Lowering

[jeff56]

Hey Terry:

I've seen some posts where you do some suspension work. I've got some Western Chassis hangers on the way and plan on getting some So-Cal Shock extenders as well. Is that install something you could handle? The shock extenders are cake, but I'm not willing to tackle the hangers with no air tools!

Could you give me an estimate on what this would cost? Feel free to pm me with the info if you want. This is all for an 02 HD

[L8 APEX]

I don't use those componenets in my shop but I will install about anything you bring me. Front leaf hangers are a real PITA between torching the stock rivets, burning the frame coating off and cheiseling out the old rivets. Then drilling new holes etc. I assume the front is already lowered. It would be about $150 to install it for you:tu:

[jeff56]

The front is at 17" and the back is at 18", so I'm just going to set the hangers at 2" and the shackles at 1" to even her out. Later on, if I drop the front any, I'll bump up the shackles to the 2nd hole.

I've heard many a story about the hangers being a PITA! I saw another thread where you de-arched the leaf springs to acheive some drop. Can you elaborate on that a bit; ie: how does it effect ride and load handling?

[L8 APEX]

I remove the leafs and take them to a spring shop they have a huge hydralic bender and can take out arch by the .25". The only affect it has on load handling is like any other drop system it moves the axle closer to the bump stops on the frame. Therefore you have less travel before you bottom out. Of course with the front at 17" it is already on the stops or no stops at all. I don't like going that low in the front or rear it is a real compramise with bump steer and overall handling. Maybe a set of JLP 3" shackles would get you the extra you are looking for without hacking up the hangers.

[jeff56]

I am giving real thought to just doing the JLP shackles, some shock extenders and being done with it. Like you say, that might be a whole lot better than torching up the stock hangers.

The front is actually stock. It may be closer to 17 1/4, but not any more than that. If I do go with the hangers, I'll be in touch. I appreciate your comments/time and will be in touch with any performance mods I do. After installing my FTVB, I swore I'd just pay to have anything else done. I have this ability to make even the simplest installs take 5 times as long as it should :D