I've got a 2010 f150 4wd with worn out shocks. New shocks look to be about $300 for non bargain basement choices. But I really think the truck would be much improved if it were a bit lower. So looking around quickly finds Belltech (part of KW) kits to lower the truck 2 inches in front and 3ish in back, including all new shocks all around and the kits are like $425 or so. Shackles in the rear and new struts up front.
The primary purpose of me having the truck is for truck stuff. Towing, putting stuff in the bed, etc. I don't really go offroad other than up a gravel road to the boat slip or something. Being a bit lower would be excellent for using the bed. Being a bit lower would be awesome for getting in and out, doubly so for my wife and kids.
But, I use the truck, so I don't want to hamper what it already does really well. Will a kit like this make the truck worse for something like towing?
Full air ride! Look at how low that load floor is! You can drive a lawn mower ride up in there.
Just kidding. I have nothing valuable to add.
I went 2/4 on my 2wd 95 c1500. Belltech makes good stuff.
That mild of a lowering generally doesn't impact truck stuff. Its pretty much the zweet spot.
Call belltech tech line and double check with them, but im reasonably certain that the payload capacity will not change at all.
It won't necessarily hurt anything to lower it, but it's probably going to be more than just shackles in the back. Every time I've towed with something that just had shackles, it was too soft and bottomed out constantly. Most lowered trucks have no travel left; I ended up around 3" loaded before my ride quality came back. Most stock shocks are not stiff enough to control a heavy truck with maybe 6 inches of total travel, so you may need to do some custom valving for it to perform well. I don't know anything about the strut front end on those and what belltech has done to make sure you have travel, but I thought their basic shocks were way too soft in my application. I think they still have a premium shock option, but I have no experience with those.
My '77 C10 has a flip kit on Big-10 leafs, spindles, cut 1-ton springs, and a c-notch (pipe notch). It's about a 5/6 drop.
It can still carry 1000lbs without being completely bottomed out, though it's VERY close. I've carried 1700lbs and drove very gently home with it.
My '61 Apache will be full air ride, which takes care of the looks/function perfectly.
parker
Reader
10/29/21 10:40 a.m.
Nothing to add but I'm shocked at how tall trucks are today. I walked by a GMC Sierra the other day and the top of the bed came to my shoulder. I'm 6' 3". How is that useful for anything?
In reply to parker :
Most likely cheating new pedestrian and crash safety standards the cheapest way possible.
I took a 2" spacer out between the springs and differential, and wound the torsion bar springs on the front down, which basically brings it to normal 2wd height on my 2000 Silverado. I'd bet there is a spacer you can lose on the back, to get it down a bit.
I put McGaughy's 2" drop spindles and adjusted the torsion bars a little in the front of my '01 GMC Sierra C3 (full time AWD), removed the factory 2" blocks between the leaf springs and axle, and installed Velvet-Ride shackles in the rear. Retained the factory ride, dropped it down about 3" in the front and 4" in the rear. Gave it a nice mild rake and hasn't affected the load capacity that I've noticed, been that way for over 10 years.
This is good info. Thanks all.
May try to call belltech but I think I might be going this direction.
