Prior to buying this kit, I watched the posts here for some time, and saw a lot of good comments about the Belltech. It wasn't until last week (I believe) that I saw the thread about this problem. I already had the kit by then. Anyway, I just got it installed and couldn't believe how bad it was. I had a 3/4 on my HD and not once did it hit (difference in height I know). I left it over night to have the rear moved back to the third hole (it's in fourth right now). It also sits a bit lower in the rear than the front in the fourth hole. So, here's the question please. If moving to the third hole doesn't fix bottoming out, is shaving the bump stops or a c-notch my only recourse? I have the nitro shocks, can I get something stiffer? And if I do nothing what damage could be done? I don't even know where it's hitting. Thanks, and please excuse my ignorance. Spent most of my youth on the ball field.

 

You are hitting the stops. You need shorter stops or cut the factory stops down. That much drop in the rear is very close to needing a C-notch to maintain suspension travel. You also need shorter sway bar end links and cam-bolt kits for alignment. stiffer shocks will not make a difference.

 

hey silver are the new endlinks really necessary? what happens if a person doesnt use them? And if they are necesarry where can I get some?

 

I went with a C-notch. TO tell you the truth, the cnoth was easier to do than the new Hangers. Just make sure you have a couple of Jacks to support the frame. I used 3 total. One behind the rear and 2 in front. That way you have less of a chance of bending something. Also make sure you have good Drill bits.

 

i would move it up one hole on the rear... that way your truck doesn't look like it is sagging in the rear - can't stand that on lowered lightnings.

 

Thanks, but I'm not using the factory stops. The kit included some red stops. I could shorten them though. Also, does anyone have pics of where the c-notch goes and what it looks like? And what should I expect a body/suspension shop to charge to do it? Thanks again!

 

End links are only necessary if you want your sway bars to perform as intended. Try a search on it, there is a ton of info.

 

mine also bottomed out badly, especially with the roads around here, first I tried the second hole, the first pic, but still hit to much, then I tried putting on the stock shackles back on but left the hangers, and it is much better, im guessing I have a 3/2 now, but with it being parked next to a 2000 L with just the belltech 2" shackles my back end sits lower. the second pic is the truck now with the stock shackles, it sit the way I wanted, in either hole with the belltech shackles the back was lower than the front. also remember to cut the front stops, as rest mine were sitting on the stops, that could cause alot of the bottoming out..


Jim

 

Yes I also put the stock shackels back on. It still sits lower than a L with a 2" shackel drop and does not bottom out at all. Get some Doetsche shocks and dump the Belltech ones.

 

I also had lowering shackles. I started at the lowest hole, then moved up to the higher position, and then back to the stock position because I could not put anything in the back without bottoming. I think the springs have lost some height over the 32,000 miles I have driven the truck.

 

I had the same problem with my old Bell Tech kit. My kit did not come with any shims and my Eibach kit did. I believe I used 6 degree shims and I do not have any issues bottoming out after triming the bumpstops. Hope this hepls-Neil

 

I just got my truck back after having the rear shackels moved to the third hole. I havn't went over any major bumps yet, but there is a marked difference. Hasn't hit yet. When it does, my next move will be to shave the stops. Thanks guys. Pics of the Beaut tomorrow!