Modifications needed if lowered???

[Chevy_girl00]

i am planning on getting 20 inch rims for my 2000 Silverado and i think im gonna drop the front and back ends by 2- 4 inches. if i do, will i need to get any modifications done?? someone told me that any lifting or lowering will mess with my suspension... is that true?? do i need to get anything else done if i do lower it?? help!!

[Shortbus]

I went with a westin 2" lowering kit for the rear only. I just wanted to even the look of the stance out and then see what it looks like with 20"s which I have yet to purchase. After lowering the rear only 2" I noticed a bumpier ride out of the back end so the suspension shop advised me to get shorter shocks on the rear.

Most 2 4 kits are complete with everything you need. I haven't heard of the silverados needing anything special to put 20"s on some tahoes yukons and suburbans are a different story though.

[Chevy_girl00]

i just want to lower it a little bit so that the space between the tire and the truck isn't gaping and doesn't look funny. i want the back end to still be a little higher than the front. so i don't need new brakes or anything??

[Chevy_girl00]

okay but since you only lowered the back isn't that different?? i mean i want to lower both front and back equal amounts so that the back is still higher than the front. would that mess with the suspension or anything?? enough to have to get different shocks?? i like how the ride feels right now and want it to still be a smooth ride. what can i do to keep it that way???

[Willys33]

Chevygirl, I have a 2000 Silverado extended cab, short bed. It's been as low as 4"-6" and is currently at 2"-2". I had it at 2"-4" but the rear end looked too low. Moved it back up to a 2" drop and the truck has a slight rake to it. Make sure that you ask, whoever you get your parts from,about shimming the rear end. That's where most vibration problems come from. My truck rides and handles great. I can't help you on the 20" wheels though.I'm running the stock 16"ers. Mike

[TexasF355F1]

None at all. With a 2/4 you can get a set of 275/45/20 easily under the fenders. I've got a 3/4 with 275/35/20 and still have a enough room to move up to a 40 series tire. With a 2/4 drop you can still use factory shocks, but most kits either come with new drop shocks or include new drop shock mounts so you can use factory shocks in the rear. I have factory shocks in the front and air shocks in the back. But I would advise to stay away from the air shocks as I hate them with a passion.

[Willys33]

Jason, What is it that you don't like about the airshocks? I have NitroActives all around and they ride great. I was considering the Airlift bags for a little more load-carrying capacity but, I don't think they'll work with the C notches in my frame. That's why i considered airshocks. I'd like your opinion on them. Chevygirl, sorry to highjack your thread. Mike

[TexasF355F1]

I'm sort of confused. Can you fill the Nitro Actives with air? I'm just not happy with them. Never have been. I just feel they are too bouncy even more so in the last few months. It's time for new shocks and plan on getting Belltech Nitro's soon. I just have to coordinate something with my friend that I can get to put them on for practically free. I could do it, but don't have the great air tools and jacks/ jack stands he has.

As for the Air Lift bags, I see no problem with them. I would think they would work, but I'm not 100% sure. Even though you wont use them all the time, they will work far better and give a better ride than air shocks, imo. As Willys said, sorry to hijack the thread.

[Willys33]

Jason, The NitroActive shocks are just a step up from the regular Nitro-drop shocks. They aren't air shocks. Bell-Tech sells them.
As far as the AirLift bags, I helped install a pair on a friends 2003 and it doesn't look like the top bracket will work since my frame is C'd. I was just curious about your airshock experience. Pretty much what I thought when you said they were too bouncy.
Maybe I'll just beef up the springs. Thanks, Mike