New X, Many Questions - Diesel Forum

Paul Crowl · 07-07-2005, 01:33 AM

OK, jumping once again into the diesel market, we just set up a good deal on a '05 Limited 2WD with all the bells and whistles for my wife. We'll pick it up tomorrow or Saturday. She wanted the lower ride height and stance of the 2WD and intends to have it lowered a bit more after talking to one of her friends, who's husband owns a custom shop and did a outstanding job on their Yukon.

OK, I need to learn about a minor lowering (2" front, 3" rear, from their conversation). Is it just a front spring cut or replace and changing out small parts/ rear leaf replacement, or much more involved? We'll probably have it done if it's an involved process, but if it's fairly simple, I can do it in my shop.

Wheels/tires- Will be changing out for 20" or possibly 22" and appropriate tires ASAP. Anyone have experience with realistic tire size combos? I'm thinking to keep the same basic overall diameter and manageable width, to avoid fender well surgery. Can 20"/ 22" tires be had in load range E? or will I be screwing up the tow capacity? (I'll never tow much weight with this, that's what my truck is for.

Probably many more Q's over the next weeks, this truck is so much more refined than my '96 F350. The intake, exhaust and chip/ tuner will have to wait a few months, that's a whole other issue [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

2002ex · 07-07-2005, 02:52 PM

I think only DJM has a lowering kit for the X, and it involves dropped beams up front and relocated rear spring hangers. Looks like around a 3/4 drop. Beware, the rear of the truck tends to look drooped down with ths setup.

On my 2WD, I stayed at stock height, and have 305/50/20 tires on 20x8.5 Weld wheels. That size is approx. the same diameter (31-32") as stock, and fits nicely with just slight rubbing at full steering lock. It's a good look, the tires don't loo like rubber bands, and fills out the wheel wells great. 22's will fit, just keep the width to a 305, and the overall height around 32". I've gone taller on a previous set of tires (275/60/20 - 33") and mileage, acceleration, and braking suffered.

Some old pictures here (with the 275/60/20's) 20" wheels

Be sure to install the rear sway bar (Hellwig - $150 or so) and some nice aftermarket shocks (I did bilsteins). They really make it handle better at all speeds.

camperman · 07-07-2005, 09:58 PM

I can't imagine anyone wanting to lower this truck. One of the things I like most about the 4x4 is the ride height. Great visibility and with the running boards getting in and out is a piece of cake.

Paul Crowl · 07-08-2005, 10:50 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I can't imagine anyone wanting to lower this truck. One of the things I like most about the 4x4 is the ride height.

[/ QUOTE ]

Why? Because I can.

Granted, it's a nice vehicle, but we want to make it nicer, in a clean and well done way. No cheesy, crappy mods or curb feelers [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

My interpretation of my wife's "Vision" for her new kid mover- Blackout Limited, lowered just enough to allow the tires to fill the wheel wells, 20" wheels w/ 305/50 R20 tires, tint the front side windows to match the rest, Mild chip/ tuner, better air intake, 4" full exhaust. Done. Let the kids watch the DVD so we can talk in peace...