Lowering 2003 Silverado

[harley rider]

I just bought a super nice 03 - the first owner dropped the back 2 inches to make the truck level. This is the step/sport side. I am 5'6" and it is still a reach for me to stand on the side and reach into the bed. Anyone out there have any (somewhat inexpensive) solutions on what is needed to drop the front and back just a little more - do Not want a Low Rider. just low enough for this short Firefighter to reach into the bed... Thanks..

[dhagg]

Originally Posted by harley rider

I just bought a super nice 03 - the first owner dropped the back 2 inches to make the truck level. This is the step/sport side. I am 5'6" and it is still a reach for me to stand on the side and reach into the bed. Anyone out there have any (somewhat inexpensive) solutions on what is needed to drop the front and back just a little more - do Not want a Low Rider. just low enough for this short Firefighter to reach into the bed... Thanks..

Now I understand there is a few years between the two but I lowered my 87 by cutting one coil off the front spring and making the hanger on the leaf spring 2 inches longer(cut and welded). I also removed two springs(It was a heavy half). It came out to a 2/4 drop. Might be one option. Good luck.

[TexasF355F1]

Never cut coils. Its a very very bad thing to do. You can get a 2/4 or 3/4 drop for relatively cheap. A 2" or 3" front drop can be done in a variety of ways. For a 2" drop the BEST WAY to go is either getting lower control arms or 2" drop spindles. For a 3" drop you can do the same thing, lower control arms, or 2" drop spindle with a 1" drop coil. To achieve a 4" drop in the rear since you already have a shackle all you need is hangers to drop it to 4". Or you can locate a factory shackle and buy a set of drop leaf springs. The two companies that I would recommend are:

-www.djmsuspension.com
-http://www.mcgaughys.com/homepage-award.html

http://www.gmfullsize.com/forum/
Also surf around the street section of the gm fullsize forum. There are plenty of threads about the different drops available. These guys know what they're talking about and will all recommend the same things I have to you.

I didn't mention Belltech, mainly b/c they have had problems with their front spindles on the new body styles ruining turning radius. It's supposedly been fixed but no one knows for sure.

I should mention that i drive a 99 Silverado with a djm 3/4 drop.