TOP 10 QUESTIONS ABOUT LOWERED TRUCKS

Lucky for You We’re Here to Help!

When thinking about lowering your truck, it’s understandable that you’d have some questions about what’s involved, as well as how to handle any problems that may present themselves after the fact. If it’s your first foray into the world of slammed trucks, you might be anxious making such a huge change to your ride, but lucky for you we’re here to help!

We’ve compiled 10 of the most common questions we get about lowered trucks, along with our thoughts on each. Hopefully they’ll help put your mind at ease when it’s time to drop your own truck and will get you hyped up about living the low life!

1. Can a lowered truck still tow?

Of course! But, like any truck, it has to be set up correctly! Don’t expect to tow much of anything if you cut your front springs and pulled a bunch of leafs out of your rear spring packs. However, if you have a quality lowering kit (with helper bags depending on the truck) or a full-on air-ride setup with properly rated airbags, you’ll be golden.

2. Can you lift a lowered truck?

Well, we say you should have a lifted truck and a lowered truck, but if you insist on lifting your lowered truck, it can definitely be done. If you’re running drop spindles, you’ll have to swap them out for stock or lifted spindles. Same with your front coil springs. If you’ve got a rear axle flip kit installed, you’ll be removing that in order to put your axle back under your leaf springs. And, if you have drop hangers and/or drop shackles, you’ll be swapping those out as well.

In some cases, you might have to buy stock replacement parts if you don’t have the originals. For instance, most people toss their stock leaf hangers when installing drop hangers, so stock ones will have to be purchased before lifting your truck. If you’re wanting to lift a bagged truck, things are a bit more complicated, but it’s totally doable. In reality, though, it’d be much easier to sell the truck and start over with a stock or already lifted truck.

3. How do I raise my lowered truck back to stock?

This one is a lot like the previous question. Basically, you’ll need to replace any lowering parts with stock or factory replacement parts. Drop spindles and coils? Replace them with stock parts. Lowered struts? Swap them out with stock replacements. Same with the rest—drop shackles, drop hangers, and lowered leaf springs all get pulled and replaced with the stock stuff. If your axle is flipped, unflip it with new replacement U-bolts. That frame notch? Well, you’re kind of stuck there unless you want to go through the trouble of replacing that section of frame.

4. How do I make my lowered truck ride SMOOTHER?

In most cases, a lowered truck that rides poorly is due to the owner skimping on something somewhere along the line. Cut (or even worse—heated) springs, improperly valved shocks (or using the factory shocks), and not maintaining enough suspension travel are the usual culprits. You wouldn’t believe how often I’ve seen someone complain about their rough-riding truck, only to crawl underneath and see the front and rear sitting on the bumpstops.

5. Can I align my lowered truck?

A common misconception about lowered trucks is that they can’t be properly aligned. The truth is, it all comes down to how comfortable your local alignment shop is with lowered vehicles. They may not be able to properly align your truck, but a shop that’s well-versed in the ways of lowered suspensions certainly can. Technically, the goal is the same as for a stock truck—get the camber, caster, and toe as close to factory specs as possible to minimize tire wear and maintain optimum performance. To do this, your local shop may need to install a camber kit, which allows for more adjustment than the factory alignment parts.

Yes, you can certainly do an “eyeball” alignment yourself, but that’s usually limited to toe in/toe out since caster is a bit trickier to figure out, and camber adjustment often requires shims/spacers that most people don’t just have sitting around. If you’re really determined to do it yourself, there are plenty of DIY alignment tools on the market, but they can be spendy. We’d only suggest going that route if you plan to change your suspension settings often, such as with an autocross truck.

Our suggestion is to talk to folks at your local cruise spot and ask around about shops that can handle your alignment. And for those of you with bagged trucks, remember to set your truck to your preferred ride height before handing the keys over to the shop!

