Lowering my c1500 4/6...need front tire advice

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by Tricky03

After a long day and "suprise", 4" of snow...my buddy Eric and I lowered it. The RideTech kit is awesome. The quality and fit are great. Very well engineered too. I put the 215/75r15's on. We'll see if they rub or not.?.?.? I have to get an alignment done ASAP.

Looks nice! It's amazing how different kits/components can be. We're running basically the same overall diameter tire up front, & your 4" front looks a tad lower than my Tahoe. The rear though looks equivalent to or lower than the 8" drop I had on my '93 stepside, granted your tires are taller & tuck a bit...but still!

Have you tried turning the front wheels side to side yet?

[Tricky03]

It was getting super slick outside so I just drove a few miles to get home. I thought I heard some rubbing from the front but not sure if it's the wheels on the LCA's (I cut off the rain gutters on the outer area) or the tire rubbing...I'll check it out tomorrow in the daylight if the snow isn't super deep.

[Luv68's]

It looks as if it leveled the truck....any rake to it?

[Tricky03]

Hey Luv68's, I pulled some sand bags out of the back, pulled the spare tire and then the tow hitch. I've still got 240lbs of sand in the back. It seems to be level now or maybe slight take. It's going in for alignment today. I also know the front will settle a bit too so there will be a little rake when it's all said and done.
Here's a picture of RideTech's truck they used to developers the Street Grip kit...

[WILWAXU]

Originally Posted by Luv68's

It looks as if it leveled the truck....any rake to it?

Here's a couple shots of my truck using the Ridetech StreetGRIP setup.. without sand bags . My rim/tire setup causes a little extra rake front to rear (~1") with the 245/40 & 275/40 height difference.

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by WILWAXU

Here's a couple shots of my truck using the Ridetech StreetGRIP setup.. without sand bags . My rim/tire setup causes a little extra rake front to rear (~1") with the 245/40 & 275/40 height difference.

Looks nice!

[Tom]

Its really amazing me how skinny of tires people on here run up front. Im on the smallest I've ever run on a lowered truck at 245mm [245/50/17's front 275/50/17 rears] on my 98.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Tom

Its really amazing me how skinny of tires people on here run up front. Im on the smallest I've ever run on a lowered truck at 245mm [245/50/17's front 275/50/17 rears] on my 98.

I've seen many a lowered truck w/bigger diameter wheels requiring tires w/shorter sidewalls so things still fit (w/ease). Sure seems like a gamble vs the cost of the wheels/tires.

I figure factory stuff built in the masses typically tell us where the 'line in the sand' is. Camaro's/Vette's/Mustang's rolled out w/40 series tires so they'll live on the street. Doing the math suggests most tires w/a sidewall around 4" will survive roadway issues/potholes. Most likely though, the heavier the weight on/over those tires, the closer they are to the point of failure when encountering said potholes/etc.

Your 245/50 combo sounds decent enough w/over 4.75" sidewalls. Me personally? I wouldn't run anything shorter than a 3.5" tall sidewall & that would be something w/a light body weight over that axle. The more weight, the taller of a sidewall I would utilize. 4" or more for 3500# vehicles for sure.....

[WILWAXU]

Originally Posted by likaroc13

Looks nice!

Thanks!

[Tricky03]

Nice truck WILWAXU!
I really like that wheel on a red truck, good choice.

Well, I figured out what the rubbing noise was...not the tire...not the wheel...its the abs sensor. RideTech gave me the wrong spindles. When we put the rotors on, we did notice the spindle shaft was a bit shorter than the original ones. We just figured it was what it was (Chinese made "Belltech" spindles). We were wrong. Now I'm going to try and see if RideTech will help me out here.
When I call the rep back in September to order the kit, I specifically asked if there were different spindles based on the thickness of my rotors. He assured me that there were no issues with different spindles for my truck and the one in the kit will work perfect for my truck. If anyone has had this experience, please chime in as I need to get this resolved ASAP. This truck is my only means of transportation.

So bummed because it looks so rad!

[WILWAXU]

Originally Posted by Tricky03

Nice truck WILWAXU!
I really like that wheel on a red truck, good choice.

