Belltech Nitro Drop Shocks - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Kopper · 08-20-2005, 07:12 PM

Any positive or negative feedback on Belltech Nitro Drop shocks would be appreciated.

I needed drop shocks and I've heard the the DT's are harsh. The Belltech's are apparently engineered for each vehicle application and have a decent ride.

I'm sure this has probably been posted before.

boxrodz · 08-21-2005, 01:24 AM

I've heard negative feedback on the Nitro-Drop Shock. The recommendation is to avoid the Nitro-Drop and get the Nitro-Active. A lot of folks with lowered truck rave about the Doetschs. (Edelbrock also engineered shocks that are adjustable.)

laynlow77 · 08-21-2005, 07:44 AM

i actually liked the nitro actives on my car, but i just bought some air ride technologies control arm and they came with some new shocks, so if you want to get them then let me know. they are almost brand new....less than 500 miles on them!

Kopper · 08-21-2005, 10:50 AM

Thanks for the responses.

The thing that I noticed about the Doetsch Tech shocks was that the same shock is used in many different applications.

Same shock - front of a Pickup, rear of a Jimmy, rear of a Suburban.

Same shock - rear of a Pickup, rear of an Astro Van, rear of a Toyota and Mazda.

The applications are very different and you would think the valving would be different too. I sent Doetsch Tech an email inquiring about their different shocks. If I get any good information I will post it.

laynlow77 · 08-21-2005, 02:19 PM

just let me know what you want to do

milehightoyz · 08-21-2005, 02:37 PM

never been a fan of the nitro or the nitro active, both were way t soft and did not last veyr long. i was on the other hand very happy with the Doetsch Tech shocks, nice firm ride with good handling, pricey but worth the extra money, edelbrock ias i have yet to try but have heard good things about.

pissonNOS · 08-22-2005, 01:20 AM

I really like my belltech drop shocks the ride is great in my truck anyways

loblazer · 08-25-2005, 12:31 PM

Kopper, where are you in Ontario, I am in Fergus, north of Guelph.

I have nitro drop shocks on my 2WD 80 Blazer, 4" front and 6" rear. Only driven 2 summers. I have a DJM 5" flip kit with a 5" C notch. Not real happy with the rear. It seems to still hit hard and wobbles sideways on some rough roads. Never bottoms out though. Smooth on nice highways though.

I need to check it over and see if I can tighten things up. I hate that wobble.

Doug

Kopper · 08-25-2005, 08:30 PM

Thanks for the responses.

laynlow77 - thanks for the offer on the shocks but I ended up ordering a set.

Doug - do you have a stabilizer bar on the rear?

I placed an order with Summit and ended up getting the Belltechs. Things are a little slow going back together. I removed, sandblasted, and epoxy primed the A-arms and crossmember. I'm waiting on Chevy Duty for the LCA U-bolts, I may have to go to the dealer and see if they can still get them.

boxrodz · 08-27-2005, 02:59 AM

Looking good, Kopper.

bodydropped · 08-27-2005, 05:22 PM

i have had bad experience with bell tech shocks they work good for a couple of months then turn to crude

loblazer · 08-27-2005, 07:46 PM

Hi Kopper

I don't have sway bars at all. I was wondering if front and rear bars would help. Every time I check trucks at the wreckers for stuff I never find bars. Guess I have to keep trying or check Triad more often.

Looks like you have Ground Force coils? I am happy with my DJM stuff and Stylin Concepts in Ohio where I ordered it.

Thanks, Doug

Kopper · 08-27-2005, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bodydropped

i have had bad experience with bell tech shocks they work good for a couple of months then turn to crude

That's not good. Are you still running them or have you replaced them? They apparently have a 5yr warranty on their shocks, it might be worth contacting Belltech.

http://www.belltechcorp.com/pages/warranty.htm

Ken

Kopper · 08-27-2005, 08:45 PM

Doug,

I think you would see a big difference with sway bars, especially the front bar. You've got a good eye.....the coils are Ground Force. I've got Western spindles and Western shackles and hangers. I'm probably going end up going with a flip kit though.

Ken

bodydropped · 08-28-2005, 03:25 AM

nope tool them off and thru them away there not that stiff because it fills like ur ridin around with no shocks at all so i put my stockers back on

loblazer · 08-28-2005, 08:22 AM

Hi Ken:

Nope, still have them on. I will be pulling the motor and trans soon for another set I have. Will check the shocks. Probaly swap them out. Will check with Stylin on my warranty.

I made my own flip kit from 1/4" steel plate, cut and drilled from local machine shop. Then I got a schedule 80, 5" steeel pipe from work and cut 4" off and cut her in half and welded those in each side of the round frame cutout. Looks good and is real solid. You ca buy sch 80 at your local steel shop.
Whole thing cost me about $80.00 and my buddy welded it all in.

If you buy a flip kit buy 1/4", some guys sell 3/16". I believe DJM is 1/4"

Thanks, Doug

08-20-2005, 07:12 PM	#1
Kopper Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Ontario, canada Posts: 138	Belltech Nitro Drop Shocks Any positive or negative feedback on Belltech Nitro Drop shocks would be appreciated. I needed drop shocks and I've heard the the DT's are harsh. The Belltech's are apparently engineered for each vehicle application and have a decent ride. I'm sure this has probably been posted before.