6. Can I just cut my springs to lower my truck?

Yeah…. yeah, you can, but we’re not fans of doing things twice, and you’ll likely eventually get tired of the harsh ride that comes with taking the cheap way out. You’re probably fine if you only plan to go down 1 or 2 inches, but springs that are made for lowered trucks tend to perform better, with stiffer spring rates that help take advantage of your truck’s lower center of gravity. This is one of those things that people kind of need to experience for themselves, so if you’re really dead set on lowering your truck the cheapest way possible, give it a shot. Just don’t ever, ever, heat your springs to lower your truck!

7. Are springs better than spindles?

We’re actually big fans of running drop springs and spindles together to slam trucks, but if you’re only going down a couple of inches, either is great. Drop spindles have the advantage of maintaining your original suspension travel (assuming you’re not also installing drop springs), while lowering springs tend to cost quite a bit less than drop spindles. The only cons to drop spindles are that, depending on the truck, you sometimes can’t run your factory wheels, and in some cases your turning radius can be slightly reduced. When deciding which spindles to buy, visit each manufacturer’s website to find out if this applies to your application.

8. Should I use hangers or shackles?

Again, this is one of those situations where we recommend using both together to slam the crud out of your truck, but if a major lowering job isn’t your style, either one achieves the same effect if you’re just going down a couple of inches. Drop shackles are definitely easier to install, as well as cheaper, so they’re the most popular choice by far. Drop hangers require you to remove the large factory rivets on your stock hangers, then bolt on the new hangers. Not a terribly complicated job, but definitely more time consuming than shackles.

9. Why should I lower my truck?

This question kind of hurts our feelings. Have you not thumbed through these pages before?! OK, OK, give us a sec to calm down a bit… Let’s start with the look. Lowering a truck always makes it look better. Always. And then there are the added benefits that come with a lower center of gravity and a performance-minded suspension. Also, it’s easier to find your truck in a parking lot when it doesn’t look like every other Chevy/Ford/Ram out there, not to mention how much easier it is to get into your truck! Why should’t you lower your truck? Did you ever think about that?

10. Do I have to notch my frame when I lower my truck?

Whether you’ll need to notch your frame will depend on how low your truck is going to be. Generally speaking, if you’re going to be installing an axle flip kit, you’re going to want to install a C-notch or step notch since your frame to axle clearance will be minimal at best. Notching your frame will give you back the suspension travel you need, which is especially important if you ever plan on hauling anything. If your axle isn’t flipped, you will probably still have enough clearance to be fine in most cases. All of this is assuming, of course, that your axle came installed underneath your leaf springs from the factory. Most 2WD mini-trucks come with the axle installed over the springs, so the above info mostly applies to full-size trucks. If you have a mini, we generally start thinking about a notch with anything more than a 3-inch drop.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the recommendations for lowering a truck that is regularly driven on streets and highways?

Recommendations for Lowering a Truck for Street and Highway Driving

When it comes to lowering a truck that sees regular street and highway use, there are some guidelines you should follow to ensure a safe and comfortable ride.

Suggested Lowering Range

For stock-height pickups, a common recommendation is to lower the front by up to 2 inches and the rear by up to 4 inches. This range typically provides a good balance between aesthetics and functionality without severely impacting ride quality or handling.

Considerations for More Extreme Lowering

If you’re considering a more dramatic drop, keep in mind that significant frame modifications might be required. Full-on slam setups can be achieved, but these often involve extensive adjustments to the truck’s frame, which can be complex and costly.

General Tips

1. Consult Experts: Always consult with a professional to understand the specific needs for your truck’s make and model.
2. Quality Kits: Use high-quality lowering kits from reputable brands to ensure durability and performance.
3. Alignment and Suspension: After lowering, getting a proper alignment and possibly upgrading your suspension components is critical to maintain safe driving dynamics.

By following these recommendations, you can achieve a lowered stance that not only looks great but also performs reliably on both streets and highways.

Why is choosing the right shock absorbers critical for a lowered truck?

The provided text does not contain any entities that fall under the categories: {“Person”, “Organization”, “Address”, “Phone”, “Email”, “Location”, “Website”}. Therefore, no tags are necessary.

How does extreme lowering impact the suspension and driveline of a truck?

Lowering a truck to extreme levels, especially by cutting stock springs and retaining the original shocks, can have significant negative effects on its suspension and driveline components.

