2004 Tahoe rear ride height

[Dbucklin]

I just traded in my 1999 for a 2004 LT, the new Tahoes have a high rear height that I think looks awkward. I'm told the stance is high to allow for the weight of people in the third row seat and towing loads. Anybody know an easy way to lower the rear suspension a couple of inches without changing the coil springs? I'm thinking about trying spring clamps you can get at the local parts store, they bolt onto the coils to squeeze the springs together a couple of inches but I'm not sure how firm this may change the ride. I also ordered Rancho adjustable shocks to tune the ride. Any other solutions?

Thanks,
DB

[aero246]

Try this. There are 2 companies that make leveling kits. They are just torsion cambers with offset greater than the factory setting. One is $100 and one is $65. This brings up the front end. I would not go with spring clamps for the rear, they are for removing the spring only, unless it's something that I am not aware of. Hope these work for you. They are both on ebay but their individual sites can be found on the net.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2458897204

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2458503729

[Dbucklin]

I solved my issue if anybody is interested. To my surprise, it wasn't the stiffness of the springs or torsion bars that jacked up the ride height..it was the stock shock absorbers. The stock ones are super gas pressurized. The rear ones are so stiff that when I removed them from the truck I could not compress them with my full weight (I'm 220 lbs).
The rear of the truck dropped 2", and the front about 1/2" after I installed four Rancho 9 position adjustables (F-RS99265, R-RS99262) for $326.00. I set the shocks at #2, now the truck sits level, and it gives me a soft/smooth highway ride. If I ever do go off-road I can crank up the stiffness. For me, I'll never carry any third seat passengers or heavy loads so this worked out very well.

[akingbfd]

Does Autoride make a difference? At highway speeds does the vehicle lower itself?

[aero246]

I have no idea.

[Dbucklin]

Originally Posted by akingbfd

Does Autoride make a difference? At highway speeds does the vehicle lower itself?

My Tahoe doesn't have Autoride, I chose the standard package "Premium Ride" that has regular shocks that could be replaced with the Ranchos. The "Autoride" option as it reads from the brochure says "This suspension automatically varies the amount of shock dampening on a real time basis to isolate the vehicle from the road. Also, a rear self leveling feature helps maintain the rear suspension level with the front during heavy trailering or fully loaded conditions"