Guys,

I had my Mcgaughy's (Mcgoys) 3-5 deluxe lowering kit installed a few weeks ago by a pretty experienced shop. They have done a lot of dropped dually’s but never a 4x4. I though I would share my experience.

There where a bit more issues then I would have thought.

1st the carrier bearings vibrates like hell. We have to cut and weld the bracket in a new location. Mcgaughys said that this is normal on some trucks and said that we should shim the rear end but you can’t shim the rear end on a 3500 so you need to move the barring location.

2nd the rear still does not come down enough on the 4x4. Even with the 5 inches it still looks super high. In fact we put the stock keys in the front to get the front to match the rear better. So really it is a 2-5 drop. It should have been a 3-7.

3rd the front and back hit the bump stops pretty easily. Even after we cut the rear pump stop down per the install instruction.


Overall I am happy with the out come. I even think it rides much better with a little more weight distributed on the rear. Stock ride height on the 4x4’s is very high in the back so all the weight is forward when unloaded.

I also added an air bag system that was also a bit more difficult then expected. You cannot fit normal style double convoluted bags on these 3500’s Duallys. You have to use the cheesy sleeve bags that don’t have the weight load rating. Still trying to find a better solution for that.

BTW- You need 17” or larger wheels for this kit. I have 19.5’s so it was not a problem.

OK, I am not intending to flame anybody by saying this but why would you lower a 4X4 pickup?

No Problem Flame Away!

I live in Salt lake and travel thru the mountains on snowy roads aften so I need a 4x4. I also goto the sand dunes a lot and drive off the raod with trailer again another reason to have 4x4.

I wanted to lower it for looks and ride quality. Lowerign the CG helps with corning while trailering larger loads, makes it easier for my family to get into, makes it easier to get my Motorcyle and golfcart in bed, etc... But really it looks better.

I will put my helmet on before saying this but why would anyone want to lift a truck? :eek:
I guess because they want a truck that handles poorly, is super loud, hard to get into, hard to load or unload cargo, worse fule milage, & looks like your compensating for something? :lol:

Nope I am thinking because of looks! :exactly:

Mike

hoppyinak

What airbags you have?

No Problem Flame Away!

I will put my helmet on before saying this but why would anyone want to lift a truck? :eek:
I guess because they want a truck that handles poorly, is super loud, hard to get into, hard to load or unload cargo, worse fule milage, & looks like your compensating for something? :lol:

Nope I am thinking because of looks! :exactly:

Mike

Not that I am an advocate of lifting trucks anymore but I thought I would throw this in the mess.

I can disagree on all those aspects from personal experience. My truck handled just like stock, was not loud at all, and with the proper steps my truck was very easy to get into even for my wife who is alot shorter than I am and as far as cargo, never really hauled anything but did not have serious issues. And for the fuel mileage, my truck after changing the gears, whipple super charger and programs installed got the same if not better than stock. As far as compensating, verdict is still out on that one... :lol:

Firestone NO DRILL Ride Rites for the air bags, not the lowering type though more as a suspension supplemental device. I would lower mine except some of the roads I take my truck/camper combo barely pass as it is. But the reasons stated in your post having 4X4 with the lower ride height seem to make sense. Thank you

PS: I grew up in Wyoming and can seen what you mean about having to have 4X4!!

PPS: Hopefully you figure out your questions as I have mine!

GMC2500HD

Makes sense to me! I have not had a lifted truck since High School ( about 18 years ago) so I don't have first hand experience. As long as what we have is what we like ourselves that is all that matters, Different Strokes!

I do have a few buddies’ that curse their lifted trucks. 2 of them just went back to stock.

I love the Whipple's I have been good friends with Dustin Whipple for awhile, they build great stuff. I have had them on all my performance boats and many gasser trucks & Subs. Wait till you see the new chargers they are making!


Hoppyinak,

With the height of the 4x4 I hope I should be ok, So far I have been impressed with its clearance.

What part of Wyoming? I lived in Jackson Hole for about 5 years. Ran a Snowmobile Rental/Tour company.

