So I have a 2017 Chevy Colorado that I have already installed a Belltech lowering kit for a 3/4 drop. It included an axle flip and new strut in the rear and replacement shocks for the front coilover, retaining the factory springs up front.
I'd like to lose 1 additional inch overall. For the rear that's easy, I can use a spacer since it's flipped, the intended lift would drop instead. Or I may look into an add a leaf for the stiffness increase, but that may need more planning to make sure the stiffer springs don't actually raise it instead.
What do I do with the front though? Can I just do a custom spring for that drop, or would that put the shock at risk of damage from bottoming out?
Hard to say without making measurements of your stock shock. That is probably getting pretty close to maxing it out thought.
The stock shock has 7.5" of total travel. You said the kit had new front shocks and I'll ASSume they are shorter travel. Now you would like to lower the truck another inch with shorter springs. Without knowing the exact dimensions I can't say whether you'll bottom out, or not, but I'd certainly be looking to see how much shock stroke you have left. The motion ratio will mean you probably will see less stroke loss than the amount you have lowered it, but trucks have longer travel suspensions to begin with. If you are reducing stroke and retaining a stock or near stock spring rate I'd be concerned about bottoming out.
Thanks all, I'll reach out to the manufacturer to get an idea, I know it's a shorter travel on the aftermarket ones but don't know the amount. Ideally I would like a stiffer spring rate. Great info!
I don't see how lowering the truck will lead to bottoming the shock unless you're adding bump travel. Assume that you are already using all available bump travel at some point - there's always a bump big enough.
Now, you may hit the bumpstops more often if the spring is poorly chosen. But that's just a matter of frequency and a fundamental change.
