2001 Tahoe with a DJM 2/3 drop kit

2001 Chevy Tahoe with a 2/3 Suspension Drop by DJM

2/3 LOWERING KIT FOR AN AGGRESSIVE STANCE

 

DJM’s 2×3 drop kit with torsion bar keys saves the ride and is easy and inexpensive…

Story & photos by Marshall Spiegel

Originally Published in 2001

2001 Tahoe

2001 Tahoe with a DJM 2/3 Drop Kit

During a recent resurrection and beautification of his faithful ’01 Tahoe, the customer sought a very mild drop to achieve a more attractive, aggressive stance. At the customer’s favorite accessory shop, FA Motorsports in Huntington Beach, CA, owner Andy Barger suggested the installation of DJM’s 2X3 drop kit which lowers the front by re-indexing the torsion bars with new torsion bar keys.

“This DJM kit drops the front with torsion bar keys and the rear with coil springs,” explains Barger. “Frankly, it is an easy install and it is relatively inexpensive for the customer. This guy didn’t want to put his Tahoe in the weeds. He simply wanted a mild, inexpensive drop that would leave his vehicle with a more attractive stance. And most importantly, all the reports we’d ever heard on this 2X3 DJM kit and our own testing indicated that the stock ride quality was retained after the installation.”

Unfortunately, the installation of a new, frame lift at FA Motorsports had not been completed by the time the Tahoe was to be lowered. Therefore, the install had to be accomplished on the company’s platform lift. Although installer Josh Bailey got the job done quickly and efficiently, the installation of the DJM drop kit would have been considerably easier on a frame lift.

The Tahoe went from 21 inches in front before the install to 19 ½ inches after the install, a drop of 1 ½ inches, and from 22 inches in front to 18 inches, a 4-inch drop in the rear. And as we anticipated, the stance was greatly improved and the ride quality and handling were not adversely affected.

(This kit is available at the djmfactorystore.com). Check out the photo gallery below to see how the parts went on, and click on the (  I ) in the picture to read the caption!

2001-tahoe-23-torsion-key-drop

[img src=http://calmaxsuspension.com/wp-content/flagallery/2001-tahoe-23-torsion-key-drop/thumbs/thumbs_01.jpg]The Kit
This DJM kit includes torsion bar keys for the front, coil springs, trailing arm brackets and swaybar end-links for the rear. All the hardware you need, with instructions
[img src=http://calmaxsuspension.com/wp-content/flagallery/2001-tahoe-23-torsion-key-drop/thumbs/thumbs_02.jpg]Before Measurements
It is important to measure and record the ride height measurements of your installation before you begin. It gives you a baseline to compare your measurement after you've finished and it can make you aware of any irregularities you may have right from the top. The best way to measure is from the center of the wheel to the lip of the fender well
[img src=http://calmaxsuspension.com/wp-content/flagallery/2001-tahoe-23-torsion-key-drop/thumbs/thumbs_03.jpg]Rear Swaybar
Loosen and remove the swaybar end-links, then loosen and remove the hardware for the pivot bushings
[img src=http://calmaxsuspension.com/wp-content/flagallery/2001-tahoe-23-torsion-key-drop/thumbs/thumbs_04.jpg]Remove the Bar
After all hardware has been removed, pull swaybar out of vehicle
[img src=http://calmaxsuspension.com/wp-content/flagallery/2001-tahoe-23-torsion-key-drop/thumbs/thumbs_05.jpg]Bumpstop
Remove the stock bumpstop and set aside. You will modify it later
[img src=http://calmaxsuspension.com/wp-content/flagallery/2001-tahoe-23-torsion-key-drop/thumbs/thumbs_06.jpg]Shocks
Loosen and remove the hardware on the lower shock mount
[img src=http://calmaxsuspension.com/wp-content/flagallery/2001-tahoe-23-torsion-key-drop/thumbs/thumbs_07.jpg]Remove Tire
Remove the drivers side wheel/tire
[img src=http://calmaxsuspension.com/wp-content/flagallery/2001-tahoe-23-torsion-key-drop/thumbs/thumbs_08.jpg]Coil Spring
Using a floor jack to support the rear end, lower until you can remove the spring. Make sure there is no load on the coil spring before you attempt to remove it
[img src=http://calmaxsuspension.com/wp-content/flagallery/2001-tahoe-23-torsion-key-drop/thumbs/thumbs_09.jpg]Spring Comparison
Here is the factory coil (right side) compared to the DJM engineered lower coil
[img src=http://calmaxsuspension.com/wp-content/flagallery/2001-tahoe-23-torsion-key-drop/thumbs/thumbs_10.jpg]Spring Install
Drivers side lowering coil being installed
[img src=http://calmaxsuspension.com/wp-content/flagallery/2001-tahoe-23-torsion-key-drop/thumbs/thumbs_11.jpg]Bump Stop Mod
Using a standard issue hack saw, the factory bumpstops were shortened to allow a little more travel
[img src=http://calmaxsuspension.com/wp-content/flagallery/2001-tahoe-23-torsion-key-drop/thumbs/thumbs_12.jpg]A Cut Stop
This is what the bump stop looks like after the mod
[img src=http://calmaxsuspension.com/wp-content/flagallery/2001-tahoe-23-torsion-key-drop/thumbs/thumbs_24.jpg]Install the stop
Install the modified bump stop in it's original location
[img src=http://calmaxsuspension.com/wp-content/flagallery/2001-tahoe-23-torsion-key-drop/thumbs/thumbs_13.jpg]Shock Mounts
It's time to attach the lower shock mounts and secure the springs in place
[img src=http://calmaxsuspension.com/wp-content/flagallery/2001-tahoe-23-torsion-key-drop/thumbs/thumbs_25.jpg]Install the Bar
Now that everything else is installed and secure it's time to install the swaybar using the new shorter end-links included with the kit
[img src=http://calmaxsuspension.com/wp-content/flagallery/2001-tahoe-23-torsion-key-drop/thumbs/thumbs_14.jpg]Wheels back on
Now the wheel and tires are installed
[img src=http://calmaxsuspension.com/wp-content/flagallery/2001-tahoe-23-torsion-key-drop/thumbs/thumbs_15.jpg]Trailing Arms
The trailing arm bolts are loosened
[img src=http://calmaxsuspension.com/wp-content/flagallery/2001-tahoe-23-torsion-key-drop/thumbs/thumbs_16.jpg]New bracket
The new trailing arm brackets are installed to move the trailing arms down away from making contact
[img src=http://calmaxsuspension.com/wp-content/flagallery/2001-tahoe-23-torsion-key-drop/thumbs/thumbs_17.jpg]Torsion Bars
Here the torsion bars tension (or load) is being relieved or lightened on the passenger side in order to get to the factory "key"
[img src=http://calmaxsuspension.com/wp-content/flagallery/2001-tahoe-23-torsion-key-drop/thumbs/thumbs_18.jpg]Torsion Bars
Same for the drivers side
[img src=http://calmaxsuspension.com/wp-content/flagallery/2001-tahoe-23-torsion-key-drop/thumbs/thumbs_19.jpg]Preparing to remove
Josh raises the front slightly with a "bottle" jack
[img src=http://calmaxsuspension.com/wp-content/flagallery/2001-tahoe-23-torsion-key-drop/thumbs/thumbs_20.jpg]New keys installed
He then removes the stock torsion bar keys and re-indexes the torsion bars with the new DJM torsion bar keys.
[img src=http://calmaxsuspension.com/wp-content/flagallery/2001-tahoe-23-torsion-key-drop/thumbs/thumbs_22.jpg]After Measurements
Measuring the new ride height indicates a drop of 1 ½ inches in front and 4 inches in the rear.
[img src=http://calmaxsuspension.com/wp-content/flagallery/2001-tahoe-23-torsion-key-drop/thumbs/thumbs_23.jpg]
The DJM lowering kit resulted in a mild "normal driving style" drop, the '01 Tahoe exhibited a greatly improved stance and retained its ride quality exactly.
6 Responses to 2001 Tahoe with a DJM 2/3 drop kit
  1. Vincent Fabrizi
    May 9, 2011 | 4:53 am

