GMT 900 Trucks General Discussion 2007 - 2013 Trucks | General Discussion

lowering problems

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Old Aug 28, 2010 | 11:14 AM
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Trying to lower my 08 4x4. I started out with McGaughy's spindles, flip kit, and lift hangers which is 2/4 or 2/5 depending on which holes you use on the lift hangers. Installed and the rear is about 1 1/2" low in the rear with lift hanger in 4" holes. Looks like I've got a ton of rock in the bed, sags.... So I found a used set of McGaughy's helper bags. Was told by a vendor that these bags would work but need to have rear hanger set at 5" drop in the rear. Did that and installed bags. The only way I can get them bolted is to lower truck on the ground otherwise they won't reach. If I put it on the hoist the bags are going to rip apart with them like this. Anyway they are installed and to get it level I need 65-70psi in them. Of course it rides like "***" now. This would be my first lowering kit I've done. School me on what I need to do. I was thinking of dropping front another inch with coil relocators, as long as 4x4 front will accept it. The other thing I thought of was seeing if I can find longer replacement bags to stick in rear and set lift hangers at 4" and decrease bag pressure. What do you think?
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Old Aug 28, 2010 | 11:22 AM
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I also have a set of TBSS wheels that I will be installing. I'm worried about the helper bag mounts rubbing on the tires or wheels. Wheels are just 1/2" wider but not for sure of offset on stock wheels. New wheels are +25.

Thinking about ripped all the **** off, returning to stock, and selling the crap.
Looks like a
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Old Aug 28, 2010 | 11:33 AM
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I think a flip kit is a bit much for a 4x4 with front spindles only..IMO remove the flip kit,sell it and run shackles/hangers with the helprer bags at a lower psi...Dont give up..just switch the rear around..
-No on the taller bags as well..just do it like I said and you will be happy
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Old Aug 28, 2010 | 11:49 AM
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Originally Posted by RibeiroBJJ
I think a flip kit is a bit much for a 4x4 with front spindles only..IMO remove the flip kit,sell it and run shackles/hangers with the helprer bags at a lower psi...Dont give up..just switch the rear around..
-No on the taller bags as well..just do it like I said and you will be happy
I don't think the bags will work unless the rear is a 6-7" drop.
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Old Aug 28, 2010 | 01:02 PM
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did the lift hanger flip the orientation of the shackle? If it did then you can run a 2" drop shackle to lift the rear 2" back up

edit: take some pics of the hangers and helper bags you are working with. That will help us come up with a solution for you
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Old Aug 28, 2010 | 01:09 PM
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It did flip the shackle mount over. Stock the receiving open part of shackle was up. Now the open part of shackle it now down. I'll see what I can do on pictures. After reading alot of guys don't recommend a different shackle or longer one. Why?
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Old Aug 28, 2010 | 06:31 PM
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Since McGaughy's looks like they recommend helper bags from 6-7" drop without a C notch. I'm 5" now so they would be too short. What if I set the rear at 4" and put a 2" airbag spacer in there? I would have my extra inch or so without having to run 65psi.
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Old Aug 28, 2010 | 11:34 PM
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Keep the flip in the rear and play with different shackle combos..... Thats what I did with my 02 NBS Ram 1500 with a McGaughys kit as well.....I fielded one of there first kits for a "4x4" Mine ran issue free for years....

It turned out being 2.5/4.5" drop fronts were spindle and a little love with the torsion keys.

rear was a flip kit and different shackles. It was about a 5.5" drop but that was too much.

GL with finding a set up that works! Dont give it up just yet....
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Old Aug 29, 2010 | 10:56 AM
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Originally Posted by scooter k
Since McGaughy's looks like they recommend helper bags from 6-7" drop without a C notch. I'm 5" now so they would be too short. What if I set the rear at 4" and put a 2" airbag spacer in there? I would have my extra inch or so without having to run 65psi.
thats why I said take some pics... You may be able to run a spacer or just locate the bracket lower on the frame for the bags. But noone here is going to be able to give you an accurate solution without seeing the parts you are working with.

IMO helper bags should only be for setting the ride height when you have a load on the truck. Bags should be at 0psi or very low when driving everyday. Otherwise the bags are a bandaid for an improperly setup suspension and they will make it ride like crap.
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Old Aug 29, 2010 | 11:51 AM
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Run a 2" adjustable drop shackle. Since the shackle orientation is flipped, the "drop" shackle will lift the truck either 1" or 2" depending on which shackle hole you use.
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