Chevrolet Silverado: Lowering Modifications
Lowering your truck provides you with unique styling options and increased performance. The end result may be a slight drop to level the front and rear, or a more extreme drop that barely leaves clearance between the tires and fenders.
This article applies to the Chevrolet Silverado GMT800, GMT900, and K2XX (1999-Present).
We all have a different interpretation of how we want our vehicles to look, ride and handle. Fortunately, the aftermarket has responded accordingly for the Chevy Silverado. You can lift your truck into the clouds, slam it into the weeds, or go nuts and build a corner carving back road burner. If you are part of the "body roll is the enemy, and we must vanquish it" camp, then lower, stiffer suspension setups can be your saving grace. Designed to drop your truck down to stock car racer height, lowering kits can give your truck the look you're shooting for.
Typically, more components and, in some cases, fabrication/modification will be required when installing lowering kits past three inches. These kits may include a rear axle flip kit, custom drop spindles, and new coil springs. New shocks designed for the lowered ride height may also be included. Obtaining a two inch drop is easier. This can generally be done with a drop spindle in the front along with adjustable shackles in the rear. Torsion springs is also an option for owners with four wheel drive looking for a mild drop.
Options to lower the front of your Silverado include drop spindles and new coil springs. To lower the rear, your options include axle flip kits, shackle and hanger kits, as well as torsion keys. For kits that provide drops of greater than two inches, shocks are generally included.
Front Suspension
Drop Spindles
DIY Cost – $200-$300
Professional Cost – $300 for labor
Skill Level – Hard; requires removal of suspension components. Experience with suspension systems is suggested.
Unlike coil springs and control arms, drop spindles do not cause alignment issues. BellTech makes a well reviewed drop spindle kit that is backed by a lifetime warranty. Their spindles are precision machined and made in the U.S.A. Mcgaugy's also makes a drop spindle kit. They also include a limited limfetime warranty. Some 17" wheels do not provide enough clearance for these to fit. The stock 17" wheels will work with slight modification. Recommended because it does not cause an alignment issue.
Coil Springs
DIY Cost – $150-$250
Professional Cost – $200-$300 for labor
Skill Level – Hard; must be able to use a spring compressor.
Coil springs not only lower the front of your truck, but they improve its handling. Front alignment angles are changed when only using coil springs, so an alignment will be needed. Eibach makes a great coil spring kit for the Silverado. Their coil springs are backed by a million-mile warranty, and the high strength alloy steel is winded using a CNC process. Recommended for its improved handling.
Rear Suspension
Flip Kits
DIY Cost – $150-$250
Professional Cost – $200-$300 for labor
Skill Level – Hard; drilling and cutting is usually required.
Flip kits move your rear axle above the leaf springs. This requires cutting a slot in your frame rail to provide clearance for the axle. Flip kits can lower the rear of your truck as much as seven inches. DJM Suspension makes a well reviewed flip kit. Their kit comes with a lifetime warranty and is constructed from thick, heavy-duty steel. Recommended for drivers who want to lower their truck seven inches.
Shackle and Hanger Kits
DIY Cost – $100-$250
Professional Cost – $200-$300 for labor
Skill Level – Moderate; requires removal of suspension components. Experience with truck suspension systems is helpful.
Shackle and hanger kits replace your factory front leaf spring hanger mounts. The shackles allow for leaf spring adjustability. Most Silverados have hanger mounts that are riveted to the frame. These must be cut, and then the new mounts can be bolted in place. DJM and BellTech both make quality shackle and hanger kits. DJM manufactures their kits with computer assistance for consistancy and come with a limited lifetime warranty. BellTech's shackle and hanger kits provide up to five inches of drop. They also back their product with a limited lifetime warranty. Recommended for drivers who want to replace their truck's factory front spring hanger mounts.
Torsion Keys
DIY Cost – $100-$150
Professional Cost – $100-$200 for labor
Skill Level – Moderate; some experience with 4x4 suspension systems is helpful.
Torsion keys change the amount of torsion on the bars, allowing the suspension to rest at a lower position. Although torsion keys are the cheapest method to lower your Silverado, they will have an effect on ride quality. Torsion keys are only used on Silverados with four wheel drive. BellTech and Mcgaughy's both make torsion keys that will drop the front of your Silverado between one and two inches. Some models have keys that allow up to three inches of drop. BellTech offers a limted lifetime warranty on their torsion keys, while Mcgaughy's offers a one year warranty. Recommended for four wheel drive trucks.
(Related Article: Chevrolet Silverado 1999-2006: How to Replace Torsion Bar Keys - ChevroletForum.com)
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