Hey guys, I currently have a lifted 2wd that I'm wanting to drop down. this truck will be seeing alot more track time and as is, traction is a major issue. My problem is I added 2.5" addaleafs when I did the lift. It rides great and has down well for my towing needs and I would like to retain this if possible. My first question is, how do lowering shackles effect ride/traction. Secondly, What exactly do I loose by removing the overload leaf? If I were to keep the addaleaf and remove the overload and run spring clamps could I have the best of both worlds? (no axle wrap and yet still maintain my higher towing capacity)

I'm new to the street truck/ lowering scene and I'm lost! thanks for any input,

clint

 

I cant answer any of the other questions as I dong have experience with the add a leafs buy I have 2" beltech shackles on mine and it did not affect the ride quality at all as far as I can tell. Not sure about traction as I dont have much problem with that in the first place.

Hopefully somebody can tell you about removing the overload springs, I know it has been done by several people on here.

 

I would definitely do the shackles, i just installed some on my cousins RCSB stepside gmc. it is completely stock, and it helped with weight transfer, with more weight over his axel it rides smoother.
have you thought about helper bags, they are not too expensive and that way you could get rid of the addaleafs, then you would be level.

 

I have thought about the healper bags, I'm really not against them I just havent seen a clean setup and I'm in no big hurry to ghetto rig my stuff you know? I'm really torn between the shackles and pulling the overload/running air bags and spring clamps or long bars....

 

How low do you want to go, what are you doing with the front end?

 

At this point I just want to go bak to stock height with hope of a level 2" drop some day. I plan to keep my 3" lift spindles for a while since I do still use it as a truck but I'm pulling out the 2" coil spacers and lowering the rear 2". it sits level with a 5/2 lift as is:


265/70 in the pic^^^

I'm currently running 285/60 17's and I love the look but theres just too much fender gap.

 

imo i always thought long beds look better lifted than lowered, i would say just put some meatier tires on there and take care of the fender gap, but that wouldn't help you hook at all

 

Ya, I did the lifted thing with 285/75 mud tires. I've had my fun and now I'm just trying to make my truck nice again/be able to hook.

 

anybody have any other ideas or opinions?

 

I have 2'in shackles Drop and Airlift rear helper bags.With the shackles drop the ride feels better,I have had no lost traction.And with the rear bags,Went the road get rough I just add some air and it smooths the ride out.They also have been great with towing my boat.Overall for me,One of the best mods of put on my Truck.Hope this helps you