When you're wanting to get that perfect stance, picking up a 2001 GMC Sierra 4 6 drop kit is one associated with those projects that'll completely transform just how your truck rests on the pavement. There's something about the GMT800 body style that just looks right when it's lowered. It takes that "grandpa's function truck" vibe plus turns it into a sleek, aggressive street machine. But before you go tearing apart your own suspension in the particular driveway, there are some items you really require to know about exactly what you're getting yourself into.
A 4/6 drop isn't just a small adjustment; it's a serious commitment to the "low life. " You're moving the front down four ins and the back down six inches. This levels out the truck plus gets rid associated with that factory rake where the back end sits way higher than the top. However, because you're moving things so far off their initial home, you can't just swap a couple of mounting bolts and call this a day.
Breaking Down the particular Front: The 4-Inch Drop
When you're taking a look at a 2001 GMC Sierra 4 6 drop kit, front side 4-inch drop is usually attained through a mixture of parts. Most guys move with 2-inch drop spindles and 2-inch drop coils .
Precisely why spindles? Well, spindles are the "holy grail" of decreasing. They move the particular wheel mounting stage upward without altering the particular suspension geometry. What this means is your reduced control arms remain at a decent angle, and your ride high quality doesn't turn straight into a bouncy mess. If you attempted to get all four inches just from springs, your truck would ride like a brick and you'd in no way be able to get the position right.
Pairing those spindles with a set of 2-inch drop springs is the sweet spot. It will get you low plenty of to look mean to say but keeps more than enough suspension travel therefore you aren't striking the bump stops every time you drive over a gum wrapper. Just keep in mind that using a 4-inch drop up front, your own factory shocks are going to become way too very long. You'll definitely require some shorter, performance-valved shocks to deal with the newest height.
The trunk End: The 6-Inch Flip Kit
The "6" within your 2001 GMC Sierra 4 6 drop kit pertains to the rear, and that almost constantly means a flip kit . On a stock 2001 Sierra, the leaf springs sit on top of the axle. A reverse kit does just what it sounds like—it moves the axle towards the top of the leaf springs.
This exchange alone usually netting you about six inches of drop. It's a smart method to get low without buying costly new leaf packages, but it arrives with a capture. Once you shift that axle upward six inches, it's likely to be uncomfortably close to the frame. That's in which the "C-notch" comes along in.
In case you skip the particular C-notch, your axle will smack the frame on each and every dip in the road. It seems like a gunshot and feels like your truck is breaking in fifty percent. Most high-quality sets include a bolt-on or weld-in level. You'll have in order to cut an area out of your frame to give the axle space to travel way up. It sounds scary to cut into the framework, but so long as you follow the templates plus use the reinforcement plates provided in the kit, the truck will be simply as strong because it was before—only reduced.
What Nobody Tells You About the Install
Setting up a 2001 GMC Sierra 4 6 drop kit isn't exactly an one-hour job. If you're accomplishing this in your own driveway with a floor jack and jack port stands, give your self a full weekend break. Those factory bolts have been residing below your truck since 2001, meaning they're likely rusted, grabbed, or simply plain stubborn. An excellent impact wrench along with a giant can of penetrating oil will be your best friends.
One thing people often forget is the particular driveline angle . When you drop the rear six ins, the angle of the driveshaft changes. If it's off simply by too much, you'll feel an awful vibration when you're cruising down the freeway. Most flip sets come with "shims" for the leaf springs to assist tilt the pumpkin (the differential) back again into a much better alignment. Don't disregard this step. If it feels like you're driving over a rumble strip at 60 mph, your pinion angle is likely the culprit.
Choosing the Ideal Wheels and Tires
Once you've got the 2001 GMC Sierra 4 6 drop kit installed, you have got to think regarding the "meat" under the fenders. You can't run individuals oversized 33-inch mud tires anymore. Most guys running this setup tend in order to choose a 20-inch or 22-inch steering wheel.
A very common car tire size for any 4/6 drop on a Sierra is something like the 275/45R20 or even a 285/40R22. You want a tire that has a decent sidewall so you don't bend an edge, but it needs in order to be short more than enough that it doesn't rub the inner fender liners whenever you turn the particular wheel. In case you proceed too wide or even have the wrong offset on your wheels, you'll become listening to the sound of rubber scrubbing metal every time you hit the bump or pull right into a parking spot.
The Servicing and Reality Check
Lowering the truck is awesome, but it will change the method you need to live with it. You'll need to get the expert alignment immediately after the install. Your toe and even camber will become all over the place, and when you don't repair it, you'll chew via a brand-new set of tires in about the month.
Also, keep a good eye on your own ball joints plus tie rod finishes. Dropping a truck puts different strains on these elements than the manufacturing plant intended. Since your own 2001 Sierra is already over 2 decades old, it's a smart move to just substitute those wear items while you possess the whole front finish apart anyway. It saves from getting to go in there six a few months later.
A person also have to become mindful of where you drive. Speed protrusions, steep driveways, and deep potholes turn out to be your enemies. A 4/6 drop is usually low enough that you'll have in order to take some angles when entering car parking lots. It's not really "slammed" to the particular point of being undriveable, but you certainly can't just monster-truck over curbs any more.
Is It Worth It?
Within my opinion, absolutely. The 2001 GMC Sierra 4 6 drop kit could be the "gold standard" for people trucks because it sits right within that sweet spot where the truck looks custom yet stays functional. You can still use the bed to carry stuff (though a person might want to add some helper bags if you're hauling heavy loads), plus it handles method better within the edges because the center of gravity is really much lower.
The truck seems more planted, the steering feels a bit more reactive, and let's be honest—it just appears way cooler. There's a huge local community of GMT800 proprietors who have done precisely this, so if you ever run into a snag throughout the install, there are plenty of forums and videos to help you out.
Simply take your time, get a helper in order to help you manhandle the trunk axle, plus make sure you've got all of your tools ready. As soon as you allow it off the jack stands plus see that new silhouette the first time, all the bruised knuckles and "colorful" language during the install can feel totally worthy of it. It's a classic look with regard to a classic pickup truck, and a 4/6 drop is just how these Sierras had been meant to look when they aren't working in an area.