Guys,

1st the carrier bearings vibrates like hell. We have to cut and weld the bracket in a new location. Mcgaughys said that this is normal on some trucks and said that we should shim the rear end but you can’t shim the rear end on a 3500 so you need to move the barring location.


I wonder if converting to the one-piece drive shaft would have helped with this issue, and saved some dollars, labor-wise for the carrier bearing relocation effort?
JP

HH,

Good idea! I had not thought about that.

would there be other advantages?

I will look into how much that will cost verse the relocation of bearing.


THanks!

I agree with you. I think duallys look great lowered, that stance makes it look just so much more aggresive. I do not like lifted duallys, its just to akward. I'm not a fan of lifted trucks in the first place, but duallys, im my opion and thats all it is just dont look right lifted.

Ok how 'bout this.......Lets see it.....:D


:nopics:

I grew up in Gillette.

I was waiting for the "This Thread is useless" statement from someone!

I will take some pics today.


hoppyinak
I have not spent much time in Gillett except driving thru to goto Sturgis. Looks pretty much like a mineing town!


Mike

Here is a pic!

HH,

Good idea! I had not thought about that.

would there be other advantages?

I will look into how much that will cost verse the relocation of bearing.

THanks!

Not sure of other advantages, maybe because of the length of the 1 piece you could get away with a better angle...ya know with the 2 piece driveshaft the first part is usually purty straight and all of the angle is made up in the second piece of the driveshaft. This would require a steeper angle because the shaft is shorter. Other than that I don't know except less moving parts, less maintanence, and being able to say I have a telephone pole sized shaft....ummm...driveshaft :D
JP

doesnt bell tech make a relocation bracket for the carrier bearing? or is the 4x4 different? man, you should LOWER that thing some...sits to high still

Here is a pic!



I'm not usually a big fan of lowered trucks but that thing is too cool. :ro)

doesnt bell tech make a relocation bracket for the carrier bearing? or is the 4x4 different? man, you should LOWER that thing some...sits to high still

Now that looks like Censored ....:rolleyes:

Good tip! I will call belltech and see what they have.


I wanted to go a little lower but still be able to tow my 5thwheel. Overall it has worked out pretty nice.

Got to love the 19.5's

Wow...truck looks AWESOME. Thanks for posting pics. Just got the spousal unit to signoff on lowering mine. Been working on that one for 5 months.

Nothing Cooler then a lowered Dually!:ro)

You will love how it rides and handles.


Mike

I never understood the concept of lowering a truck. They are not meant to be lowered, they are meant to look bigger and not blow out body parts going over a speed bump or a curb, or in some cases a small wall.
Mark

Kimagin,

That is why vehicles come in so many shapes and sizes! To each his own.

My truck does not bottom out on speed bumps. infact I have yet to bottom out on anything and I get on some perty ugly roads.

I didn't slamm mine for that reason I went with a moderate kit so it still could be a work truck.

I think it handles better, stops better, really looks better and it should get better milage.

Based on your pic it does not look too low, but some of the trucks I've seen are just baffling to me. I admit your's does look good.
You are absolutely correct about the "to each his own" thing, and I was just expressing my opinion. I also do realize this: opinions are like a$$holes and everyone has one.
Bear with me, I come from the old school where trucks were used for driving over things and not for cruising down the streets at street level.
Hay, I'm getting old now.;)
No offense intended.
Mark

How does it do in the snow out there and what tires are you running?
Mark

Well, you can avoid this:

http://www.lifeinwidescreen.com/siihp/Rolled.jpg

That's a little ugly.
Hey what did they do with the wheels???:rolleyes:
Hope that wasn't your truck, and hope everyone was alright. What was the cause?
Mark

The door handles look like fords.
Mark

Kimagine

No offense at all!

I don't offend easy. These boards should have a offense meter to let people now if you get offended easy!

It does pretty good in the snow. I have Michelin rv tires. they are great on the freeway and get reallly good milage compared to stock. I couldn't live without 4x4 thou!

