Okay, I realize this topic has been discussed before, and I've been around long enough to know how to use the search feature... However, most of the information I found was jumbled or contradictory, and most threads turned into flame wars... So here I am asking for help from some of the more knowledgable users...

Just to answer questions up front that I'm sure will be asked later in the thread;

The truck is a 2005 HEMI Q/C S/B 4x4 SLT/Laramie... I live in Canada, and I got the 4x4 for traction in winter, I'm not a huge off-road fan... Sure it's fun, and I've admittedly gotten my baby muddy on more than one occasion, but...

#1 My wife has complained about how hard it is to climb into the truck from the first day I brought it home from the dealer...
#2 With my new rims I think lowering it a little would add to the sleek look of the truck...

The way I see it, I could spend money on step-bars to keep my wife happy, but I'd rather kill two birds with one stone, and spend the money on getting it lowered instead...
As long as my front and rear bumper are higher than the bottom of the differentials, I'm not at all worried about clearance...

Here is a picture I photoshopped, I think it looks sweet!!

But my questions are concering what I need to lower the truck, and not have it handle like crap... I've never seen lowering hardware before... My first thought was to just invert the rear leaf springs and crank the torsion bars DOWN in front??


[IMG]local://upfiles/9346/9F8E05A2C9D44AEAB80E6BC4F63A3A92.jpg[/IMG]

 

I just installed a McGaughty's Deluxe 2/4 drop and it was not hard. Spindles in the front and rear flip kit for the rear. It took me about 4 hours to do this and change the shocks. It handles great!! Lower to the ground it feels like it handles better than stock. There was no need to crank the torsion bars down. I bought my kit for my 4x4 through Brian at slammed1 suspensions. Slammed1.com. Check out what he has. Here is a pic of the finished product(don't mind the datestamp, the pic was taken only a couple weeks ago.)

[IMG]local://upfiles/29179/3D18A71FEB8F4DCDA08993B3922330CE.jpg[/IMG]

 

Maybe it's just me, but the back looks lower than the front...

But that's pretty much the height I'm looking for, I don't suppose you took any pictures of the parts before you installed them? Or pics during the install process??

 

buy a kit like that guys, cranking the torsion bars will make it ride worse. some may disagree but i have ridden in trucks that have been lowered and lifted using torsion bar adjustments and it sucks. as for that picture looking as if the rear is lower, i think the picture was taken on an angle or something because that 2-4 lowering is pretty common.

 

No,I don't have any pictures of the parts. All that there is 2 new spindles, 2 drop shackles, bumpstops, new leaf spring brackets, and shock extenders so you can use stock length shocks. Thats about it I think. And you are right, the front is higher in that pic than the rear. I adjusted the torsions when I first got the truck and never took it back to stock height. The kit goes on stock height. I adjusted the torsions and now it is level.

 

...I did mine with the McGaughy's 2/4 deluxe kit too.... just remember to have a 4lb hammer handy...the spindles were a biotch to remove with a claw hammer but only a few minutes with the big hammer.. i did the install myself but a second pair of hands could have made my rear flip a little easier...it rides way better than stock...almost like a sports car feel although i also installed air-assists bags as well...

 

I think you guys are over looking something. I would bet that the front spindles on his 4x4 are not the same as the drop spindles on most drop kits. Remember you can only go so low, until you have issues clearing the CV shaft axle between the 2 control arms up front. Just my $.02

 

I would have to agree with motorhead 426. Altering your driveline on a 4x4 is alot different than on a 4x2. Changing that angle into your transfer case may do more harm than good. Just because there company's that sell these drop kits for 4x4's doesnt mean that they are suggested for the vehicle. I would really suggest doing your research on this. Also you might want to look at some running boards that will assist in your wife getting into the vehicle. The second you put a socket to that suspension your warranty is no good. Now you stated that you have gotten her muddy and you need the traction for up there in the land of canada again you may in fact lose that flex that you may need. Alot of company's out there look at most people who spend $30,000 plus for 4x4's and make all these swoopy little kits because they know the masses will not really ever put them into four wheel drive. Have you ever seen an Escalade off road. Again just my opinion keep your functionality of the 4x4 that you bought it for and spend your money on gas and running boards that will be lower that your rocker panels so your wife can get inside. I think you will be happy that way, plus you keep your warranty in tact. I hope this helps plaese let us know how it goes for you.