08-21-2005, 01:24 AM	#2
boxrodz Until Seventy Times Seven Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Rocky Mountain Front Range Posts: 1,301	I've heard negative feedback on the Nitro-Drop Shock. The recommendation is to avoid the Nitro-Drop and get the Nitro-Active. A lot of folks with lowered truck rave about the Doetschs. (Edelbrock also engineered shocks that are adjustable.) __________________ boxRODz 1983 C10 SWB Fleetside When two halves is gone, there's nuthin left. Two nothings is nuthin. That's mathematics son. You can argue with me but you can't argue with figures. Two half nothings is a whole nuthin...

08-21-2005, 10:50 AM	#4
Kopper Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Ontario, canada Posts: 138	Thanks for the responses. The thing that I noticed about the Doetsch Tech shocks was that the same shock is used in many different applications. Same shock - front of a Pickup, rear of a Jimmy, rear of a Suburban. Same shock - rear of a Pickup, rear of an Astro Van, rear of a Toyota and Mazda. The applications are very different and you would think the valving would be different too. I sent Doetsch Tech an email inquiring about their different shocks. If I get any good information I will post it. Last edited by Kopper; 08-21-2005 at 12:26 PM.

08-22-2005, 01:20 AM	#7
pissonNOS senior member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: fort macleod alberta Posts: 2,770	I really like my belltech drop shocks the ride is great in my truck anyways __________________ 69 GMC bagged

08-25-2005, 08:30 PM	#9
Kopper Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Ontario, canada Posts: 138	Thanks for the responses. laynlow77 - thanks for the offer on the shocks but I ended up ordering a set. Doug - do you have a stabilizer bar on the rear? I placed an order with Summit and ended up getting the Belltechs. Things are a little slow going back together. I removed, sandblasted, and epoxy primed the A-arms and crossmember. I'm waiting on Chevy Duty for the LCA U-bolts, I may have to go to the dealer and see if they can still get them. Attached Images Last edited by Kopper; 08-25-2005 at 08:32 PM.

08-21-2005, 07:44 AM	#3
laynlow77 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 115	i actually liked the nitro actives on my car, but i just bought some air ride technologies control arm and they came with some new shocks, so if you want to get them then let me know. they are almost brand new....less than 500 miles on them!

08-21-2005, 02:19 PM	#5
laynlow77 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 115	just let me know what you want to do

08-21-2005, 02:37 PM	#6
milehightoyz AttentionDeficitDisorder Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: COLORADO Posts: 600	never been a fan of the nitro or the nitro active, both were way t soft and did not last veyr long. i was on the other hand very happy with the Doetsch Tech shocks, nice firm ride with good handling, pricey but worth the extra money, edelbrock ias i have yet to try but have heard good things about.

08-25-2005, 12:31 PM	#8
loblazer Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Fergus, Ontario Posts: 481	Kopper, where are you in Ontario, I am in Fergus, north of Guelph. I have nitro drop shocks on my 2WD 80 Blazer, 4" front and 6" rear. Only driven 2 summers. I have a DJM 5" flip kit with a 5" C notch. Not real happy with the rear. It seems to still hit hard and wobbles sideways on some rough roads. Never bottoms out though. Smooth on nice highways though. I need to check it over and see if I can tighten things up. I hate that wobble. Doug

08-27-2005, 02:59 AM	#10
boxrodz Until Seventy Times Seven Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Rocky Mountain Front Range Posts: 1,301	Looking good, Kopper. __________________ boxRODz 1983 C10 SWB Fleetside When two halves is gone, there's nuthin left. Two nothings is nuthin. That's mathematics son. You can argue with me but you can't argue with figures. Two half nothings is a whole nuthin...

08-27-2005, 05:22 PM	#11
bodydropped Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: beaumont,tx Posts: 757	i have had bad experience with bell tech shocks they work good for a couple of months then turn to crude __________________ http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...ropped/sig.jpg

08-27-2005, 07:46 PM	#12
loblazer Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Fergus, Ontario Posts: 481	Hi Kopper I don't have sway bars at all. I was wondering if front and rear bars would help. Every time I check trucks at the wreckers for stuff I never find bars. Guess I have to keep trying or check Triad more often. Looks like you have Ground Force coils? I am happy with my DJM stuff and Stylin Concepts in Ohio where I ordered it. Thanks, Doug Last edited by loblazer; 08-27-2005 at 07:49 PM.

08-27-2005, 08:45 PM	#14
Kopper Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Ontario, canada Posts: 138	Doug, I think you would see a big difference with sway bars, especially the front bar. You've got a good eye.....the coils are Ground Force. I've got Western spindles and Western shackles and hangers. I'm probably going end up going with a flip kit though. Ken

08-28-2005, 03:25 AM	#15
bodydropped Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: beaumont,tx Posts: 757	nope tool them off and thru them away there not that stiff because it fills like ur ridin around with no shocks at all so i put my stockers back on __________________ http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...ropped/sig.jpg

08-28-2005, 08:22 AM	#16
loblazer Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Fergus, Ontario Posts: 481	Hi Ken: Nope, still have them on. I will be pulling the motor and trans soon for another set I have. Will check the shocks. Probaly swap them out. Will check with Stylin on my warranty. I made my own flip kit from 1/4" steel plate, cut and drilled from local machine shop. Then I got a schedule 80, 5" steeel pipe from work and cut 4" off and cut her in half and welded those in each side of the round frame cutout. Looks good and is real solid. You ca buy sch 80 at your local steel shop. Whole thing cost me about $80.00 and my buddy welded it all in. If you buy a flip kit buy 1/4", some guys sell 3/16". I believe DJM is 1/4" Thanks, Doug Last edited by loblazer; 08-28-2005 at 08:28 AM.



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