Risks of Bottoming Out

When a truck is drastically lowered, its undercarriage is much more likely to make contact with the ground. This can happen frequently when driving over bumps, potholes, and uneven road surfaces:

• Suspension Damage: Key elements such as control arms, ball joints, and tie rods can suffer from constant impacts.
• Chassis Wear: The frame of the truck could bend or crack under repeated stress.
• Driveline Vulnerability: Parts like the driveshaft, differential, and transmission are put at risk when they come into direct contact with the road surface.

Elevated Contact Points

The most vulnerable components during these impacts are positioned low to the ground, such as:

1. Speed Bumps: These can cause sudden, jarring contact, risking immediate damage.
2. Manhole Covers: Uneven surfaces like these can catch and potentially tear parts from the undercarriage.
3. Potholes: Chronic exposure to potholes can lead to accumulated damage over time.

Conclusion

Overall, extreme lowering of a truck compromises the longevity and functionality of its suspension and driveline, making it crucial for owners to consider these risks carefully before modifying their vehicle.

By understanding the potential hazards, drivers can make informed decisions about adjusting their vehicles and possibly opt for adjustable air or hydraulic suspensions to mitigate these issues.

Why are airbags and hydraulic suspension systems considered the best options for lowering a truck?

When it comes to lowering a truck, airbags and hydraulic suspension systems stand out for several compelling reasons:

Superior Performance and Adjustability

• Enhanced Flexibility: Airbags offer variable ride height adjustment, allowing drivers to change the truck’s stance with ease. This adaptability is crucial for both aesthetics and handling performance.
• Precision Control: Hydraulic systems provide fine-tuned control over the vehicle’s height and damping, leading to a smoother ride even when the truck is significantly lowered.

Durability and Load Management

• Heavy-Duty Capabilities: Both airbags and hydraulic systems are designed to handle substantial loads, making them ideal for trucks that carry heavy cargo or tow.
• Longevity: These systems are built to withstand harsh conditions, extending the lifespan of your suspension compared to traditional lowering kits.

Ride Comfort and Safety

• Smooth Ride Quality: By absorbing shocks and bumps effectively, airbags and hydraulic systems maintain ride comfort even on uneven terrain.
• Enhanced Safety: Better handling and stability are critical, especially when driving a lowered truck. These systems offer improved control, reducing the risk of accidents.

Cost Considerations

While airbags and hydraulic suspension systems are more expensive than conventional options, their benefits often justify the higher price point:

• Investment Worth Making: The combination of performance, durability, and comfort ensures that the upfront cost pays off in the long run.
• Customization Potential: Both systems offer unparalleled customization possibilities, allowing you to tailor your truck’s performance to your exact needs and preferences.

By investing in airbags or hydraulic suspension systems, you not only enhance your truck’s functionality but also elevate its look and feel, making these setups the top choice for serious truck enthusiasts.

What towing challenges might one face with a lowered truck?

Of course! But, like any truck, it has to be set up correctly! Don’t expect to tow much of anything if you cut your front springs and pulled a bunch of leafs out of your rear spring packs. However, if you have a quality lowering kit (with helper bags depending on the truck) or a full-on air-ride setup with properly rated airbags, you’ll be golden.

Yet, even with a proper setup, there are some practical challenges you should be aware of:

• Towing Scenarios: When the truck needs to be towed or jacked up, it can be tricky. Low-profile floor jacks are essential for raising a bottom-scraping rig.
• Clearance Issues: In many instances, wood planks are still necessary to achieve enough clearance to position a jack under a super-low truck. They can also help when getting the truck onto the deck of a trailer or flatbed tow truck.
• Labor and Conditions: This kind of work can be labor-intensive, especially on a high-temperature day. The extra effort required can make the process feel like a real chore.

So, while a top-notch lowering kit and air-ride system can make towing feasible, always be prepared for the occasional hiccup that comes with a lowered truck.

How can poorly executed lowering affect a truck’s tires?

