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Lowering 2nd Gen

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Old 12-22-2018, 11:09 AM
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Default Lowering 2nd Gen

Hiya, sorry to bother ya'll. Got a question that I couldn't find the answer to.

I have a 97 Laramie 4x4 .sitting on LT275/65R20's. What I would like to do is lower it a bit if it doesn't cost me my 1st born child (wait,, naw I can't do that ) Anyways, the front sits about 6 inches off of the tire and the rear about 8 inches. The rear does have 3 inch blocks. I'd LIKE to get it lowered to 2 to 3 inches front/back. Preferably 2 inches.

If I DO lower it, will it effect the driveshaft angles? If so, what would I need to do to correct that AND the tire size is also the question. I'd like to keep the 20's because I have aftermarket wheels which I sorta grew attached to.

All of the articles I see are lowering 2wd or adding lift kits. I'm short and my wife is even shorter. I know, "should of bought a 2wd" or "why lower a 4x4". Its me, sorry.

I am on a budget but I know to save up for projects.
 
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Old 12-22-2018, 05:29 PM
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You could replace or modify the front springs..... Might be a shop around that would do it...... Not entirely sure just what springs you would replace them with though....... and it might be easier to simply install some truck steps...... The blocks in the rear are stock. Came that way from the factory, and the bump-stops are integrated into them. Longer shackles would work in back though. (easy to swap as well, not necessarily cheap though.)

I think steps would be the easiest/cheapest route.
 
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Old 12-23-2018, 02:34 PM
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Thanks for the reply,but there has got to be a way. Also need to know about , tires , driveshaft angles, etc. So I'll just wait and research it,, somehow.
 
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Old 12-23-2018, 05:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Morty760
Thanks for the reply,but there has got to be a way. Also need to know about , tires , driveshaft angles, etc. So I'll just wait and research it,, somehow.
Lowering it won't affect driveline angles enough to cause problems. Tires will work if they don't rub.
 
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Old 12-23-2018, 07:16 PM
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Went to take one crucial measurement from my truck (2500 w/D60 front axle), and that is a distance between the axle and the bumpstop bracket. I have 2,5" leveling kit, so the distance is roughly 6,25". So in a stock form there should be about 3,75". Lower that 3", and there would be basically zero uptravel. Bumpstop bracket could be modified to gain about 1" of uptravel, but still it would be really rough driving truck.
Maybe 1500 w/D44 has more room, but I doubt it would be significantly more.
And there might be clearence issue between the axle housing and the oil pan.
 

Last edited by HeikIlm; 12-23-2018 at 07:20 PM.
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Old 12-23-2018, 07:22 PM
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Originally Posted by HeikIlm
Went to take one crucial measurement from my truck (2500 w/D60 front axle), and that is a distance between the axle and the bumpstop bracket. I have 2,5" leveling kit, so the distance is roughly 6,25". So in a stock form there should be about 3,75". Lower that 3", and there would be basically zero uptravel. Bumpstop bracket could be modified to gain about 1" of uptravel, but still it would be really rough driving truck.
Maybe 1500 w/D44 has more room, but I doubt it would be significantly more.
And there might be clearence issue between the axle housing and the oil pan.
As long as he doesn't mess with the front bump stops, I don't think the oil pan will be an issue. Besides, theres a frame member there as well.
 



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