starting my drop project soon.......parts are on order

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moregrip

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got some prep work completed today:

rear liners removed and now I think I'm going to leave them off......I like being able to see all the suspension and stuff:

20160928_142630-1_zpsepgsxgkd.jpg

Also took some ride height measurements to compare to when the drop is complete:

measurements taken from the ground, center wheel, to the fender lip, lowest point in the opening

LF 36 1/4
RF 36 3/4

LR 39
RR 39 1/2

so the right side definitely sits higher than the left

about 1/2" in the front

about 1/2" in the rear



:favorites37:
 
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moregrip

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so went ahead and removed the spare tire and lowering mechanism as well (those will now stay off too), new rear measurements reflected above, going to give the rear suspension area a good bath with some simple green and a scrub brush.......I hate wrenching in dirt if I can help it (funny right)
 
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moregrip

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prep job 2 complete.....oh and my front sway bar didn't feel hollow, damn, must be getting old or something!

Be interesting driving around in the truck for the next 24hrs with no swaybars......

20160929_161723_zps2jgealcx.jpg

also ran a thread chaser on the rear sway bar nuts welded to the mount pads so the threads are good and clean for the new bolts! woot woot!
 
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moregrip

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uh yeah, truck handles like $hit without the front swaybar....steering feels sluggish, lots of additional body movement.
 
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moregrip

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going to use this bolt as a reference to mark the initial rear end position and any subsequent side to side movement:

IMG_0010_zpsq8plmemd.jpg
 
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moregrip

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ok got some updated measurements w/no front sway bar & no rear spare:

LF 36 3/4"
RF 37 1/4"

LR 38 3/4"
RR 39 3/4"


rear diff side measurements taken from rear brake caliper mounting pads:

exactly 29 7/8" from the right and left sides to the respective sides of the reference bolt using a straight edge.


fwd to aft clearance taken from rear diff cover mounting surface to center of reference bolt: 2 5/8"

Rear pinion 4.5 deg up

Trans 5 deg down

so nearly a straight line there

thats about it for the measurements, time to get started on the install......




:peace::peace::peace:
 
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moregrip

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ok ran out of daylight but here are some of the additional measurements I took:

Distance between the "lowest bottom edge of the bumpstop cup/holder" to the "bumpstop pad" on the axle:

L 6 1/4"
R 6 1/2"

Additionally the free length of both Belltech rear coil springs are 16" and the coil diameter is 13.25mm. I will measure the stockers when I get them out tomorrow morning.

As she sits now, all bolts are loose, just need to drop the axle down and swap the rear coils out.

From there I will re-measure everything and compare notes; if you haven't noticed I tend to work rather slowly; but I truly enjoy the wrenching.......well......having a badass impact gun helps too


:****:
 
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adurm

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Curious the initial drop measurements compared to settled.
 
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moregrip

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Little update, drop springs are in. At ride height the distance from lower bumpstop cup to bumpstop pad is: L 3", R 3 1/8".

Of note stock coil spring free length is 18" and is progressive in two ways. First part of the spring is 13.5mm and wound tight (lower spring rate), second part is 15.5mm and wound more openly (higher spring rate).

Rear end shifted about 1/2" to the passenger side. Pinion angle is visibly different, haven't measured yet........lunch break.
 
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moregrip

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Ok so the rear is done for now but I will have to make some adjustments because the axle is sitting about 1/4" to far back in the wheel well.....which sucks because I had all my measurements within 1/32" of each other side-to-side and front-to-back.....but hey she's well on her way!

20161001_171308_zpswhgdwnin.jpg

20161001_171341_zpsax1rjxeh.jpg
 
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moregrip

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ok, front metal freakin bumpstop ******** are off..............that was fun! NOT!!
 
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moregrip

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she's all done except the sway bars, tapping out for tonight, finish and pics in the morning!
 
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moregrip

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before pics for perspective:

FullSizeRender_zpsxttl4pyd.jpg


FullSizeRender201_zpsjausvzh8.jpg
 

Ak47bravo

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Nice! Looks awesome!!! Curious to get your feedback on the ride quality/performance.


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