In most cases, a lowered truck that rides poorly is due to the owner skimping on something somewhere along the line. Cut (or even worse—heated) springs, improperly valved shocks (or using the factory shocks), and not maintaining enough suspension travel are the usual culprits. You wouldn’t believe how often I’ve seen someone complain about their rough-riding truck, only to crawl underneath and see the front and rear sitting on the bump stops.

But there’s more at stake than just the ride quality. Lowering a truck can also bring on issues when new or replacement parts for lowering come into contact with other pieces like anti-roll bars, wheels, and/or tires. Specifically, suspension binding brought on by poorly executed lowering can promote aggressive tire attrition. This means that your tires can wear out much faster than expected, leading to increased costs and potential safety hazards.

The key takeaway? Properly executed lowering is not just about aesthetics or even ride comfort—it’s crucial for the overall health and longevity of your truck’s components, including the tires.

What are the suspension-related issues that can arise from lowering a truck?

In most cases, a lowered truck that rides poorly is due to the owner skimping on something somewhere along the line. Cut (or even worse—heated) springs, improperly valved shocks (or using the factory shocks), and not maintaining enough suspension travel are the usual culprits. You wouldn’t believe how often I’ve seen someone complain about their rough-riding truck, only to crawl underneath and see the front and rear sitting on the bumpstops.

Lowering a truck can also bring on issues when new or replacement parts for lowering come into contact with other pieces like anti-roll bars, wheels, and/or tires. With regard to tires, suspension binding brought on by poorly executed lowering can promote aggressive tire attrition. This means your tires wear out much faster than they should, costing you more in the long run.

To avoid these issues, it’s crucial to invest in quality components and ensure proper installation. Opt for lowering kits from reputable brands that are designed to work harmoniously with the rest of your vehicle’s suspension system. This not only improves ride quality but also extends the lifespan of your truck’s components.

By addressing both the common mistakes and the specific mechanical issues, you can enjoy the aesthetic and performance benefits of a lowered truck without compromising on safety or comfort.

How can lowering a truck affect its handling and ride quality?

Lowering a truck can yield performance improvements in several areas. Better aerodynamics and enhanced traction are often cited benefits, along with gains in handling and overall ride quality. However, the latter two criteria are highly subjective. One driver may feel the truck handles and rides better than ever, while another could view the change—which typically results in a harder or stiffer ride—as the worst thing that ever happened to their pickup.

In most cases, a lowered truck that rides poorly is due to the owner skimping on something somewhere along the line. Cut (or even worse—heated) springs, improperly valved shocks (or using the factory shocks), and not maintaining enough suspension travel are the usual culprits. You wouldn’t believe how often I’ve seen someone complain about their rough-riding truck, only to crawl underneath and see the front and rear sitting on the bumpstops.

Key Considerations

1. Aerodynamics and Traction: Lowering the suspension can improve the truck’s aerodynamics, reducing drag and potentially increasing fuel efficiency. Improved traction can also result from a lower center of gravity, making the vehicle more stable, especially during high-speed maneuvers.
2. Handling and Ride Quality: Lowering a truck can enhance handling by reducing body roll and improving the vehicle’s responsiveness. However, these improvements often come at the cost of a stiffer ride. What feels like a performance upgrade to one driver might feel unbearably harsh to another.
3. Common Pitfalls: It’s crucial to avoid shortcuts when modifying suspension. Using subpar components like cut springs or factory shocks can lead to poor ride quality. Ensuring proper suspension travel and using quality, properly valved shocks can make all the difference.

Final Thoughts

When done correctly, lowering a truck can offer significant performance and aesthetic benefits. However, careful consideration and quality components are essential to avoid compromising ride quality. Always ensure that modifications are done with precision and attention to detail to enjoy the full benefits without the pitfalls.

What are the potential benefits of lowering a truck’s suspension?

Why should I lower my truck?

This question kind of hurts our feelings. Have you not thumbed through these pages before?! OK, OK, give us a sec to calm down a bit… Let’s start with the look. Lowering a truck always makes it look better. Always. And then there are the added benefits that come with a lower center of gravity and a performance-minded suspension. Also, it’s easier to find your truck in a parking lot when it doesn’t look like every other Chevy/Ford/Ram out there, not to mention how much easier it is to get into your truck! Why shouldn’t you lower your truck? Did you ever think about that?

