Okay I am new to lowering, but I am a good mechanic. I am looking into doing a 4/6 drop with DJM control arms and a flip kit with a c-notch. How easy is this to do....also do I need new shocks? front or rear? Any help would be appreciated......

 

Very easy to do. Use stock shocks in the front and doetsch tech or air shocks in the back.

 

I'd do shocks on the front anyway specially if they're blown, but just my opinion. the only part I see being hard is the notch, but thats kinda self explainitory. The control arms u just gotta pop the tie rod and ball joints loose and take the spring out.. preferably with a compressor, and then replace the control arm(s). Not too bad. I liked doing spindles cuz no alignment problems, but to each his own. Shouldnt be too bad tho

 

the DJM arms are designed to used stock shocks in the front. you'll be fine with them like mark said.

 

okay maybe I was wrong but I was told that with control arms I would not have trouble aligning the truck and it would retain factory suspention geometry?

 

I have the same drop your wanting to do. 1. stock shocks will work in the front but mine didn't last to long. Running belltech nitro-actives now and very happy with ride and performance. 2. Had mine aligned after and it was dead on. 3. With control arm drops bump steer can rear it's ugly head do to the stress put on the tie rod ends, mine isn't to bad but they also make a tie rod end flip kit which I hear helps alot athough I don't have one yet. 3. belltech has a spring rubber that you put under the driver side coil to fix the driver side from sitting lower as alot of gm's do, it's only like 30 bucks and well worth it. 4. Install is pretty easy, I would reccomend removing the bed if you don't have a lift, I did mine in the garage with jackstands. Ball joints on the control arm can be a pain to break free sometimes, one of mine popped right out and the other was just plain stubborn.

 

Not difficult, but a little time consuming. I had never done any suspension work before and only got hung up a few times, nothing really to do with the drop kit itself though or the components it was replacing. If you are handy and know what your doing, its not hard at all.

Yes stock shocks will still work up front, mine lasted a long time, and are still usable, but I upgraded to some QA1 12 way adjustables. The rear will need new shocks though, and I suggest getting another shock extender as the kit only comes with one. The shock extender will put the shock at the correct angle so it works right.

As for alignment, every truck is different. Some can't get aligned within spec, but others can. Like said above, mine aligned no problem. If you do have alignment issues, DJM sells a camber kit, or the upper control arms which should fix the negative camber issues.

And with bumpsteer, like said above, it is said to become more noticable, but I really can't tell a difference in my truck.

I did mine in a garage on jackstands and had no problems leaving the bed on, but some just prefer the extra room. When doing the notch, make sure you support both in front of the notch and behind it so the frame doesn't bend. With the bed still on, you will have some extra support. There was a thread I created a few years ago that had some good info in it that I will try to find about the install.


Edit: Here is the thread I started
https://www.performancetrucks.net/fo...d.php?t=185110

 

i got the djm upper and lower control arms on mine, i love them they ride really nice. i had one bump installing them, i had to drill the hole in the spindle like .030 of a inch bigger in the small side. It all might be though because i bought them used and then put in new ball joints. it wasnt by any means a problem though. as for the flip kit go with belltech its a way better, thought out nicer product, its like 100 bucks more though. take the bed off it will make your life easier and cut one frame a time and you'll be fine.

 

You guys rock! I appreciate all the help! I am looking into the 4/6 but now I am wondering about the 5/7 so....... I am srill a little up in the air but I will post pics when I decide

 

5/7 drop looks so good, but you have to drive in a area thats pretty smooth. Most places arent like that. There was a guy here with a GMC with a 5/7 drop but I havent seen him on for awhile.