SUBSCRIBE
Menu
    Login
    Menu
    Menu

    TheAutoBuilder.com

    Author_eyan_
    THE AUTO BUILDER
    Menu

    Featured

    Bobby-Built

    We always find it amusing when a bench racing session turns to building street rods. It seems there is a huge contingency of rodders and observers of street rodding who believe that every car in the fairgrounds area was built by a professional shop. We’re not about to argue the point that a lot of people now pay to have work done on their cars, whether it’s chassis work, bodywork or upholstery. However, there is still a large group of people who spend evenings and weekends out in the garage forming brackets, repairing rust, blocking panels and wiring hot rods. In short, they are building cars the old-fashioned way—at home with the help of a few friends.

    Read More »

    CREATIVE CABRIOLET

    Cabriolets have become popular over the past few years, and the ’37 is an enthusiast favorite. They have become so popular that numerous reproductions have been made. Because of the original’s low production figures—only 10,184 were built—most, but not all, of the ’37 cabriolets attending rod events are fiberglass. The problem with the originals is that for years they were only marginally desirable and many were junked. The ones that weren’t were parked outside where the weather had taken its toll. When the tops rotted, the cabriolets would begin to rust from the inside out. That means that finding a nice, solid, rust-free cabriolet can be difficult.

    Read More »

    PANDEMONIUM IN POMONA

    When it comes to indoor car shows, the Grand National Roadster Show is, and always has been, one of the finest in the country. This show originated in the Bay Area, and for years it became known as the Oakland Roadster Show.

    Read More »

    Spotlighter

    POPULAR READS

    Colorado Drop Kit

    Story and Photography by Marshall Spiegel

    DJM Introduces a Slick 3X4 Chevy Colorado Lowering Kit – Here’s How to Install It

    Since its incorporation in 1985, DJM Suspension in Gardena, California, has grown to become one of the leading manufacturers of lowering kits for a wide variety of trucks. The company’s goal has always been to design and manufacture drop kits that help preserve the factory ride quality, and that goal was a big consideration when DJM set out to create a kit to lower the new Chevy Colorado (and the GMC Canyon). The DJM engineers created a 3-inch front drop, based on a specially designed lower control arm, and a 4-inch rear drop, which was achieved with DJM’s new, stronger steel lowering blocks. DJM strongly recommends that its new steel lowering blocks be used on vehicles with high-output engines.

    The new 3×4 drop kit turned out to be relatively easy to install. The stock ride height measured 19-1/2 inches in front and 20-1/2 inches in the rear (measured from the center of the wheel to the fender lip). After the installation, the front and rear measured 16-1/2 inches, showing a 3-inch drop in front, and 16-1/2 inches in the rear for a 4-inch drop. At the new ride height, our test 04 Colorado had a ride and handling that seemed nearly as good as when the truck was at the stock ride height, but the new stance was far more aggressive and the looks were much improved.

    DJM informed us that the stock shocks would work fine with this new drop kit for those on a budget; but it is recommended that the stock shocks be replaced with higher-quality, high-performance gas shocks to further improve the ride and handling. DJM owner and company president Jeff Ullmann performed the installation himself as we followed along so that we could witness for ourselves just how straightforward the swap is. Our test vehicle is a white 04 Colorado, and the accompanying photos show the highlights of the installation. 

    1 The stock front ride height of the '04 Colorado measured 19-1/2 inches from the center of the wheel to the edge of the fender lip.
    2 The stock rear ride height measured 20-1/2 inches.
    3 The secret of the 3-inch front drop is in the design of the new DJM lower control arm (left), shown here beside the stock Colorado lower control arm. The comparison is obvious.
    4 After removing the wheels, our installer, DJM chief honcho and drop kit designer Jeff Ullmann, removed the tie rod at the driver's front corner.
    5 He then removed the brake caliper.
    6 The lower ball joint nut was removed.
    7 Ullmann then prepared to remove the spindle and lower ball joint from the lower control arm.
    8 The pivot bolts were removed.
    9 Ullmann then removed the stock lower control arm.
    10 The stock ball joint was unbolted.
    11 The stock ball joint was then removed from the stock lower control arm.
    12 Ullmann reinstalled the stock ball joint on the DJM lower control arm using all stock hardware.
    13 After tightening the ball joint bolts, the DJM control arm was then installed.
    14 The strut was installed to the control arm (making certain the strut bolt was facing correctly so it doesnÕt hit the wheel).
    15 The ball joint nut was reinstalled using original hardware.
    16 The brake caliper was reinstalled.
    17 The tie rod was installed.
    18 Here's a look at the new, stronger DJM steel lowering blocks recommended for all vehicles with engines of six cylinders or larger.
    19 Ullmann began the rear drop by removing the original rear shocks (retaining the stock hardware to be reinstalled).
    20 He removed the spring plate.
    21 Ullmann checked the 1/2-inch adapter for the axle pin (unique to the DJM lowering block kit and included in the kit), which gives the kit greater versatility.
    22 He then inserted the lowering block in position, making certain that the angle correctly faced forward.
    23 Here's a comparison of the stock U-bolt (top) and the much longer DJM U-bolt.
    24 The original spring plate was reinstalled.
    25 The U-bolts were retightened to the original torque specifications.
    26 The original rear shocks were reinstalled. (To improve the ride, DJM suggests changing to an upgraded shock.)
    27 The lowered '04 Colorado measured 16-1/2 inches at both ends, indicating a 3-inch front and a 4-inch rear drop for a more sporting and aggressive-looking stance.

    Author

    Picture of TheAutoBuilder Staff

    TheAutoBuilder Staff

    ARTICLE SOURCES

    DJM Suspension, Inc.

    Dept. TB
    580 W. 184th St.
    Gardena, CA 90248
    800/237-6748
    310/538-1538 (Tech)

    Scroll to Top

    Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

    * indicates required
    Interests

    For information about our privacy practices, please visit our website.

    We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices.