DJM's 6/8 Heavy Duty Drop
DJM Suspension shows us the whys and wherefores of their big Chevy lowering kit….
Story and photos by Marshall Spiegel
The DJM 6/8 drop gives the big Chevy 3500 HD a considerably better stance and improved overall look without adversely affecting the ride and handling
The 2,001 Chevy 3500 Heavy Duty (HD)pickup with a 8.1L power-plant is a formidable road machine and workhorse that has been enthusiastically received by the big dually truck market. At standard ride height, the 3500 measures 23 ½ inches in front and 27 inches in the rear from the center of the hub to the wheel-well lip. It was obvious from the "git-go" that this large, long and heavy truck had to be lower to the ground to truly delight the eye of big pickup fanciers. DJM Suspension of Gardena, CA, recognized the need early on and immediately engineered a 6/8 lowering kit for the HD models. The DJM kit, a direct bolt-on system, drops the front with upper and lower control arms; twin tube sleeves with urethane bushings; tie rod relocator and replacement bump stops. DJM's rear drop involves an axle flip kit; an axle clearance and frame reinforcement bracket (C-section) and removal of the overload springs and striker pads The kit also requires replacement of the stock cross member with a DJM direct bolt-on cross member for additional ground clearance. Despite the fact that the DJM lowering kit is primarily a direct bolt-in, the installation isn't easy because both the stock suspension components and DJM's drop-kit components are big and heavy. Rather than bring you a traditional "HOW TO" installation article, we decided to approach this install with a "WHY DO" article showing completed segments of the installation with explanations of why they were done and what they do. So we photographed a complete drop kit installation performed by Godfather Customs of Decatur, GA. Check the photos and explanation blocks for the rest of the story. (To see complete installation instructions and procedures, please visit DJM's website listed in the source box.)
 The upper control arms are shipped with pivot bushings and ball joint installed with grease fittings and zip ties. The lower control arms are also shipped with pivot bushings and ball joints installed and the kit includes grease fittings, bump stops; a set of twin tube sleeves, necessary shock bolts and DJM;s exclusive toe rod locators. |
 The DJM rear flip kit for the HD drop includes axle locators; lengthened U-bolts; leaf spring plates; urethane bump stops; carrier bearing bracket kit, center pins and all necessary nuts and hardware for a successful installation as well as complete, easy-to-follow installation instructions. |
 The DJM cross member for additional ground clearance comes with a transmission adapter plate. |
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| Here's a view of the front driver's side corner showing the DJM direct bolt-on lowering control arm which replaces the stock control arm and provides a 6-inch drop in front. The lowering control arm features DJM's twin tube sleeves with urethane bushings. To assure proper lubrication to prevent squeaking and binding, each outer sleeve of the twin tube sleeves must be drilled and fitted with a zerk fitting. | ||
DJM new upper control arms come with ball joints. The direct bolt-on control arms provide optimum caster and camber settings and ball joint angles |
DJM spring plates with new U-bolts |
View of rear axle on top of leaf spring |
View of frame support installed after notch to provide suspension travel |
Image of carrier bearing kit |
Carrier bearing kit installed. Designed to lift the bearing up toward the bed. |
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| To provide additional ground clearance, the stock cross member is removed and replaced with DJM's direct bolt on, higher profile cross member. The switch utilizes the stock nuts and bolts | ||
