2009 Silverado 2WD Extcab drop

**downsized** · 04-29-2009, 11:38 AM

Noob to this site, did a search and did not find the specific information, so I figured I'd give a posting a try.
I'm looking to drop the rear of my truck 2", got the appropriate Belltech shackles and started looking into the install process. Well, it ain't what it seems. Please correct me if I'm missing osmething here. I've tried on another forum to get a straight answer, but nobody seems to know what they're talking about!!!

Please keep in mind this is the newer generation Silverado, 2008-2009.
It looks to me that in order to remove the lower shackle bolt, first the trailer hitch(OEM) must be removed as the bolt slides out inboard-towards the frame, so no biggie-drop the hitch.
But here comes the big problem- once the lowerer shackle bolt is out, the axle,leaf and shackle will need to be raised up near the bed to remove the upper shackle bolt- maybe. There does not appear to be enough clearance for the spring eye to go high enough for the bolt to clear the frame( going out inboard direction) because of interferance with a ridge in the bed bottom...

Am I correct so far in this? Does the bed need to be lifted off of the frame to get the required clearance??
Please, if anyone knows about doing this to this newer frame/model, help me out here. ( ie information on how easy it is on a 2003 or whatever year model will be of no use to me....)

Thanks in advance!!

**shadetree** · 07-11-2009, 03:03 PM

I have the same problem. I have an 09 Silverado 4WD. I went all the way, by removing the hitch, removing the lower bolts on shackles and than could not raise high enough to get the top bolt out of shackles. Removed 4 bolts in bed and it would not raise (about 1/2 inche needed to clear. I lowered my 04 in 25 minutes) I would like to know how many bolts hold the bed down so I can start over again. Thanks for any information on this.

**shadetree** · 07-12-2009, 05:16 PM

Originally Posted by downsized

Noob to this site, did a search and did not find the specific information, so I figured I'd give a posting a try.
I'm looking to drop the rear of my truck 2", got the appropriate Belltech shackles and started looking into the install process. Well, it ain't what it seems. Please correct me if I'm missing osmething here. I've tried on another forum to get a straight answer, but nobody seems to know what they're talking about!!!

Please keep in mind this is the newer generation Silverado, 2008-2009.
It looks to me that in order to remove the lower shackle bolt, first the trailer hitch(OEM) must be removed as the bolt slides out inboard-towards the frame, so no biggie-drop the hitch.
But here comes the big problem- once the lowerer shackle bolt is out, the axle,leaf and shackle will need to be raised up near the bed to remove the upper shackle bolt- maybe. There does not appear to be enough clearance for the spring eye to go high enough for the bolt to clear the frame( going out inboard direction) because of interferance with a ridge in the bed bottom...

Am I correct so far in this? Does the bed need to be lifted off of the frame to get the required clearance??
Please, if anyone knows about doing this to this newer frame/model, help me out here. ( ie information on how easy it is on a 2003 or whatever year model will be of no use to me....)

Thanks in advance!!

I went back to the start and completed the install of 2 in lowering shackles on my 09 Chev Silverrado ext cab 4WD which if my information is the same as your 2WD. There are 6 bolts that hold the bed on and you can back them out about 1/2 inch and when you jack up the rear end to clear the top bolt on the shackles it will lift the bed just enough to work. I had to remove my hitch also and the entire job time was about 2 hours by myself. I could not find any information anywhere on this, so I just dug in and it was not bad at all. You can remove the block between the rear end and spring and lower another inch if you want it perfectly level. I left it as I don't think the extra inch is noticeable. Good luck. Shadetree

**downsized** · 07-13-2009, 09:13 AM

6 bed bolts? Funny, I counted 8..... Either way glad it worked out for you. I have yet to do mine, but have pondered it plenty. Thanks for the update. Maybe this will spurr me on to just do it.
BTW, after the bed bolts were loosened, did you just push up by hand on the bed or did you use a jack, and if a jack where did you palce it on the beds underside??

**shadetree** · 07-14-2009, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by downsized

6 bed bolts? Funny, I counted 8..... Either way glad it worked out for you. I have yet to do mine, but have pondered it plenty. Thanks for the update. Maybe this will spurr me on to just do it.
BTW, after the bed bolts were loosened, did you just push up by hand on the bed or did you use a jack, and if a jack where did you palce it on the beds underside??

There may be 2 more than I backed out (1/2 inch) but the 4 at the rear and the 2 that you can reach just in front of the tire are all I touched. When you jack up the rear end, the top of the spring lift the bed up so that the top bolt in the shackle clears the frame under the bed. Another note: the shackles that I used were USA made and had a 9/16 metal sleeve in the lower part, but the stock shackle bolt is a 14mm. This is a small difference, but the bolt is not quite as tight a fit as I would like, but I installed on Sunday and could not find a 9/16 bolt to replace the 14mm. I would suggest that you buy shackles that have the stock 14mm metal sleeve. I did not know to ask before I bought the longer shackles. Now that I have had them off 2 times and back on, I am pleased with the results and do not consider it a major task. I will probably change the lower bolts later to a 9/16 so that it will fit better. Hope this helps. Shadetree

**downsized** · 07-14-2009, 08:03 PM

Good to know- just use the spring eyes contact with the beds seam to lift it- DUH!
I just ran out to the garage an put a micrometer on my Belltech shackles->14mm -yippie!
Thanks!!

**Interstatepower** · 07-22-2009, 12:15 PM

I just lowered my 08 silverado. I found it easier to remove the u-bolts on the rear end first to let the leaf drop down enough to change the shackle. You can also remove the block between the rear end and the leaf to get the extra 1 in for a total of 3 in drop.
You do have to remove the hitch which is no biggy 6 bolts.
To lower the front on a 2wd you can take the strut and move it from the top of the A arm to the bottom and it will drop the front 2 in. Remove the clips from the strut and flip them over and reinstall them on the strut. This will let you drop the bolts down in the hole and mount it under the A arm. I did this and my 2 wd sits at a perfect height and still rides all factory. You will have to have a alignment done to square the fron end IT WILL CHOP THE TIRES. I didn't and payed the price for new 20" tires + the alignment.

**shurshot** · 07-22-2009, 03:54 PM

Originally Posted by Interstatepower

I just lowered my 08 silverado. I found it easier to remove the u-bolts on the rear end first to let the leaf drop down enough to change the shackle. You can also remove the block between the rear end and the leaf to get the extra 1 in for a total of 3 in drop.
You do have to remove the hitch which is no biggy 6 bolts.
To lower the front on a 2wd you can take the strut and move it from the top of the A arm to the bottom and it will drop the front 2 in. Remove the clips from the strut and flip them over and reinstall them on the strut. This will let you drop the bolts down in the hole and mount it under the A arm. I did this and my 2 wd sits at a perfect height and still rides all factory. You will have to have a alignment done to square the fron end IT WILL CHOP THE TIRES. I didn't and payed the price for new 20" tires + the alignment.

I am curious on your alignment, did you have to have a shim kit put in? I know in the past I had to purchase a shim kit for the front of my Chevy's. This made the cost of the alignment over 150.00!

Thanks, JC