    Hello there DJM tech support I hope all is well. Last month I purchased the DJM 2/3 drop kit for my 2002 Tahoe z71. The kit included the rear 3inch drop springs, torsion keys for the front and at the same time I went ahead and purchased shock extenders for the rear. The stance came out great just what I wanted and the install was easy to complete on my own which I was happy about. After the install I went ahead to get a wheel alignment and this is where I ran into issues. I have to much negative camber on my front passenger wheel that I can not adjust anymore the setting is maxed out. The front driver’s side is fine it’s just the passenger tire that I have this issue. I ended up cranking the front up about a half inch to try and make it work which it did help but the issue is still there. I will be going through tires in no time or at least one front tire. Have you heard of this issue and is there a fix? The truck is all original besides the drop and tires. Never in an accident either. I really don’t want to take the kit out but all my friends on my truck forums have stated you guys can help and will help.

    Please let me know what I need to do to get this issue resolved.

    Thanks so much in advance!!

    • Administrator
      May 9, 2011 | 1:43 pm

      Vincent,

      Thanks for buying DJM Suspension we know you have other choices and we appreciate your business. Your alignment situation is not normal. To have one side radically different than the other alignment wise might indicate a truck that is not “square”, or may been damaged in some way. It does not have to have been in an accident it could be as simple as a nasty pothole sometime that could have bent something slightly. I am assuming the truck is level from side to side, if it is low on the passenger side try to adjust the low side up, which would reduce negative camber. Another possible fix could be using upper control arms that we build for lower drop kits that help get rid of the negative camber that naturally occurs when you lower. If you can photograph the upper control arm mounts so we can see how your adjustment is set. We will get you set up right if we can!

      DJM Tech

  2. Seth
    August 16, 2011 | 9:30 am

    DJM,

    I read somewhere when I bought this kit for my 2003 Tahoe that if I didn’t like the rear ride height, you would swap them with the springs that are for Suburbans. I love the look, but the utility (load carrying capability) has gone away. I can’t even carry my kids and their friends without bottoming out. I even cut the factory bump stops off of the frame and installed aftermarket ones that are an inch or less thick. Is there any way you can help me out?

    • Administrator
      August 16, 2011 | 1:25 pm

      Seth,

      Sounds like you have the Suburban springs now! If you do, what you need are the 3″ Tahoe rear springs part number CS2000R-3. Can you verify what spring part number you have now?

      DJM Tech

  3. ben table
    February 2, 2012 | 6:43 am

    i have a 3/5 drop on my 2002 tahoe started with torsion keys in front then redid with djm lower control arms (very nice) my problem is that i have broken 2 sets of shocks that were recommended by another company at normal ride hieght it seems to have to little travel what twintube shocks do you recommend to cure this problem my measurments are 12 1/2 inches from stem mount to lower loop

    • Administrator
      February 10, 2012 | 11:19 am

      Ben,
      We list our part number 1415 for you application. This shock is 14.5″ fully extended and 9″ collapsed and should do the trick for you! Click here for a link!
      DJM Tech

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