Mcrat that looks pretty bad! The way a ford should be!

Mpyle , cool truck , Mine is lowered too, not too low but more user friendly.

Car hauler,

Your truck is super cool! about the same as mine:ro)


Just came from the Miss Nude San Fran. contest!

My buddy was a judge.

What a night! It is 4:00am now! and I am checking DP?:cool:


Pyle

Now that looks like Censored ....:rolleyes:who cares:exactly:

mpyle, are those 19.5s you got on there?

Yes Shindle Engineering 19.5 Billets

Don't know if they are worth the coin but they do look good.

Guys,

I had my Mcgaughy's (Mcgoys) 3-5 deluxe lowering kit installed a few weeks ago by a pretty experienced shop. They have done a lot of dropped dually’s but never a 4x4. I though I would share my experience.

There where a bit more issues then I would have thought.

1st the carrier bearings vibrates like hell. We have to cut and weld the bracket in a new location. Mcgaughys said that this is normal on some trucks and said that we should shim the rear end but you can’t shim the rear end on a 3500 so you need to move the barring location.

2nd the rear still does not come down enough on the 4x4. Even with the 5 inches it still looks super high. In fact we put the stock keys in the front to get the front to match the rear better. So really it is a 2-5 drop. It should have been a 3-7.

3rd the front and back hit the bump stops pretty easily. Even after we cut the rear pump stop down per the install instruction.


Overall I am happy with the out come. I even think it rides much better with a little more weight distributed on the rear. Stock ride height on the 4x4’s is very high in the back so all the weight is forward when unloaded.

I also added an air bag system that was also a bit more difficult then expected. You cannot fit normal style double convoluted bags on these 3500’s Duallys. You have to use the cheesy sleeve bags that don’t have the weight load rating. Still trying to find a better solution for that.

BTW- You need 17” or larger wheels for this kit. I have 19.5’s so it was not a problem.

are you on meth or crack? how can you say in one of your post you have been on some nasty roads? maybe we should redifine the word nasty here. your frame is so close to the ground its scary. in stock format the frames on the chevy/gmc are already low well below the body. looks to me like you should have bought a 4x4 minivan. if you do drive in the snow you will be plowing snow. any rutted roads and you will hang your frame up with ease. what a waste of a truck. to say you go off road with a trailer is funny let me lol. now if you are meaning some flat gravel road then ok thats your off road. you should have bought a 2 wheel drive 1500 and slammed it. some could also say my truck is too big. but when you pull into some real off road with a trailer attatched you will not be dragging your front and real differential through the sand.

Diesel Man,
):h
When I said nasty roads I meant nasty for trailering a 41ft KZ toy hauler. I go to the Sand Dunes often and drive off the road on bumpy roads. Not to many yet since I just lowered it but I feel like I can drive my truck anywhere my 5th wheel can go. I also Goto Glamis often and it’s a long drive. I am more concerned about road handling then road clearance since I spend 99% of my driving on the Interstate.

The frame is still higher then my suburban and it goes through the snow pretty well.

It’s a good thing you truck is so high since the snow is so deep in Orange County! I am sure you can drive thru snow 10ft deep.):h

As for the sand I have sand toys for that I don’t need to drive my $50k truck thru the sand.

To each his own!

I am glad you are happy with your truck, its you paying the payments!
;) ):h

God knows anything anyone drives thats different than what I like should not be on the road! and I know everything. Ya wanna road race Diesel Man.I get so sick of people that think thier likes and dislikes are the "be all,end all" of the world.(end of rant)

Diesel Man,
):h
When I said nasty roads I meant nasty for trailering a 41ft KZ toy hauler. I go to the Sand Dunes often and drive off the road on bumpy roads. Not to many yet since I just lowered it but I feel like I can drive my truck anywhere my 5th wheel can go. I also Goto Glamis often and it’s a long drive. I am more concerned about road handling then road clearance since I spend 99% of my driving on the Interstate.

The frame is still higher then my suburban and it goes through the snow pretty well.

