Got a few lowering questions.

[Prjct86Man]

i havent gotten my tahoe yet but im pretty sure im going to lower it when i do get one. my questions are:

will a lowering kit void the warranty? does it make a difference if its bolt-on or does any suspension work at all void it out?

what is the height of the front overhang from the ground with a 3/4 or 3/5 lowering kit?

thanks.

 

[73shark]

i havent gotten my tahoe yet but im pretty sure im going to lower it when i do get one. my questions are:

will a lowering kit void the warranty? does it make a difference if its bolt-on or does any suspension work at all void it out?

what is the height of the front overhang from the ground with a 3/4 or 3/5 lowering kit?

thanks.

Basically the dealer has to show that an aftermarket part actually caused a failure for him not to warranty it. For example, if you rip the front fascia off because is three inches lower and you hit a speed bump, you will probably be SOL.

Three inches less than it is now.

Be aware that no matter whose kit you use, the ride will be rougher as the springs must be stiffer as there is less suspension travel to keep the truck from hitting the bump stops.

 

[07TahoeLTZ]

A little advice...

Basically the dealer has to show that an aftermarket part actually caused a failure for him not to warranty it. For example, if you rip the front fascia off because is three inches lower and you hit a speed bump, you will probably be SOL.

Three inches less than it is now.

Be aware that no matter whose kit you use, the ride will be rougher as the springs must be stiffer as there is less suspension travel to keep the truck from hitting the bump stops.

I agree 100% with the above...ANY lowering will make it ride SIGNIFICANTLY rougher and may adversely affect the handling and ability to track straight...I lowered my last Tahoe with a 2/3 drop (used Bilstein (sp) springs in the back and used the torsion bar adjustment to lower the front) and it rode like a skateboard and alignment was always messed up regardless of efforts to align.

If you are I guess less than 30 and you don't mind the rough ride, cool....older guys, take caution.....after a couple thousand miles of rough riding you will wish you had the old 17" wheels with nice fat side walls and all the suspension travel you could get....

 

[Prjct86Man]

guess i should ride in a lowered one first, i know that i dont like the floaty feeling ive felt driving an 02 yukon, do the new ones ride much different?

 

[07TahoeLTZ]

Lowered....

guess i should ride in a lowered one first, i know that i dont like the floaty feeling ive felt driving an 02 yukon, do the new ones ride much different?

Definetely rides sportier and takes corners better (especially if you put a sway bar on) but just realize, you will feel EVERY little bump in the rode....

 

[73shark]

2007 ride

do the new ones ride much different?

Yes. :cool2: Another thing with lowering is that some have experienced some issues with Stability, Traction Control, and ABS messages. :confused2:

 

[Prjct86Man]

thanks, any of you guys have lowered rides or just telling me what you know? just wondering if anyone with a drop on theirs has anything to add.

 

[07TahoeLTZ]

My '02 was lowered...

thanks, any of you guys have lowered rides or just telling me what you know? just wondering if anyone with a drop on theirs has anything to add.

Maybe it is different now, but like I said, mine rode like crap, would pull in one direction on one road and another direction on a different rode.....people in back seat would get bounced around. Funny how people think they can make a better suspension then a professional...some can, most don't. What I have learned is looking cool usually doesn't equate to comfort....at least when it comes to cars.

 

[Prjct86Man]

whats the best way to lower it with minimal damage to the steering components? also, a lot of people say the handling and road feel is better with springs or lowering, is this true or just them trying to justify the lowering?

 

[mikew2069]

From experience w/ lowering my past vehicles, I would say that it will definitely handle a little better, but mostly we just say that to make ourselves feel a little better about the crappy ride.... I bought a McGaughys 2/3 drop kit before I even got my Tahoe. It's been sitting in my garage for a couple months now as I can't decide if I want to install it or not. It's kind of nice to be sitting up high and not have to worry too much about where I'm driving or if that big pothole is going to make me bite my own tounge. But eventually, the kit will go on just so I can see how bad the Tahoe rides dropped. But I will not hesitate to put the stock suspension back on if its too rough.

 

[Prjct86Man]

what kind of a difference would there be between a kit like mcgaughys and springs like eibach?

 

[mikew2069]

what kind of a difference would there be between a kit like mcgaughys and springs like eibach?

Not sure about the ride quality, but the McGaughys kit uses a drop spindle in the front w/ the stock front springs. Hopefully, for me, that is supposed to translate into a smoother ride in the front. The rear is basically the same.

 

[elbeto]

Maybe it is different now, but like I said, mine rode like crap, would pull in one direction on one road and another direction on a different rode.....people in back seat would get bounced around. Funny how people think they can make a better suspension then a professional...some can, most don't. What I have learned is looking cool usually doesn't equate to comfort....at least when it comes to cars.

That same equation can be given for home furniture.

 

[johnebgoode]

Mine is lowered, 08 LTZ.

Had it aligned and all is well. No stability control problems, no tracking issues, everything AOK..!!

And thats coming from an old guy with weak kidneys....:lol: