LOWERING YOUR SPORT TRUCK, OR IN THIS CASE MINI-TRUCK, RIGHT THE FIRST TIME IS SOMETHING WE TRY TO INSTILL INTO OUR READERS. Be patient, do research and save your cash until you are fully prepared to do it right. Gone are the days of insider info and industry secrets. Information is easy to access, and if the manufacturer is on top of its game, that information is constantly updated and freely shared. Case in point is Belltech. The company’s Street Performance complete lowering kits include all the parts, pieces and shock absorbers you need to achieve not only the look you want, but the ride quality, performance and safety you need. Belltech also keep all its install manuals online for free to download whether you buy the kit or not. This way you can not only research the parts, but also understand how they are installed even before you crack out that credit card. How nice would that have been when we were in high school!
These complete lowering kits are your all-in-one box solution. Made up of a variety of combinations of our individual lowering components as well as all the grade 8 installation hardware and alignment pieces necessary to achieve the advertised lowering amount, choosing your kit has never been simpler. This combination is perfect for our teenage tester Collin Hagge. Collin’s dad Brian wanted to make his son’s 16th birthday one for the ages, so he handed Collin the keys and let him go. A phone call to Belltech didn’t take long to happen and a Belltech 4-inch front and 5-inch rear suspension kit with Street Performance Shocks was ordered.
We will continue to follow this build throughout its evolution, starting with some new shoes and a tighter stance. Follow Collin Hagge’s Instagram page @in.da. grass.photography for updates on Project High School HAUL’R.
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With new wheels installed, it’s clear a lower stance is necessary. Collin ordered a Belltech 4-inch front, and 5-inch rear suspension kit with Street Performance Shocks. Part #616SP
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Collin hung the caliper with some zip ties and moved on the hub.
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With the truck on jack stands, the wheels are removed, and the teen’s wrench turners can get to work. They need to replace the spindle, spring and shock.
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The brake caliper is the first to go and it just takes a few turns of a socket to make it happen. No disconnecting the brake lines needed!
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Josh Rowan of Rowan Conceptz was nearby and wanted to contribute to the project. He stepped up to do a rendering for the mini-truck.
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First and foremost, the leaf spring U-bolts are removed and thrown away. Belltech supplies all new hardware so this is not needed.
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The leaf spring is next to be removed; an impact gun can make quick work of this.
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With the lower control arm supported with a jack and the spindle removed, Collin can now remove the shock bolts and slowly lower the jack to remove the spring.
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Now the teen crew can focus on the rear of their high school hauler. Luckily for them, the leaf spring is already under the axle so it’s an easy install!
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The dust cap, cotter pin and bolt are removed, and the rotor assembly can slide off.
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Next, they removed the cotter pin and bolt that hold the steering linkage to the spindle.
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With the new spring in place, the jack can be lifted again, and the spindle can be put into place.
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The dust shield is next to slide on and then the brakes. It’s probably a lot easier than you think!
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When lowering the rear of an S10/
S15 4-6 inches you must check that the yoke is properly positioned in the transmission. The rear transmission seal must be in the original position on the yoke.
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New suspension under this old truck looks great, especially next to those new sporty tires!
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The new leaf springs are clearly marked so there is no mistake when installing the new gear.
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Lowering blocks and new U-bolts attach the axle to the springs and lower the body the thickness of the blocks.
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Be sure to support the axle so it can stay in place while you swap out the leaf springs.