Well, I figured out what the rubbing noise was...not the tire...not the wheel...its the abs sensor. RideTech gave me the wrong spindles. When we put the rotors on, we did notice the spindle shaft was a bit shorter than the original ones. We just figured it was what it was (Chinese made "Belltech" spindles). We were wrong. Now I'm going to try and see if RideTech will help me out here.
When I call the rep back in September to order the kit, I specifically asked if there were different spindles based on the thickness of my rotors. He assured me that there were no issues with different spindles for my truck and the one in the kit will work perfect for my truck. If anyone has had this experience, please chime in as I need to get this resolved ASAP. This truck is my only means of transportation.

So bummed because it looks so rad!

Give Ridetech a call, I have no doubt they will help out where they can. The kits are relatively new and they may not have everything worked out for each variation over the life of these trucks.

[Palf70Step]

Originally Posted by Tricky03

After a long day and "suprise", 4" of snow...my buddy Eric and I lowered it. The RideTech kit is awesome. The quality and fit are great. Very well engineered too. I put the 215/75r15's on. We'll see if they rub or not.?.?.? I have to get an alignment done ASAP.

Looks good!

[Tricky03]

Alright, made a call to RideTech, those guys are great. At first, we were all just baffled as to what the problem was...they show there is only one spindle that fits my truck, it was the one that came with my kit, supposedly.

The inner wheel bearing was too large to seat on the spindle, the spindle shaft was about 3/4" too short for the outer bearing to seat all the way. The ABS sensor was rubbing the inner part of the rotor because the bearings weren't seated correctly. Basically the rotor would flop around on the spindle even with the castle nut on and a cutter pin installed.

After looking at the back of the spindle, we noticed a part number 2400 and the casting BellTech. Looking in a BellTech catalog, we saw that my truck should have a spindle with the part # 2500. Somehow, the spindle for the 88-91 trucks ended up in my kit.

RideTech said they don't use BellTech anymore and they are not sure how I ended up with it in the kit for the wrong year of truck. They are now sending the correct spindle from Mcgaughtys.

If everything goes right, I should have it back on the road by the weekend!🤞🤞🤞

[WILWAXU]

Originally Posted by Tricky03

Alright, made a call to RideTech, those guys are great. At first, we were all just baffled as to what the problem was...they show there is only one spindle that fits my truck, it was the one that came with my kit, supposedly.

The inner wheel bearing was too large to seat on the spindle, the spindle shaft was about 3/4" too short for the outer bearing to seat all the way. The ABS sensor was rubbing the inner part of the rotor because the bearings weren't seated correctly. Basically the rotor would flop around on the spindle even with the castle nut on and a cutter pin installed.

After looking at the back of the spindle, we noticed a part number 2400 and the casting BellTech. Looking in a BellTech catalog, we saw that my truck should have a spindle with the part # 2500. Somehow, the spindle for the 88-91 trucks ended up in my kit.

RideTech said they don't use BellTech anymore and they are not sure how I ended up with it in the kit for the wrong year of truck. They are now sending the correct spindle from Mcgaughtys.

If everything goes right, I should have it back on the road by the weekend!🤞🤞🤞

Good to hear.

[likaroc13]

That is odd for sure, but I'm glad they're taking care of it for you! Belltech spindles are also known to push the wheels outward by .25" I think. So your wheels/tires may fit a little differently with the new, correct spindles.

[Tricky03]

Thanks for the confirmation on the BellTech spindles likaroc13, as I thought they pushed out the wheel. I was definately excited and a bit relieved when the rep told me he was sending out a Mcgaughtys spindle. Just can't wait for it to get back on the road. I have just had CES (Custom Exhaust Specialties) install the JBA headers and custom dual exhaust. They even cut and moved the crossover tube up for more ground clearance! Awesome work! I want to hear it and drive it so bad! Cant wait to get the other stuff on it fir the summer!
Thanks to all the comments! I appreciate them!

[Tricky03]

Holy crap! That took way too long. Got my truck back today...it's nice to drive it. Huge difference in how it drives, no rubs or noises! Sounds great too! Thanks CES!
I'll get some pictures tomorrow. Going to try and get the K&N intake on along with the JET pulleys. 🤞