Body Drop or Suspension Drop?

[93Metal]

Ok, I'm practically a red-shirt when it comes to dropping trucks. I don't know if whether i should body or suspension drop my truck. I want to have a really stable, sports-car like handling and performance while keeping a good ride quality and no harsh jitters. I think i would probably have to get front and rear anti-sway bars, and a new sport suspension for that though....main thing is, i want an agressive look, super stable ride, no body roll, and just low enough to go ever speed bump without going sideways.

Opinions?

Thanks.

[s10xtremist]

For what you want, a body drop is not the way to go. A body drop is pretty much for those that are 'bagged, and want to lay body. Find someone (or a salvage yard) that has a wrecked Xtreme or any S-series with the ZQ8 suspension, or someone that removed their ZQ8 stuff to lift or 'bag their truck. You'll need the springs (front and rear) and the sway bars with brackets and endlinks. If the bars aren't available, get some off a 4-door Blazer, they're the same. The extended cabs had an extra frame brace just behind the cab. If possible, get the steering box for a quicker turn ratio. This will lower your truck about 1.5" and give a more sporty and nimble feel. If you want to go a bit lower for looks and lower center of gravity, add some 2" spindles and blocks. Don't forget the shocks. I recommend the Bilsteins that come on the Xtreme/ZQ8 trucks from the factory, but there are equivalents. Install all new bushings (I recommend polyurethane), and ball joints if yours are original or starting to wear. Finish it off with some decently wide tires- around 245mm +/-. The full tire size will vary with what size wheels you want, but you should aim for a wheel around 8" wide and with 4" - 4.5" backspace (0 - 13mm offset). Chances are that you will have a bit of rubbing at full lock, but it won't be bad enough to worry about. Just back the steering wheel off slightly- you're not gonna miss the ~1 degree of turning radius.

[93Metal]

For what you want, a body drop is not the way to go. A body drop is pretty much for those that are 'bagged, and want to lay body. Find someone (or a salvage yard) that has a wrecked Xtreme or any S-series with the ZQ8 suspension, or someone that removed their ZQ8 stuff to lift or 'bag their truck. You'll need the springs (front and rear) and the sway bars with brackets and endlinks. If the bars aren't available, get some off a 4-door Blazer, they're the same. The extended cabs had an extra frame brace just behind the cab. If possible, get the steering box for a quicker turn ratio. This will lower your truck about 1.5" and give a more sporty and nimble feel. If you want to go a bit lower for looks and lower center of gravity, add some 2" spindles and blocks. Don't forget the shocks. I recommend the Bilsteins that come on the Xtreme/ZQ8 trucks from the factory, but there are equivalents. Install all new bushings (I recommend polyurethane), and ball joints if yours are original or starting to wear. Finish it off with some decently wide tires- around 245mm +/-. The full tire size will vary with what size wheels you want, but you should aim for a wheel around 8" wide and with 4" - 4.5" backspace (0 - 13mm offset). Chances are that you will have a bit of rubbing at full lock, but it won't be bad enough to worry about. Just back the steering wheel off slightly- you're not gonna miss the ~1 degree of turning radius.

I have the ZQ8 logo-thing on the side of my truck on the back of the bed....does that mean i have the sport edition or anything :confused:? Also, is there a kit that i can get with anti-sway bars, shocks, springs, everything?

[Rinkrat456]

Look on the glove box RPO code sticker - it's more reliable than a decal on the side of the truck.

I didn't know GM advertised the ZQ8 suspension??? Anyone want to confirm/deny this?

Kits that you're looking for don't exist because a company would put together a bunch of parts specific to ONE person's opinion on what a truck should handle like. YOU need to research into the available options and assess what aspects of YOUR truck you wish to make handle better.

[s10xtremist]

That would be great if you have the ZQ8 Sport Suspension package already. Like Rinkrat said, check the RPO codes on the inside of your glovebox for the code "ZQ8". Your truck should also have 16"X8" alloy wheels. The GVWR sticker on the driver's door jamb will have tire sizes of 235/55R-16 as well. If you have the ZQ8 package, your truck should already handle nicely. All you'll need are the drop spindles and angled blocks. If your truck is an extended cab, you'll most likely need the driveline alignment kit from JTR/Stealth Conversions. I recommend their drop blocks, also. Handling performance will degrade noticeably with aged/worn components, especially bushings. So, while you're making up your list of parts to get, consider polyurethane bushings. Suspension and steering parts wear out and will need to be replaced sooner than later. So, if you have to take it apart to install drop components, you may as well replace everything in the vicinity and upgrade while you're at it. I firmly believe that these key components will give you the handling characteristics you're after.

[93Metal]

Sorry guys...it's not a ZQ8 it's a ZQ9. What does the ZQ9 mean?

[s10xtremist]

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[93Metal]

.......thanks......well, now i know that i have the "Black-Out Package" which I really liked about this truck. My stock rims are pretty much awesome in need of rejuvenation. Along with all the other blackout parts. and pinstripe.

[Dimematters]

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That's funny !