Better ride with a lowered Xtreme

[Rutzy15]

I have a 2003 Xtreme, reg. cab, short bed, regular Xtreme wheels and goodyear tires. I have lowered it with 2" drop spindles in the front and 3" drop blocks in the back. The ride is rough as hell but I love the way it looks. Is there any way to keep the lowered look but maintain the nice stock ride. I was thinking about switching the blocks for leaf springs as it feels like most of the rough ride is coming from the back. If this would be the answer what drop springs should I use and where could I get them? What about bump stops? and where would I get these?

[King_Ice_flash]

The belltech drop leafs are a LOT softer. ZQ8 front springs with 2" spindles, and Belltech leafs in the back sits pretty level and low:

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w4/nevinsb/IMG_1929.jpg

[Rutzy15]

Also, what would be the best suspension for an Xtreme. Keep in mind I am looking for the best quality, not cheapest, and I want to maintain the 2" in front and 3" in the rear (after the ZQ8). What kind of sway bars, springs, coils, shocks, etc.?

[DMP]

I have Belltech coils and Belltech Nitro Drop 2 shocks. Im happy with them, but there might a better setup out there. Eibach, Edelbrock...etc. maybe? If they even offer anything for these trucks, which I think they do. I have ZQ8 swaybars with Prothane bushings. Id recommend changing the sway bar bushings, and body mount bushings. Id go with Belltech leafs instead of the blocks. It should ride pretty good then.

[BigTruckDrivah]

Sounds like you got the front right with spindles, but I would toss those blocks out for some leafs. I just did a 5/6 on my first gen with leafs and it rides GREAT! Bump stops aren't a problem if your only lowering 3in in the back. But if you want you can just cut them out like I did, lol. I've used about all lowering kit manufactures and all are pretty much the same until you get to the drop shocks.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb230/xacy0303/IMGP0038.jpg
see, no more bump stops, I believe there is a sticky on how to do this.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb230/xacy0303/IMGP0036.jpg

[BigTruckDrivah]

http://www.s10planet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7549
Here is the bumpstop removal sticky. I believe the bumpstops will be the same on your sec. gen.. It doesnt look like much clearance between my frame and axle but I hav't bottomed once since the drop, I figured I'd still feel a lil frame bumpin but the leafs and shocks work great.

[holsinger17]

another benefit with leafs it also keeps the pinion angle on the rear often when the rear is lowered with blocks it changes the angle for the pinion gear. so best bet is lose the blocks and go with springs

[King_Ice_flash]

Leaf springs do not correct for the pinion angle or axle distance. I still needed to use 3 deg shims. I didn't need setback plates, but he still may.

[White-V-6-S-Ten]

A buddie of mine bagged his dime and it rides very very nice now!!!!!!
I want to bag mine now!

[12sws27]

Leaf springs do not correct for the pinion angle or axle distance. I still needed to use 3 deg shims. I didn't need setback plates, but he still may.
X2. Either way you go, the rear end is still moved closer to the frame and pinion angle changes. I have belltech drop leafs and 3*shims. Only thing negative I can say about my leafs is that I've had real bad wheel hop ever since I added my them.

[King_Ice_flash]

That's why I use Caltracs ;)

[BigTruckDrivah]

That's why I use Caltracs ;)

Those Caltracs prevent wheel hop?

[12sws27]

Those Caltracs prevent wheel hop?
Yeah and they're ajustible so you can get a better launch. But they're like $400 :(

[King_Ice_flash]

Think they were 375. For the minimal price over the slide-a-links, it was worth it.

[12sws27]

I'll be getting some sooner or later. Just dont know if it will be Caltrax, slidalinks or some of the ones boosted thrills from sseriesforum makes.

[BigTruckDrivah]

Oh so they are basically slide-a-links, just a different name. I'm not worried about launch time, I just want that nasty wheel hop to stop.

[12sws27]

Oh so they are basically slide-a-links, just a different name. I'm not worried about launch time, I just want that nasty wheel hop to stop.
Search for "Hellwig 550" on the summit site. They help a little. I got a cheap sett from auto zone that or some what simular to the hellwigs but my wheel hop only went away for a short while. I guess they wore out already. So dont go the cheap route. I think the hellwig stiffeners are only around $50 anyways. The ones I got from autozone were like $25. Mike(aka Mikz86TA) has the hellwigs. Check out his suspension thread. I beleive he has a link to it in his sig.

[BigTruckDrivah]

10-fo

[BigTruckDrivah]

Those Helwigs wont raise the azz of my truck will they? That would be defeating my drop.

[12sws27]

Those Helwigs wont raise the azz of my truck will they? That would be defeating my drop.
No, I seriously doubt it. The El-Cheapo's I got didn't.

[12sws27]

Only thing negative I can say about my leafs is that I've had real bad wheel hop ever since I added my them.
Oh I have one more thing to say about the leafs....well maybe two. My ass end swats down with just the weight of a 4l60e in the back. Also, I'm not sure if it's the DJM Cal-Max shocks or the Belltech leafs but its a little bouncing in the rear. But very very little. Could very well be the shocks. IMO DJM Calmax drop shocks=garbage.

[slammincny123]

Dont you just get the aligned drop blocks to fix the pinion angle when just using a 3 inch drop in the back of a xtreme? thats what beltech told me

[12sws27]

Dont you just get the aligned drop blocks to fix the pinion angle when just using a 3 inch drop in the back of a xtreme? thats what beltech told me Sure if you wanna use thier blocks. If you ever plan on having some extra HP you can break them. Solid is better. I havent since any solid angled blocks my self. Doesn't mean there isn't any though. Also if you're lowerd with springs you need them.