Smitty's '04 GTO

iTrader: (5)

In general, I'm looking for reviews and advice on the various flip kits manufactured for our '07-current GM trucks. Is any one manufacturor of better quality or design? Are there any to stay away from? Personally, I'd prefer only those manufactured in the US of A...

More specifically, I have a Question about the design of these flip kits. I see that most of these kits move the hole for the centering pin of the spring thru bolt off-center, so as to move the axle rearward so as to not bind the driveshaft between the trans and the axle. My question is, isn't this noticable while looking at the placement of the wheel/tire in the wheelwell of the truck? By moving that centering hole in the axle saddle brackets by say .75" rearward, you're in-effect lengthening the wheelbase of the truck by .75". I should think you'd be able to see it in the way the truck sits.

I'm looking at flip kits because I've come to the conclusion that I won't be able to get any more than 3" of rear drop without it. Anybody know how far I can drop the rear using a flip kit without having to cut off the bump stop mount? I'm definitely not willing to do a C-notch, and I'd prefer to not cut off the bumpstop mount but rather replace the factory 3" tall bumpstop with a much shorter one.

Anybody running a 5" rear drop without removing the factory bumpstop mount?

Just trying to formulate what kind of a drop kit I'm gonna put under this thing come Springtime...

Any info/help would be appreciated!

slammedsilvy

iTrader: (3)

Belltech flip kit, straight out of the box. Stock shackle and hanger. I posted the picture so you can see how it looks in the wheel well. Flip kit with a lift hanger will get you a 6", (maybe 5", it's been awhile since I've looked into these). Even then I don't think you'll be able to keep the bumpstop bracket, especially if you are an extended or crew cab. I didn't have time to cut my bracket off the same day as I lowered it, and with my 7" drop, the bumpstop with bracket was only about an inch from bottoming out. My truck was unbearable to drive that week.

Smitty's '04 GTO

iTrader: (5)

^^^^ Sharp looking truck! I appreciate your reply.

It's hard to see from the shadows in the pic, but I gather from your response that you're not able to notice the rearward location of the axle with the flip kit?

Thanks for the info of clearance to the bump with your 7" Flip.

RS/SS 4.8

iTrader: (13)

When u flip ur axle if you keep the axle centered over the factory pin it actually moves your axle foward. The kit moves the axle back to factory specs length wise.

Heres a crappy shot of mine 4/7. No rear bumpstop. Havent bottomed out once and I had a whole 350 sbc on the back of it 2 months ago. Axle looks centered to me even though you cant tell in the pic.

slammedsilvy

iTrader: (3)

Understand about the shadows, but yeah, nothing I would ever notice about the axle being shifted.

Smitty's '04 GTO

iTrader: (5)

Thanks for the feedback guys...

Did you two guys with the RCSB's and the 4/7's end up doing a C-Notch?

Any input on the DJM Flip Kit? I like the way they incorperate a way to adjust pinion angle by tightening/loosening bolts on the top plate fore and aft of the axle tube. My last truck was an '06 Z71 Crew and when I dropped the rear, I had to install a 1.5* shim to correct pinion angle.

slammedsilvy

iTrader: (3)

I have neither a notch or helper bags. It takes a pretty good sized bump or dip to make mine bottom out. It only happens maybe a couple times a month. I plan to go lower, to a 6/9, in the future and at that time I'll likely notch and install helper bags.