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Lowering with just sensor arms

B

bcron

New Member
Joined
Dec 8, 2020
Messages
5
Been looking at lowering options for my 07 Av. I don’t really want to put much money into the truck right now. What I would really like to do though is drop the rear 2” to match the front height. I could do a flip kit, but in looking through threads lowering the Av with Autoride, there is always mention of needing to modify the sensor arms so it doesn’t try to lift the truck higher. Can I achieve a 2” lower simply by modifying/changing the sensor arms?
 
Could I see some pics of your lowered panache? I’m wanting to lower mine and want to see some example.
 
First of all a flip kit is for leaf springs. A half ton has coil springs...

You need shorter coil springs, shorter shocks and modify the sensor arms. You are not likely going to get the drop you want just by modifying the sensor arm as the springs will have a minimum height. You are more likely to just cause issues with the shocks. And since these shocks are air shocks it is likely you will have to get custom shocks made. Or disable the autoride and put the setup you want on it. Since the air shocks for it are like $500 apiece.
 
You would not need shorter shocks, you would get shock extenders to lower the mounting point of the bottom of the shock. You will however like said in previous post, need shorter springs. The sensor arm can be modified to be shorter so it'll all work with each other, it's just up to you to fine tune the length of the arms. The rear shocks are around $430 shipped for the pair from Rock Auto as well, atleast that's how much I paid last year, you also get a $100 core credit through them when sent back in place of the new ones.
 
Yes I forget about shock extenders.. However you must be careful with them because now you have something sticking down that you didn't before and if it is the lowest spot on your truck it could be the first place that hits anything you are to close to. Personally if it were me I would be ditching the autoride system if you were planning on lowering. The autoride really is only for people that put heavy loads in the back of the truck or tow something that has heavy tongue weight. But then again, when considering your springs you really need to not cheap out there either. You CAN cut the springs and make them shorter but it will drastically stiffen the ride. You want to get springs made for your intention.

You could of course go to Air Bags. You CAN do it relatively cheaply. I had bags on my caprice and just had fill nozzles at the rear of the bumper.
 
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All I done was install the 2" lower springs...no shock extenders.
 
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