Lowering a Z71

[wrath]

My 99 ECSB Z71 is pretty low (compared to newer Z71s) even with 265x75r16 rubber. However, I've got the classic 2" lift block and two leafs/overload rear setup. Between the long leaf springs, lack of leafs, and the block I get a lot of wrap. And the rear is 1 3/8" higher than the front.

So, the plan is to remove the block and crank down the torsion bars. But, how much cranking can I get out of those torsion bars? Currently, the adjusters are threaded in about 2/3.

The GM part number for factory U-bolts on a 2wd 1/2 ton appear to be #15002781. Anybody happen to know the dimensions? I live in BFE.

Next, will factory length 4x4 shocks be short enough to deal with the 1.25" shorter overall shock length? It looks like it but I don't want to bottom out and tear off the girly bracket on the chassis.

I don't want to go too low as we see around 300" of snow each year here and the 12' of wheelbase already makes it a bit of a chore. I'm mostly out to level it and get a little better ride quality/stance with pipedreams of better fuel economy. It'd be nice to close the gaps in the wheelwells also since there is such limited wheel travel on these trucks but I'm not too worried about that. I have bags to keep it off the bumpstops when towing.

The truck tows a slightly modified version of this on a 20' car hauler periodically so putting it on the ground is not an option:

[Red03SilSS]

Why own a Z71 if you want a lowered truck? It can be done, but i would just rather see a Z71 stay tall or jacked up, Hint the phrase Z71. Look at TimZ's truck. It is the most awesome Z i have ever seen, its tall, nice hood, and will whip my truck anyday. I just wouldnt lower a Z, Ive owned 2 and both of them went up.

[foggy]

why don't you take your 2" block out and replace it with a 1" block. Then you can adjust the front rest of the way to level it out. Don't forget to use new u-bolts. I think you will be fine with your stock shocks.
http://www.jackit.com/store/supercart.cgi?s=pcs_95_100b

[Red03SilSS]

Youve prob got an inch or 2 in your tortion bars. you could crank down

[trever1t]

Lowered Z's look great IMO !

[wrath]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Red03SilSS &#064; Aug 18 2006, 09&#58;58 AM) [snapback]61575[/snapback]</div>

Why own a Z71 if you want a lowered truck? It can be done, but i would just rather see a Z71 stay tall or jacked up, Hint the phrase Z71. Look at TimZ&#39;s truck. It is the most awesome Z i have ever seen, its tall, nice hood, and will whip my truck anyday. I just would lower a Z, Ive owned 2 and both of them went up.
[/b]

I got a really good deal on my grandpa grocery getter (ECSB, Z71, pewter, every old man has one). I wanted 3.73 gears and about the only way you&#39;re going to get them is with a Z71. I wanted a standard cab longbox 2500HD with a 496/NV5600 but they&#39;re rare critters. I was desperate for a truck so my other ones didn&#39;t die of salt and this is what I ended up with. The Z71 package is pretty much worthless for offroading anyway. Anyone that actually wheels never uses an IFS rig. This is my daily driver.

If it makes you feel better, I&#39;ll peel the Z71 stickers off.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(foggy &#064; Aug 18 2006, 01&#58;05 PM) [snapback]61589[/snapback]</div>

why don&#39;t you take your 2" block out and replace it with a 1" block. Then you can adjust the front rest of the way to level it out. Don&#39;t forget to use new u-bolts. I think you will be fine with your stock shocks.
http://www.jackit.com/store/supercart.cgi?s=pcs_95_100b
[/b]

Yeah, that&#39;s my first choice but if I have to buy U-bolts might as well eliminate the block altogether. I take it you&#39;ve seen people go to a 1" block before? I&#39;ve seen fifteen or so aluminum lift blocks crack and/or "round off" in my day. I live in BFE where the motto is "performance parts? it&#39;s a victory every time it starts&#33;" so everything I buy is via the interweb.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Red03SilSS &#064; Aug 18 2006, 03&#58;56 PM) [snapback]61604[/snapback]</div>

Youve prob got an inch or 2 in your tortion bars. you could crank down
[/b]

Cool, I&#39;ll give that a try. Happen to know what people usually align these trucks to? 1/4 degree toe-in and a 1/4 degree negative camber?

[Red03SilSS]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(wrath &#064; Aug 18 2006, 03&#58;13 PM) [snapback]61610[/snapback]</div>

I got a really good deal on my grandpa grocery getter (ECSB, Z71, pewter, every old man has one). I wanted 3.73 gears and about the only way you&#39;re going to get them is with a Z71. I wanted a standard cab longbox 2500HD with a 496/NV5600 but they&#39;re rare critters. I was desperate for a truck so my other ones didn&#39;t die of salt and this is what I ended up with. The Z71 package is pretty much worthless for offroading anyway. Anyone that actually wheels never uses an IFS rig. This is my daily driver.

If it makes you feel better, I&#39;ll peel the Z71 stickers off.
Yeah, that&#39;s my first choice but if I have to buy U-bolts might as well eliminate the block altogether. I take it you&#39;ve seen people go to a 1" block before? I&#39;ve seen fifteen or so aluminum lift blocks crack and/or "round off" in my day. I live in BFE where the motto is "performance parts? it&#39;s a victory every time it starts&#33;" so everything I buy is via the interweb.
Cool, I&#39;ll give that a try. Happen to know what people usually align these trucks to? 1/4 degree toe-in and a 1/4 degree negative camber?
[/b]

First of all, I didnt mean for you to get mad about my comment. It was an Honest Opinion. And a Z71 is not worthless for off roading anyway, I have owned 2 of them and Live on a farm and have taken them through some pretty nasty stuff. Back to the alignment questions. Ill ask my tech on monday and get back with you, he is gone for the day. I do know what once you mess with the tortion bars it makes it near impossible to get a perfect alignment, just depending on how much you tortion it up or down.

[Tim Z]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Red03SilSS &#064; Aug 18 2006, 09&#58;58 AM) [snapback]61575[/snapback]</div>

Why own a Z71 if you want a lowered truck? It can be done, but i would just rather see a Z71 stay tall or jacked up, Hint the phrase Z71. Look at TimZ&#39;s truck. It is the most awesome Z i have ever seen, its tall, nice hood, and will whip my truck anyday. I just would lower a Z, Ive owned 2 and both of them went up.
[/b]

First Thank you for the comp Red03SilSS &#33;&#33; 2nd, A chevy truck looks great anyway you can imagine most of the time, But IMO its a Sin to lower a 4x4, at least where i live cause we buy them to go hunting/camping with and also have fun and great traction on the street. I think they sit low stock&#33; But if i wanted a Low truck i would have got an SS and and slammed it with 20&#39;s. But you gotta do what you like , there&#39;s NO wrong way . BTw the Z71 package is NOT worthless, Of course it is weaker than a straight axle but it does every thing well, and if your going to beat it and rock crawl its not ment for that. It does ride a LOT better than a straigh axle, ivwe owned plenty of both.Whats worthless about a factory locker, gas shocks and skid plates? better than what ford offers, no locker in their off Road package

[Red03SilSS]

TimZ is my Idol&#33;&#33; LOL Nicely said. And just to throw this in. My SS sits up higher than a stock 2wd. It says they have a factory 2 inch drop, but its a facotry 2 inch drop from a 4wd truck not 2wd. I sure do miss my jacked up Z though. I traded it off about 4 months ago for this one. Traded big and slow for a fast and not so big.

[Tim Z]

Id love to have an SS in the garage beside my Z71&#33; I want it All&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;