It’s a good thing you truck is so high since the snow is so deep in Orange County! I am sure you can drive thru snow 10ft deep.):h

As for the sand I have sand toys for that I don’t need to drive my $50k truck thru the sand.

To each his own!

I am glad you are happy with your truck, its you paying the payments!
;) ):h

your right no snow for me. i would like to test it out though. you have fun with your truck:) . i was just trying to figure out how you were driving through rough roads. i camp out in the sand in glamis and not on the road too much so i do need the clearance.

God knows anything anyone drives thats different than what I like should not be on the road! and I know everything. Ya wanna road race Diesel Man.I get so sick of people that think thier likes and dislikes are the "be all,end all" of the world.(end of rant)

carhauler-SHUT UP . i was taking exception to him saying he drove on nasty roads not to the fact that his rig is different than mine.

Dieselman , read your own post , I can't see your truck very well because the picture is to small , but it looks good and I am sure it does what you want it to do,and thats good too , but why is it most everyone has such a problem with "low" that has a Jacked up truck? Seriously , educate me.




are you on meth or crack? how can you say in one of your post you have been on some nasty roads? maybe we should redifine the word nasty here. your frame is so close to the ground its scary. in stock format the frames on the chevy/gmc are already low well below the body. looks to me like you should have bought a 4x4 minivan. if you do drive in the snow you will be plowing snow. any rutted roads and you will hang your frame up with ease. what a waste of a truck. to say you go off road with a trailer is funny let me lol. now if you are meaning some flat gravel road then ok thats your off road. you should have bought a 2 wheel drive 1500 and slammed it. some could also say my truck is too big. but when you pull into some real off road with a trailer attatched you will not be dragging your front and real differential through the sand.

Heck guys,
I didn't mean to start a jacked up or lowered truck war, I just passed out a mild opinion. I don't even have a dually, just a GMC 3500. I have not lifted it yet due to finances and how to do it.
Best of luck to all of you and yes I do like the higher trucks as opposed to the lowered truck but a couple of the ones that have been posted here look good as they are. It's just the ones sitting on the ground that have me baffled. I work with a crew that travels around the country running the slammed cars and small truck. In fact I was just looking at the lowrider magazine and they were in it for winning something in Chicago.
It is cool watching them jump up and down but I just never saw any everyday functional use for them.
I'm glad people are like me and don't get offended at an opinion, well aside from a couple of the most recent posts:rant: :rant: :blahblah: :blahblah: Censored Censored :ro) .
A couple of them could have used some animation, it would have made the point funnier.:lol:
Have fun guys,
Mark

Well, if we're talking about the degree of difficulty for off-road trails, any truck with 35"+ tires and IFS is sort of a joke anyway. Anything that presents a significant challenge (i.e. Tellico, Moab, Uwharrie, etc.) will break IFS components before long. I'm not picking on anybody, but you know the old adage about stones and glass houses.

:drop_mout :confuzeld -:t

It is cool watching them jump up and down but I just never saw any everyday functional use for them. not all trucks (and cars) that sit on the ground are for hopping (jumping up and down). take a trip over here to the west coast to some of the more popular ski lakes like Lakes Mead, Havasu, and Mohave to name a few and count the handfulls of lowered trucks (some on bags) with some pretty big boats behind them. all im saying is is that just because its lowered doesnt mean its useless. to quote beavis and butthead "...if everything was cool and nothing sucked, how would you know what was cool..."

doesnt bell tech make a relocation bracket for the carrier bearing? or is the 4x4 different? man, you should LOWER that thing some...sits to high still


I checked and BellTech does not but Chassis Tech does have a relocation braket. I have one on order it should be hear next week.


All I know is that I personally love lowered duallys and am proud to own one. I respect other peoples taste and views.

I love this place!:ro)

MPyle , I did this with mine to see if I wanted it lower, whatta ya think ? I like it!

Here is a pic!

