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View Full Version : How do I lower a 2002 Tahoe??



crazyfireman
03-22-2008, 12:58 PM
My wife has finally gave me the blessing to lower our 02 Tahoe, I know how to do the rear but am clueless on the front, any ideas???

TonyL
03-22-2008, 01:01 PM
There should be spring kits on the market for it from companies like iebach and others. I know for a fact that Les Schwab has a kit for sale.

chicane67
03-22-2008, 01:01 PM
How do you lower a 2002 Tahoe ?? With gravity, of course !!

I take it that it is two wheel drive and non-air suspension ?? (I hate to speculate, so I had to confirm.)

TonyL
03-22-2008, 01:02 PM
Since it's a truck, I'd probably go with Belltech.

TonyL
03-22-2008, 01:05 PM
Yup. Just checked belltech's site. They offer a nice kit. I've used them on two chevy trucks. Loved the fit, the ride quality after and overall "bolt on" easyness of Belltech stuff.

chicane67
03-22-2008, 01:19 PM
(post whore)

TonyL
03-22-2008, 02:46 PM
who?

TonyL
03-22-2008, 02:46 PM
Me?

TonyL
03-22-2008, 02:46 PM
Never!

TonyL
03-22-2008, 02:46 PM
/is really gaining on Bill.

chicane67
03-22-2008, 04:20 PM
!! LOL !!

"Billy".... :lmao:

danbob67
03-22-2008, 04:33 PM
I could be wrong but isnt the front a torsion bar setup crank em down as low as it will go buddy at work just did his and put 24's on it Im thinking he got a belltech kit for the rear then just cranked the bars down on the front. I can ask him next time at work if you dont find out sooner.

Samckitt
03-22-2008, 05:21 PM
How much are you wanting to lower it? Does it have coil springs in the front or torsion bars? If you are wanting to lower it just a couple inches you can use 1500HD truck torsion bar keys to lower it. I have a 1500HD truck & I used regular 1500 keys to level it, raised it about 2".

crazyfireman
03-22-2008, 05:30 PM
It has torsion bars in the front and coils in the back, I want to lower it 2" in the front and 3" in the rear. Wont cranking down on the torsions make it ride like a tank? It is a 2wd also..

Tony_SS
03-22-2008, 05:47 PM
I did a 3/2 drop from Belltech on my old Silverado and was really impressed with the stance and ride quality.

chicane67
03-22-2008, 06:11 PM
It has torsion bars in the front and coils in the back, I want to lower it 2" in the front and 3" in the rear. Wont cranking down on the torsions make it ride like a tank? It is a 2wd also..

Alllllriiiiiight.

Im with both Tony's on this... I too would seriously look at Belltech's offerings. Nice parts, good fitment and you will maintain a decent ride.

Samckitt
03-23-2008, 03:01 AM
I didn't notice much difference in the ride cranking the torsion bars. But I cranked them up, you are going down. Here is my suggestion, try the keys first, brand new the parts from GM will cost you about $50 compared to a few hundred for the Belltech parts. Check out www.gmfullsize.com, I'm sure there is guys on there that have done it with the keys.

crazyfireman
03-23-2008, 05:04 AM
What are the keys???

Fesler built
03-23-2008, 05:49 AM
OK this is what we do so and we have used all the kits and I will tell you that the Mcgaughys http://www.mcgaughys.com/ kit is the best for ride and ease of install, next would be Belltech http://belltech.com/ and than Eibach http://eibach.com/cgi-bin/start.exe/eibach/index.html. They all have kits and all work great but if you want the ride do it right.

Cranking down the torsion keys is OK but will make your ride a little sloppy, if you are OK with that and trying to save a few bucks its a great way to go. If you wife wants a great ride than go with a kit.

The Torsion keys are what hold the Torsion bars in place and hold the tension on them, they are located at the rear of the torsion bar if you climb under there you can see them and how they work. If you turn them tighter it will raise the truck if you turn them loser it will lower the truck. very simple

For the tires if you are going to go with 24-inch I have a bunch of differnt packages that you can use. I would stay with a larger tire so you get the ride and this is very important. PM me if you want some help with the wheels and tires I can ship anywhere and can still probably save you money. Dont go to low profile or your wife will hate it this is very important.

Here are a few samples and I can post more pics if you want to see wheels and tire looks

http://www.feslerbuilt.com/2007GMCDenali.htm

http://www.feslerbuilt.com/2005GMCDenali.htm

http://www.feslerbuilt.com/2002ChevyTahoe.htm

Samckitt
03-23-2008, 06:07 AM
Torsion bar keys:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

The green ones are factory 1500 ones.
I believe white ones are 1500HD

To raise a regular 1500 truck you use Ford keys,
To raise a 1500HD use regular 1500 Keys.
To lower regular 1500 you would use 1500HD keys.

That is all I am aware of.

Fesler built
03-23-2008, 06:38 AM
Good info Scot, the only thing people need to know is you can only go up or down a few inches before you really start affecting the ride quality.


Torsion bar keys:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

The green ones are factory 1500 ones.
I believe white ones are 1500HD

To raise a regular 1500 truck you use Ford keys,
To raise a 1500HD use regular 1500 Keys.
To lower regular 1500 you would use 1500HD keys.

That is all I am aware of.

GBodyGMachine
03-23-2008, 07:22 AM
check around on www.fullsizechevy.com
I am a member there, great info in the street section.

crazyfireman
03-23-2008, 09:27 AM
Thanks a million I really appreciate all the info!

Bruning Auto Design
03-23-2008, 12:14 PM
definitely recommend going with a dropped spindle type kit over cranking down the torsion bars. Besides ride quality, you will pay in the long run for tires from the negative camber associated with cranking down the torsion bars.