Lowering a 4x4?

[crazzy88]

Hey I have a 1971 4x4 shortbed that currently has a 4 inch lift, but i have been wondering is it possible to lower a 4x4? Is there an easy way to do it? Thanks for the help

[jrdv]

Go back to stock springs--should lower it about 4 inches!
Seriously, a 2 inch lift kit is about the same height as stock springs.

john

[bikes&bowties]

not sure what the point is. but you could to axle flips and re-arched springs...

[63chevyll]

and c-notch the oil pan...

[84 400]

I could see going back to stock but any lower why?? Not poking fun at you just wonder why you would want less ground clearance then stock (if that is what ur going for). I personally hate how lifted trucks drive so i can see going back to stock if your not going to offload it.

[Matt Man]

not trying to be a but here but i have seen a lot of these posts recently.... to me it seems like it's hard for people to buy 4wd... and then people want to lower them? or do you mean you just want the stock height back?

If you want to lower it sell it and buy a 2wd....or you could keep it lifted and buy a 2wd then slam it

[msgross]

guys, let's not beat him up about lowering a 4x4, he asked how to do it not what we think about doing it...

The first question is, how low?

[Gene]

Seems to me being a former lowrider, that flipping the axles would lower a 4wd 4 to 6 inches, but then you run into driveshaft issues(too long). To each his own I guess, if the guy wants a lowered 4wd I say go for it.

[desertrat]

The short answer is no. 4x4s are equipped with a Self Destruct Mechanism (SDM), if you attempt to lower the truck it will explode into a million pieces. Not to many people know about the Self Destruct Mechanism but it was originally designed and patented by NAPCO and for most 4x4s built in America this was standard installation. This was common all the way up to 1987. Than the Automobile Association Safety Standards (AASS) was formed and appealed to the high courts to ban the SDM. That is why in 1988 GM went with an independent front end and eliminated the SDM. You wont find any older 4x4s lowered, although it has been attempted but has always led to destruction and the loss of innocent lives. The media refuses to cover these stories and the government refuses to admit that the SDM even exists. I hope this information helps everyone out and we can avoid destruction and the loss of innocent lives.

Thank You, desertrat

[nickp51chevy]

Originally Posted by desertrat

The short answer is no. 4x4s are equipped with a Self Destruct Mechanism (SDM), if you attempt to lower the truck it will explode into a million pieces. Not to many people know about the Self Destruct Mechanism but it was originally designed and patented by NAPCO and for most 4x4s built in America this was standard installation. This was common all the way up to 1987. Than the Automobile Association Safety Standards (AASS) was formed and appealed to the high courts to ban the SDM. That is why in 1988 GM went with an independent front end and eliminated the SDM. You wont find any older 4x4s lowered, although it has been attempted but has always led to destruction and the loss of innocent lives. The media refuses to cover these stories and the government refuses to admit that the SDM even exists. I hope this information helps everyone out and we can avoid destruction and the loss of innocent lives.

Thank You, desertrat

Don't you mean innocent trucks?

[Gene]

Originally Posted by desertrat

The short answer is no. 4x4s are equipped with a Self Destruct Mechanism (SDM), if you attempt to lower the truck it will explode into a million pieces. Not to many people know about the Self Destruct Mechanism but it was originally designed and patented by NAPCO and for most 4x4s built in America this was standard installation. This was common all the way up to 1987. Than the Automobile Association Safety Standards (AASS) was formed and appealed to the high courts to ban the SDM. That is why in 1988 GM went with an independent front end and eliminated the SDM. You wont find any older 4x4s lowered, although it has been attempted but has always led to destruction and the loss of innocent lives. The media refuses to cover these stories and the government refuses to admit that the SDM even exists. I hope this information helps everyone out and we can avoid destruction and the loss of innocent lives.

Thank You, desertrat

That's some funny stuff right there, I dont care who you are

[special-K]

Originally Posted by crazzy88

Hey I have a 1971 4x4 shortbed that currently has a 4 inch lift, but i have been wondering is it possible to lower a 4x4? Is there an easy way to do it? Thanks for the help

Swap your 4"lift springs to someone for their stock springs.I`m reading "lowering" as back down to stock.Your lift springs are arched to a contour that sets the height 4" over stock.You can`t just remove leaves.Your whole spring pack is about 4" thick.Each leaf is about 3/8".It`s all in the arch.GM used negative arches eliptical leafs to lower trucks from the factory.There`s a limit to how low due to crossmember and oil pan clearance.Even the steering limits how low.I have a`72 K2500 that has way de-arched leaves and it sits low.My stops are about 1" from the axle.I`m putting them up for sale in the parts board as soon as I get my lift kit installed.I can show pictures if you want to see how low you can go.
Hey guys...all 4wds made these days are lowered due to bumper height laws and entry convenience for all the newbie owners who have no business driving trucks .Does anyone own a truck made in the last 10 years?You have a lowered 4wd.

[aerotruk63]

You lower a 4WD to plow snow from out from apartment building sloped driveway garage doors, that you foolishly thought you had the clearance. Don't ask!

[wildwilly4x4]

I'll trade my stock springs for a 4" lift....heres how mine sits.

[made2drag]

Originally Posted by desertrat

The short answer is no. 4x4s are equipped with a Self Destruct Mechanism (SDM), if you attempt to lower the truck it will explode into a million pieces. Not to many people know about the Self Destruct Mechanism but it was originally designed and patented by NAPCO and for most 4x4s built in America this was standard installation. This was common all the way up to 1987. Than the Automobile Association Safety Standards (AASS) was formed and appealed to the high courts to ban the SDM. That is why in 1988 GM went with an independent front end and eliminated the SDM. You wont find any older 4x4s lowered, although it has been attempted but has always led to destruction and the loss of innocent lives. The media refuses to cover these stories and the government refuses to admit that the SDM even exists. I hope this information helps everyone out and we can avoid destruction and the loss of innocent lives.

Thank You, desertrat

i know this thread is old and i know youre joking about the sdm thing but in 1988 the k5's front drive shaft can come out and you can drive it without it right???

[made2drag]

Originally Posted by 84 400

I could see going back to stock but any lower why?? Not poking fun at you just wonder why you would want less ground clearance then stock (if that is what ur going for). I personally hate how lifted trucks drive so i can see going back to stock if your not going to offload it.

because these are hard to find:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=330769
.
.

.
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[trukman1]

crazzy88,

For all practical purposes just get stock springs to drop it 4".

Anything more is going to be a pain. IMHO.

[ERASER5]

Originally Posted by trukman1

crazzy88,

For all practical purposes just get stock springs to drop it 4".

Anything more is going to be a pain. IMHO.

If he hasn't figured it out by now, he just isn't going to... 2010 and all.

[trukman1]

Uh, well, didn't see that...

That'll teach me to look at the dates!

Wonder if he's still trying to figure it out though...

[Custom.Chevy]

lowering a 4wd can be done but most likely requires more work than one would want to take on. from what i see lowering a 4x4 requires notching the frame on the front. switching to coil overs. possibly offsetting the diff to the passenger side, all custom steering linkage , and the hardest part lifting the engine and trans up to clear the axle up travel which requires firewall and trans tunnel modification and who knows hum much more work. just look at the front end on Miss Misery Outlaw drag truck

its a straight axle 4wd slammed drag truck running 10.5 8th miles.