Usually I am not at all a fan of lowered trucks, but yours really does look good. Good job:cool2:

Carhauler

That looks pretty damn good:ro)

Just imagine how much crp I would get it mine was that low :help2:

You have great taste!):h


Mike

I am seriously considering AIR RIDE TECH set up if the Oheats situation gets settled either on this truck or a new one , its so pricey but the more I talk to people with one the better it sound , what I like is all the wives say "take the dually it rides better" thats gotta be good.

sdfsd

Sdfsd ???

What the hell is sdfsd?

wow good question. i typed a response yesturday and i just checked it and it looked like that. magic.......

Most of the words I could coem up with for that acronym where not very nice!Censored ):h

Are just trying to get your post numbers up?
):h

Mike

Update!

I had the carrier barring moved up, it helped one sound but made it vibrate at different speeds.

When I drove it to Phoenix with my chopper in the bed it wasn’t too bad. When I unloaded the bike the vibration got way worse.

I took it to the local 4Wheel parts on Saturday and they looked at it and said it needed shims to get the pinion angle right. So they installed a set of 2deg shims. This made it better but it still was not right.

I called them back and they said that I needed to move the carrier barring back to stock location.

So I took it back to the shop in Salt Lake and they looked at it and said they need to make a shim to shim the barring back down. They also said that it looked like the shims in the rear-end where installed backwards. So they changed those and sent me down the road to see if that helped. Well it made it the worst it’s been.

So I plan to take it back to the Salt lake shop to fix the rear-end shims and put the shim they made for the barring in.

I am crossing my fingers!

Mike

Update!

I had the carrier barring moved up, it helped one sound but made it vibrate at different speeds.

When I drove it to Phoenix with my chopper in the bed it wasn’t too bad. When I unloaded the bike the vibration got way worse.

I took it to the local 4Wheel parts on Saturday and they looked at it and said it needed shims to get the pinion angle right. So they installed a set of 2deg shims. This made it better but it still was not right.

I called them back and they said that I needed to move the carrier barring back to stock location.

So I took it back to the shop in Salt Lake and they looked at it and said they need to make a shim to shim the barring back down. They also said that it looked like the shims in the rear-end where installed backwards. So they changed those and sent me down the road to see if that helped. Well it made it the worst it’s been.

So I plan to take it back to the Salt lake shop to fix the rear-end shims and put the shim they made for the barring in.

I am crossing my fingers!

Mike
So, no luck with the one-piece driveshaft option?
JP

I have never understood slamming a dually to the ground or jacking one up 6-8++ inches, so it tips over like a dead guppy!

However, I have to say your truck looks GREAT! Nice job! And practical!! you can still use it for hauling a big a$$ trailer safely and not trying to tow with a 10" dropped popsicle stick hitch.

We took it to a drive line place and they said they didn't have a long enough one available. Besides it would cost a lot more.

If this does not work I will look into a custom drive line.


I hope I won't have to.


3535,

thanks for the compliments!

I tried to keep a balance between form and function!

We took it to a drive line place and they said they didn't have a long enough one available. Besides it would cost a lot more.

If this does not work I will look into a custom drive line.


I hope I won't have to.


I'm not sure you are aware of this, but some of the 2001's & '02's & maybe '03's came with one-piece drive shafts. Mine is an '01 and it has the one piece design. No custom work at all just head to your nearest dealer or wrecking yard. Food for thought.
JP

Did the Crew Cabs 4X4's have 1 piece?

This would be great!

Thanks for the info:ro)

I have an 04 DRW CC 3500. I tow a 40' fifth wheel car hauler with living quarters that weighs about 16,000 lbs. The 3/5 lowering looks great, but will it hurt the towing capacity any?

Did the Crew Cabs 4X4's have 1 piece?

This would be great!

Thanks for the info:ro)
Good question. Mine is an ext. cab so I'm not sure. Anybody out there know if the Crew Cabs came with the one-piece drive shaft.
JP

Mpyle, I have had no problem with the ground force kit for vibration, smooth as silk. it comes with all the adjustment built into the springs and perches etc. I would imagine if your bike was in back and it was better , get a angle tool ( don't know what they call it ,its like a leval with a adjustable angle , check it and then unload and see the difference , it might take several tries. also find a stock one and see the difference. you may have done all this already. Bludmax , Mine tows great ,heavy trailer 6000 + on the rear axle

Update!

