[CASHFLOW]

Im narrowing down my choices for a set of 26" wheels on my 07 Escalade. After looking at pics of other vehicles online with larger wheels it looks like perhaps a 2" drop would compliment the finished look. I don't want to go too low and I want to maintain or improve handling if possible. In the past when Ive lowered a vehicle I have needed to replace the shocks so they are not bottomed out or kicking on any "Suspension error" lights. But I noticed some kits don't come with shocks, some come with sway bars, and the prices jump all over the place depending on what you buy. After spending over $4K on a wheel and tire package the last thing I want is to be wearing our tires due to alignment issues or suffer from poor handling. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.....

 

[Blackedoutlt3]

I have a Beltech 2/4 kit on my Escalade no issues what so ever. Fronts are spindles so it leaves stock springs and shocks and rear is springs and shock extensions so basically all the same as if it was stock.

 

[justinesky]

I started off with a belltech 2/4 but it ended up lowering it more like 3/5ish. My wheel wells are 33" from ground. I dont think 26's would fit now but 24's would look good on mine. Im thinking i may go with the 24" replicas.

 

[justinesky]

THe rear will sit lower after sitting over night. My air shock jsck up the rear 3/4-1" when i start it.

 

[Caddy2489]

im currently going from 24 2/3 drop to 26 3/5 drop with the help of norcalss

 

[emay]

Just bag it and have any drop you want - find what sits and feels best and alight to that? Here's my previous 09 on kelderman's kit:

 

[justinesky]

pretty!

 

[Dr. Coop]

I went with a 2/3 drop with 26s. I wish I would of went 3/5

 

[Caddy2489]

I went with a 2/3 drop with 26s. I wish I would of went 3/5

you can modify your kit thats what im currently doing

 

[TSINND]

What are you doing to modify your kit?

 

[Caddy2489]

I contacted norcalss and told him what I currently had and what I want to do and he hooked me up with the kit that I need to get where I want

 

[emay]

Here's where my 2/4 left me on my ESV. Grooving the front shocks, and playing with the air ride link lengths out back gives you an additional inch of variance.

 

[deronbrooks]

Hope everyone is okay... so today I got my '08 Escalade quoted for Ground Force - 2"/3" Drop for air ride ($750.00), 5 hrs labor ($95.00 an hr), Alingment ($150.00)

Total: $1816.86 w/ taxes.

I am located in NJ... Seems reasonable? Too expensive or just right? Please advice. All labor & parts has full warranty. Hope everyone has a good night.

D

 

[emay]

You able to wrench yourself at all deron? 5hrs of book time is a bit much. It's not more than 3hrs worth a work for a slow rookie. 250-325 is going rate for labor. 2/3 drop can be had for 500-525.

If you have a NTB nearby, they do excellent with alignments for right about 100-110 here locally.

 

[deronbrooks]

Brother, thanks for responding! The issue is I forgot to mention that I'm dealing with 26" rims. Also, I am not too much of a "do it yourself " when it comes to heavy work like that. I had a hip replacement a couple of yrs ago, (long story; US Army) & doing it myself is out the door. NTB does not have the capacity to do 26". (I checked & they go up to 22"; 24" special requested & sent somewhere else)

Yes, the labor seemed very expensive to me as well. He told me he had to do some cutting, melting & in the front, he had to cut some of the actual metal & smooth it out in order to prevent rusting & rubbing. I'm trying to get him down to 3-4 hrs labor, which is what I've been hearing. I also want him to do it right the 1st time. The company is Imagine Audio. (Hainesport, NJ). Lemme know what you think...

D

 

[Caddy2489]

Ive never heard of any one mention ground force as a lowering kit it seems all you hear about is belltech and mcgaughys Id be interested to hear what you have to say if you pull the trigger

 

[deronbrooks]

Sounds good... still quoting around, but I will post before & after

 

[justinesky]

What is Grooving the front shocks?

 

[emay]

By machining incremental snap ring groves you can net an additional 0 to 2" up front with no additional components.

 

[deronbrooks]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ground-Forc...ac|Model:Escalade&hash=item4845b75806&vxp=mtr

This is what it looks like... He is charging me $730.00 from his "distributor" with warranty. I've been to two different shops and believe it or not, that seems like the going rate over here. One shop quoted me $2200.00 and the other $1950.00

So far, the one I chose (which have already done work on my truck) seem like the cheapest and the only ones who want to warranty the work. I will check with NYC to see if I find a shop up there, but might be going with my original. Plus talked them down from 5 hours to 4 hours.