But wait, there’s more! Contrary to popular belief, dropping a rig down low isn’t always done for show. Performance improvements such as better aerodynamics and traction can come with lowering a suspension, along with gains in handling and overall ride quality.

• Better Aerodynamics: A lower suspension means less air resistance, which can enhance fuel efficiency and speed.
• Improved Traction: With the truck closer to the ground, you’ll experience better grip and control, especially around corners.
• Enhanced Handling: The lower center of gravity contributes to more precise steering and stability, making your drive smoother and more responsive.
• Overall Ride Quality: The improved suspension setup can also lead to a more comfortable and enjoyable ride.

So, whether you’re in it for the looks or the performance upgrades, lowering your truck offers a multitude of benefits that go beyond just turning heads.

What are the chassis-related problems associated with lowering a truck by cutting stock springs and retaining original shocks?

Can I just cut my springs to lower my truck?

Yeah…. Yeah, you can, but we’re not fans of doing things twice, and you’ll likely eventually get tired of the harsh ride that comes with taking the cheap way out. You’re probably fine if you only plan to go down 1 or 2 inches, but springs that are made for lowered trucks tend to perform better, with stiffer spring rates that help take advantage of your truck’s lower center of gravity. This is one of those things that people kind of need to experience for themselves, so if you’re really dead set on lowering your truck the cheapest way possible, give it a shot. Just don’t ever, ever, heat your springs to lower your truck!

Chassis Problems

Let’s dive into why cutting your stock springs can be a bad idea. When you lower a truck to extreme levels using cut springs and original shocks, you risk the belly of your truck bottoming out. This means the undercarriage can literally hit the pavement hard as you drive over bumps and uneven roads. Ouch, right?

This constant contact with the road isn’t just uncomfortable; it’s hazardous. Critical components like the suspension (think control arms, ball joints, tie rods), the chassis (frame), and the driveline (driveshaft, differential, transmission, oil pan) are put in jeopardy. They’re in the direct line of fire when you encounter speed bumps, manhole covers, and those sneaky potholes.

So, while cutting springs might seem like an easy fix, it can lead to frequent and costly repairs. Opting for springs designed for lowered trucks is a smarter move—they’re specifically engineered to handle the lower stance without compromising your ride quality or endangering your truck’s vital parts.

What are the common drawbacks of lowering a truck without using an application-specific system?

Yeah…. Yeah, you can, but we’re not fans of doing things twice, and you’ll likely eventually get tired of the harsh ride that comes with taking the cheap way out. You’re probably fine if you only plan to go down 1 or 2 inches, but springs that are made for lowered trucks tend to perform better, with stiffer spring rates that help take advantage of your truck’s lower center of gravity.

This is one of those things that people kind of need to experience for themselves, so if you’re really dead set on lowering your truck the cheapest way possible, give it a shot. Just don’t ever, ever, heat your springs to lower your truck!

Common Drawbacks of Improper Lowering

Despite the fact that pickups with chassis-scraping, low-and-mean postures (especially crew-cab longbeds) often look amazing, drawbacks to lowering are a lot more common than any favorable results of the profile change. Here are some of the issues you might encounter:

1. Harsh Ride Quality: Lowering without an application-specific system can make every bump and pothole feel like a major jolt.
2. Alignment Issues: Improper lowering can throw off your truck’s alignment, leading to uneven tire wear and poor handling.
3. Suspension Damage: Using the wrong components can strain your suspension, leading to premature wear and potential failure.
4. Reduced Load Capacity: Lowering can alter the load capacity of your truck, making it less capable of handling heavy cargo.

To avoid these problems, it’s crucial to use an all-encompassing, application-specific system. These systems are designed to address the unique needs of your truck’s make and model, ensuring not just a better look, but also a safer and more comfortable ride.

So, if you’re really committed to lowering your truck, invest in the right components from the start. Trust us, your back and your truck will thank you.