It’s not strange to come across a truck with a lowered suspension system. Most of the time, it’s done to give the vehicle a sportier look.
For trucks used as custom show vehicles, the suspension can be extremely lowered, bringing the frame very close to the ground.
You must do it right regardless of why you are lowering your truck’s suspension system. There are several ways you can lower your truck’s suspension.
Each method has its perks and limitations. Today, we will focus on two of the most popular methods of lowering a truck’s suspension; lowering leaf springs versus flip kit.
What is Lowering Leaf Springs?
Lowering leaf springs is an excellent way to drop the rear of your truck. The only drawback is that you will reduce a fraction of the cargo capacity.
If you have been dreaming about lowering your truck’s height, then the latter setback shouldn’t be a big cause for concern. Lowering leaf springs can drop your ride height by three to four inches.
To lower leaf springs, the best option is to get newer springs with a slightly lesser arch. This is the best way for you to ensure a comfy ride.
When lowering leaf springs, the number of springs is reduced, especially the helper spring. It results in a decrease in the cargo capacity of the truck. You should add an airbag helper spring for truck owners who often carry heavy loads or trailers.
When it comes to lowering leaf springs, there are two options. You can dismantle the current leaf springs on your car and carefully remove the sheets your truck can live without and put everything back together before installing it.
Or, you can buy a new set of leaf springs that have already been lowered.
Both these options have pros and cons. The first option is cheaper, but it will require a toe and camber check since these may be compromised.
Also, if you aren’t an experienced mechanic, you may run into several hiccups. According to us, the best alternative is to opt for a special lowering leaf.
These are sold as a complete set, and you can have it customized to your desired lowering measurements. Aftermarket lowered leaf springs are also known to provide better handling and improved ride quality.
What is a Flip Kit?
A flip kit is the best option if you want to go lower. A flip kit can lower your truck’s ride by eight inches. With a flip kit, you can extremely lower the height of your truck and convert it into a custom show vehicle.
Just from what the name suggests, flip kits flip the position of the axle and leaf springs. The leaf springs move to the top of the axle instead of being beneath as it usually is.
It is advisable to invest in a quality flip kit that will help identify the correct axle locator and geometric angle of the differential. With a flip kit, the rear part of the truck will need to be modified with a C-notch.
The purpose of doing this will be to facilitate the upward and downward movement of the axle. For the C-notch to stay in place, it must be drilled and welded into the steel frame, which can be weakened in the process.
This is one of the risks associated with lowering a truck using a flip kit. If done correctly, you have got nothing to worry about.
When installing a flip kit, truck owners are advised to opt for shock extensions or smaller shocks. These options will ensure the shocks are installed at a vertical angle and won’t interfere with ride comfort.
The other thing you have to know about flip kits is that they feature a spacer that minimizes the vibrations coming from the center carrier bearing when the truck has been lowered.
Flip kits are generally a series of plates, U-bolts, brackets, bump stops, steel plates, and much other hardware that, once they have been installed on your truck, relocate the axle to a different position.
Like lowering leaf springs, using a flip kit to lower your car will need professional mechanical knowledge or assistance.
How Are They Different?
• A Flip Kit Will Drop Your Truck Height Much Lower than Lowered Leaf Springs
As we have seen from the overview of both methods, a flip kit can drop your truck height up to 8 inches. That is way more than the 3 or 4 inches drop you may get from a lowered leaf spring.
If you want to customize your truck for a show or aesthetics, you can go with the flip kit drop. However, if you still want to use your truck a bit off the road, go for lowered leaf springs, as you will still have adequate ground clearance.
• Lowering Leaf Springs is More Affordable than Flip Kit, Especially If You are Reusing Old Springs
You will spend way less than buying a flip kit when you opt to lower leaf springs. Flip kits contain a wide range of accessories, which cost money.
It may be better than lowering leaf springs, but it will cost you more money. If you are on a strict budget, you should learn more about lowering leaf springs.
• A Flip Kit Retains Spring Rate, Thus Ensuring a Comfortable Ride
One of the reasons most truck owners gravitate to flip kits is that they retain the factory spring rate. As a result, when you make these changes to your truck, you don’t interfere with ride comfort.
Lowering leaf springs has been known to interfere with ride comfort significantly. How much does ride comfort mean to you? From your answer, you should be able to know what option is better.
• A Flip Kit Facilitates Better Traction of Your Truck
If you own a truck, you will still have your fair share of experiences on slippery roads. With a flip kit installed, your vehicle has better traction control than lowering leaf springs.
It’s important to take note of these benefits as it will help you decide which of these two is more ideal
• Lowering Leaf Springs Considerably Limits Your Towing Capacity
So far, it seems like a flip kit is a winner between these two methods of lowering a truck’s height.
The other difference between lowering leaf springs and installing a flip kit is that the first option considerably lowers the truck’s towing capacity.
If you are a truck owner who occasionally tows a trailer or other cars, you should opt for the flip kit instead since it won’t reduce your towing capacity.
How Are They Similar?
• Both Will Lower Ride Height
Even though one option lowers the ride height much further than the other, both achieve the same goal: to lower the truck’s height.
If lowering your truck’s height has been on your bucket list for a while, both options should work for you. It’s only that every method has some differences.
• Both Need Expert Mechanical Skills
Let no one mislead you. Lowering your truck’s height requires relevant mechanical knowledge. This isn’t a stunt you can pull off using guesswork. It requires skill and precision.
Plus, if you do either method incorrectly, you risk the safety of your vehicle. If you intend to perform a DIY flip kit installation or lower the leaf springs, make sure that you are well aware of what you are doing.
There are plenty of resources that can offer guides and knowledge about lowering the ride height. Alternatively, you should hire an expert mechanic.
What’s Better about Lowering Leaf Springs?
There are some perks of lowering leaf springs than using a flip kit. The first benefit is that it is more cost-effective, especially if you reuse the current springs.
In this case, you will need to remove the springs that your truck can live without, reassemble them, and put them back on. You will see a decrease in ride height.
What’s Better about Using a Flip Kit?
On the other hand, a flip kit is way better than lowering leaf springs in so many ways. First, with the help of a flip kit, you can achieve a much lower ride height of up to 8 inches.
If you are customizing a truck for a show, you can get a significant drop in ride height. The second thing is that a flip kit doesn’t compromise ride comfort, towing capacity, or even traction. Your truck will continue to perform as great as before the modification.
Who Should Lower Leaf Springs and Why?
For truck owners who are on a budget and would still like to lower the height of their cars, lowering leaf springs is an excellent option.
It may affect ride comfort and traction. It’s a modification that would be best done on a vehicle that isn’t used frequently.
Who Should Use a Flip Kit and Why?
A flip kit is meant for all car owners that don’t want to lower the truck’s performance after lowering its height.
As a method of lowering suspensions, flip kits are perfect for show cars because they can lower the suspension by eight inches. With a flip kit, you enjoy other benefits, such as better traction and a comfortable ride.