AFTER
While the custom truck scene is packed with rides that sit flat on the ground and stuff giant wheels there is something to be said for a mild street cruiser that can haul people, tow a trailer, run parts and handle the daily commute while your show truck rests in the garage. A static drop can provide years of trouble-free cruising and set the attitude for your daily driver and still keep your truck practical.
BEFORE -- The Tahoe started out as stock as they come with a nosebleed stance and factory wheels and tires.
An SUV can be a great vehicle to serve as a family hauler, toy puller and daily work shuttle all in one shot, but like most vehicles, they are not very attractive in stock trim. The second generation Tahoe built from 2001-06 is a popular vehicle, and with literally thousands and thousands on the road, they service a lot of different needs.
The DJM 3/5 drop for the 2001-06 Tahoe comes with CalMax lower control arms (ball joints included and installed) for the front, drop coils, extended sway bar end links and 4-link drop-down brackets for the rear and front and rear replacement shocks.
Back when the second gen Tahoes were born aftermarket companies began building parts to lower them, lift them and style them up from grille to taillight. One of those companies that got in on the second gen Tahoe early and began building lowering components was DJM Suspension. DJM manufactures a variety of drop options and handling suspension offerings for trucks and SUVs, so when it came time to drop this ‘02 Tahoe we hooked up with DJM for one of their 3/5 CalMax lowering kits. To set off the stance we hooked up with Ultra Wheels for a set of its chrome 22-inch Predator wheels and Toyo Tires for a set of its Toyo Proxes STII tires. See how we gave this Tahoe some style with DJM, Ultra and Toyo.
To complement the new dropped stance of the Tahoe we will bolt up these chrome 22-inch Predator wheels from Ultra Wheels. The Predator has a clean six-spoke design with open teardrop slots in each spoke complemented by simulated bolts on the edge. It’s the perfect marriage of performance and luxury.
Sources
CGS Performance Products
909.902.0102
www.cgsmotorsports.com
DJM Suspension
Dept. STTR
580 W. 184th St.
Gardena, CA 90248
800.237.6748
www.djmsuspension.com (http://www NULL.djmsuspension NULL.com/)
Toyo Tires
Dept. STTR
6261 Katella Avenue
Cypress, CA 90630-5249
714.236.2080
www.toyotires.com (http://www NULL.toyotires NULL.com/)
Ultra Wheel Company
Dept. STTR
570 N. Gilbert St.
Fullerton, CA 92833
714.449.7120
www.ultrawheel.com
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- AFTER
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- BEFORE
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- The DJM 3/5 drop for the 2001-06 Tahoe comes with CalMax lower control arms (ball joints included and installed) for the front, drop coils, extended sway bar end links and 4-link drop-down brackets for the rear and front and rear replacement shocks.
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- To complement the new dropped stance of the Tahoe we will bolt up these chrome 22-inch Predator wheels from Ultra Wheels. The Predator has a clean six-spoke design with open teardrop slots in each spoke complemented by simulated bolts on the edge. It’s the perfect marriage of performance and luxury.
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- After we got the Tahoe on the lift and supported the rearend with two muffler jacks, the factory coil springs were removed to make way for the DJM drop coils. Note the height difference when the DJM and stock coils are paired next to one another.
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- Jerry navigates the DJM lowering coil into place in the rear, lining the spring up with the coil bucket up top and the spring pad below.
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- The rearend is lifted back up by working the jacks to seat the coil springs so the extended rear sway bar end links can be installed.
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- The passenger side sway bar end link is installed to set the correct mounting geometry on the rear sway bar.
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- The driver side rear sway bar end link is mounted up top at the factory frame mount and down below at the sway bar mounting eye.
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- The sway bar end links are installed and tightened to spec, securing the mounting position of the rear sway bar.
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- The sway bar end links are installed and tightened to spec, securing the mounting position of the rear sway bar.
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- After the rear drop coils and sway bar links are in place, Jerry installs the DJM rear shocks.
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- To correct the geometry of the factory 4-link, the lower bars are adjusted down with the supplied DJM 4-link drop-down brackets. After loosening and unbolting the lower link at the factory mount, Jerry slides the supplied DJM bracket in position.
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- To correct the geometry of the factory 4-link, the lower bars are adjusted down with the supplied DJM 4-link drop-down brackets. After loosening and unbolting the lower link at the factory mount, Jerry slides the supplied DJM bracket in position.
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- The lower 4-link bar is bolted to the DJM bracket and the bracket is bolted to the factory bracket with the supplied hardware, using an impact for a firm bite.
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- The impact with an open end on the backside secures the hardware that bolts the lower link bar up to the drop-down bracket.
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- After the front suspension was disassembled and the lower control arms are removed, Jerry proceeds to install the DJM CalMax lower control arm. Since this is a torsion bar front end, the backside of the control arm is indexed with the torsion bar to allow the new arm to slip over the front of it.
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- After the torsion bar is successfully lined up, the lower control arm with zerk fittings is navigated into the factory cross member and the hardware is installed.
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- The factory spindle and brake assembly are joined with the ball joint on the DJM CalMax arm.
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- Jerry tightens the control arms cross shafts and hardware to seat the control arm in place.
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- Jerry employs some muscle and a long ratchet and socket to secure the spindle and lower control arm union at the lower ball joint.
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- Here is a shot of the rear suspension complete and ready to sink the tail end of this mild Bow Tie cruiser.
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- The front suspension is all wrapped up with DJM shocks that complement the ride of the CalMax lower control arm.
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- Our mild DJM drop was finished off with these 22 x 9-inch Ultra chrome Predator wheels wrapped in Toyo Proxes ST II rubber. The package provides some additional style for this dropped daily driver. There you have it—a simple drop job for your daily driver/family hauler.
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- While we were underneath the Tahoe doing the suspension updates we commissioned the guys at CGS Performance Products to upgrade the SUV’s vocal tones with one of their custom exhaust systems. Capped with a polished slash-cut tip, the Tahoe now sounds as good as it looks.
Tags: Chevy Tahoe, DJM Suspension, Toyo Tires, Ultra Wheels
