but I don't know how short to make them. Does anyone know the proper length for the sensors with a 3" drop?

Also, we're getting rid of the Autoride system and going with Bilstein HD shocks all the way around. So do those sensors even matter if we're ditching the Autoride? And if they will become irrelevant then should I just leave them at the stock length, or should I still shorten them?

The other option I was thinking of doing was going to a hardware store and looking for a turnbuckle type setup with threaded ends that are the same size as the ride height sensors, and that way I'll be able to adjust it as needed. Anyone ever try that?

Thanks in advance...

I did the 3/5 on my denali and pulled the fuse for the autoride. I left all the components alone if I want to go back to stock. If you doing the 2/3 I would keep the auto ride get shock extenders for the rear and make your own sensors. Some one did I good write up somewhere about how you figure out how much to shorten the sensors. I'll see if I can find it

Just Google "autoride sensors shorten "there's a bunch of info

He's putting in Bilstein HD shocks so he can't keep the Autoride because you need special shocks for that, don't you? And if he's not keeping Autoride and we're popping the fuses out then do those sensors even matter? Just not sure if they are used for any other system in the truck.

And I did previously find several tutorials on how to shorten the bars, I just wan't sure how short to make them for a 3" drop.

Sensors don't matter if the OE auto damping shocks are removed. Yank the fuses and pull the height sensor arms off. You may get a SVC ride control on the DIC but not sure.

Perfect, thanks! We'll just yank the fuses and remove the sensor rods and not mess with anything else. Although we'll probably rip out the compressor too, no sense in carrying around that dead weight.

And from what I've read, as long as the fuses are pulled I don't think he will get a light.

You will be seeing Service Ride Control in the DIC if you pull the fuses or disconnect the electronic shocks. You will be needing some special parts to disable the ride control system, call these guys and see if they will sell them independently of their full kits:

https://www.arnottindustries.com/

I just followed the instructions I found in this forum and disconnected the battery, waited a few minutes, pulled the 30A fuse for the autoride, hooked the battery back up, started the car, and...... no error messages! Been back on the road for 3 days and still fine. :D

Good luck. That seemed to work on mine until the truck attempted to modulate shock stiffness for tow/haul. :hmmm:

Do you mean when you push the tow/haul button? Or just when you tried to tow something? Because I have driven it with the tow/haul button on (which was reprogrammed with a Wester's tune to make it more of a "sport" mode), but haven't tried towing with it yet.