ok, well i've been looking on some of the sites of sponsors to the right and all of them that i see have the hotchkis stuff for a 2/4 lowering. but all i see is 2" lowering springs for the front, and 4" leafs for the back to get a 2/4 drop. is this the best way to drop a truck 2/4, or is there a better way. and if there is a different way, which way is better performancewise? springs front and rear or the other way whatever it might be????? what are some of you guys that are lowered 2/4 running as far as suspension setup? and if i went with the 4" drop rear leafs, should i take out the 2" lowering shackles i have in there now just for good measure or leave them in for the extra inch or so drop they gave me?

 

Good queston. I am also looking for this same drop.

 

i'm starting to think i might get rid of some of the performance stuff sitting around i have and go crazy on appearance. ever since i got the truck the goal was all out speed, and now all of a sudden i want it to look bad ***. it's weird. m

 

I tell you what, if you do not have decent roads, I would say stay away from the Hotchkis. Sometimes I can barely stand the suspension. It actually rides real nice if the roads are halfway decent, but if you got like Vegas crappy roads, it beats the **** out of you! For handling, I believe for a bolt in kit, it is the best that you can get. I love the handling, but hate the ride. I have even considering redoing my suspension with a BellTech, or DJM kit!!!!

 

How bout 2"coils in front and 4 link in back
Ill bet that will be nice...

Add some coilovers and your set

 

If you want handling, Hotchkis all the way. While Mac's suggestion would be awesome, it's pricey.
I will be going with the Hotchkis but I have some concerns. I've read that when going with the 2/4 drop, you still get the "*** in the air" a bit, which is why I was looking for 1" coil springs for the front and the Hotchkis 4" leafs in the back. There's also the "chevy lean" issue. Some said they fix that by using Belltech adjustable shackles to level the truck out.
I dunno, if I don't get in on the Yank GP, I will be going Hotchkis 2/4 and sways with Edelbrock IAS shocks and one Belltech shackle on the passenger side dropped 1"...oh yea, and Cal tracs

 

I have the Hotchkis setup and totally agree with hodgeee's post. When I first put it on it was perfectly level then a little over a year later it started to sag a bit in the rear to the point it would bottom out very easily. I how have some slaim air bags on the rear that keep it up and help out when I tow.
So, If you want a stock like ride, just go with a DJM kit that uses lca in front and shackle/hanger in back. Also if you get the hotchkis kit, you will need to reuse your stock shackles in back.

 

Heres my 2/4 experience: I wanted to get a kit that I could put in myself reletively easy - and I wanted to get a medium between performance feel and ride quality - So i figured the coils/leafs were the way to go. Hotchkis was a bit out of the price range I was looking for and also alot of people said they rode a bit rough. So I made up my mind on Belltech b/c I had belltech stuff on a previous truck and it rode good. So then I look for the right shock. I could never make up my mind between the Belltech nitro active or nitro drop shocks - too many mixed opinions on the boards - and I had heard nothing but good reports on Doetcsh (sp) Tech shocks so I called around for the right part #, and ended up on the phone with a guy who could get me Doetcsh tech springs, shocks, and some other offbrand leafs for over $200 less than the Belltech stuff. He had told me that as far as the leafs and springs, they all come from the same manufacturer so theres really no reason to pay more. I partially believed him b/c I had seen very similar coil springs with differnt brand names on them before.......I bought in to it, ordered everything......

I dont really have a complint with the coils......but the leafs were just cheap - they were "adjustable" - meaning you could move around these metal plates from the top or bottom, which really just gave it a 'lift block' type of adjustablity like on lifted suspensions....the plates you just pile up underneath them for a "3 to 5" drop....so as I was told. Well I spent alot of time putting all this stuff in with the usual hassles that come along with it.....finally finish and lower the truck down to the ground.......the leafs lowered it about 1.5" and even less on one the right side. I was told that If i put all the plates on the bottom, it would give me a 3" drop. So obviously I'm pissed.....guy sends me out some shackles - which fixed the problem and got me down to 2-4 - but now it bottoms out easily with those 3 plates underneath the leafs.

About the shocks - a bit too rough for me - I believe you get what you pay for in the shock department - so I bought edelbrock IAS shocks and it rides good now.

Eventually I will take the time to take those plates out so It doesnt bottom out - but then I wouln't need the lowering shackles. And theres really no way of telling how much of a drop I'll get with those leafs. I may just buy some quality Belltech leafs and be done with it.

Bottom line - I'd just get Belltech leafs and coils, and get some shackles if the leafs dont go all the way to 4". I haven't had them but I think Belltech nitro drop shocks might be worth trying out for the price - considering theyre softer then most shocks. I know I said you get what you pay for - but the drop shocks (not active) sound like a softer shock that would ride better...

Sorry so long but I wanted to relay my whole experience

 

you guys should just get some HAL/QA1 shocks... 12 way adjustable.... from what i heard best you can get...

 

once my KYB shocks go away i'll be running the HALS on all sides