I took my truck to the local 4wheel parts and they fixed it in about 2 hours. They put the Carrier up and raised the back of the transfer case about 1". Then they shimmed the rear end 2deg.

The vibe is gone, wife is not happy about that ;)

Now I can start working on other mods!

THanks for your feedback and help this site Rocks!!!


Mike

Carhauler
What brand and type of lowering system do you have on your truck? Also, how much is it supposed to lower the truck?

Thanks

It looks very nice Mike. I don't like the frame rails showing. But I would not think it is worth all the trouble you are going through to make it right. A vibration would drive me nuts. I'll keep mine stock although I wish it was easier to get into. A set of running board is next for me.

Bart

Update!

I had the carrier barring moved up, it helped one sound but made it vibrate at different speeds.

When I drove it to Phoenix with my chopper in the bed it wasn’t too bad. When I unloaded the bike the vibration got way worse.

I took it to the local 4Wheel parts on Saturday and they looked at it and said it needed shims to get the pinion angle right. So they installed a set of 2deg shims. This made it better but it still was not right.

I called them back and they said that I needed to move the carrier barring back to stock location.

So I took it back to the shop in Salt Lake and they looked at it and said they need to make a shim to shim the barring back down. They also said that it looked like the shims in the rear-end where installed backwards. So they changed those and sent me down the road to see if that helped. Well it made it the worst it’s been.

So I plan to take it back to the Salt lake shop to fix the rear-end shims and put the shim they made for the barring in.

I am crossing my fingers!

Mike

Night Sailor. It seems like Mikes vibration is not the norm , I have a 3/5 kit from Ground Force and no problems , Most kits havs shims for pinion angle which are very important. I agree about the frame showing ,I have a 1/2 ton 06 silverado loaner right now and it sure looks better from the side. I eventually am going to make a skirt for the side if I keep this truck ( Its in the dealer for more Oheat upgrades) and may get bought back.

i have a 06 crew cab 4x4 and want to lower the rear only about 3 " is there a kit for it or what do you sugest

I think everyone here has nice trucks..Lowered looks good, and lifted looks good. I have a 06 3500 CC DRW 4x4, and i want to lift mine about 4 inches, and put 19.5 alcoas. You guys need to ease up on each other. It a Truck...not a Chick:lol:

Carhauler,

Is yours 4X4?

I didn't think ground force made a kit for my truck.


Mike

Mike , Mine is 2 wheel drive , I think they make a kit for 4x4 but I am not sure , I know McCaughys does. It has a different set up . I think the grounf force kit would work as the 4x is independent and the front is just keys .

I have the Mcgaughys kit.

You can't use a 2 wheel drive kit since the 4wheel has drive axles going right where the springs would be. I am pretty sure the mcgaughys is the only kit out for the 4x4 or 6x6 in my case.

I still don't get why no one else had drive line vib problems. Maybe they do and just don't care. I am pretty anal about stuff so i try and make it perfect which is a battle with custom stuff.

Mike

It'd look a lot better if it was a Chevy! :lol:

I lowered my 4x4 Dmax cause I already had a lifted 4x4. It is nice to get good mileage, cops don't f with me, and it is fast.

Lowered duallies kick a$$!!!!! I sure do miss mine. It hauled my show truck around with no problems. I will have one again some day.

http://photos.imageevent.com/pharcydecustoms/jeffstruck/websize/DSC00017.JPG

6 shooter- I bought the GMC because the front matches the back. I think it looks a little wierd to have a front end with sharp edges and the back al rounded. It looks 1 person desinged the front and another designed the rearend. I think Chevy should have changed the rear fenders to match the new front.
IMO

ABQ that is super nice! I wish I could have made mine lower but I had to stay with 4x4.

Pyle