Suspension Lift Advice

Ok, I have a 2000 Silverado Z71 as shown below in the sig, has the 5.3 etc. I want to lift it and plan on doing it next spring. Now my question is do you guys have any advice as to which company makes the best kit that would be ok to put on a truck that is daily driven. Now I won't be taking it through any hardcore mud or anything, mainly just for the beach. I want to go 6 inches at least, so I can fit a 35 inch tall tire. What are your recommendations as far as kits go? Will I need anything not included in the kit besides tires and rims? I was also thinking about putting a body lift on as well just to give it a little more height, is this stupid? If not what is a good body lift as far as size and brand?

PS this is my first truck, although I do have great mechanical skills I have never really researched what is good to have in a suspension kit, help a fellow board member out!

I would say Pro-Comp for a 6" or 7". The 7" will work with 35's. Anything bigger, CST, Cognito or Full Throttle. I've read they make excellent kits. With a 6" the biggest tire you're going to get to work without any major problems is a 34". My friend has the 6" Pro-Comp MX-6 with 18" wheels and 34's. Driven it and it rides nicely. A body lift isn't really going to give you added clearance except in terms of fitting the tires you want, you will gain no ground clearance. I'm going to be blatently honest with you as well and say that I think body lifts are ugly. I've never liked them and never will.

Also make sure you get the Ladder Bars!!! They help greatly reduce/prevent axle wrap and hop.

I have been searching around and from what I can tell, the cheapest Pro-Comp 6" kit is sold by www.4wheelonline.com for $1,349.00 If you have found it cheaper drop me a line! I plan on going with Weld Racing rims, not sure on size of those nor tires yet.

There is a forum I was reading at one time, I honestly cant remember it. I will work on it. Everybody on there said if you want to go 6 inches, no doubt go with Fabtech ( www.fabtechmotorsports.com ). They were the leaders for 2wd lifts and from what I heard build a great 6" 4wd kit that can run 35's with just a bit of trimming. There is a shop in Houston,Tx (actually the suburb Stafford, TX) that is all they use. They lift a bunch of vehicles from silverados, avalanches, tahoes and burbans. If you look at their website and go the the gallery, you can see they do some pretty trick stuff, the escalde on the home page is a daily driver (its a one off suspension system), if you go into the GM pics the red avalanch has a 6 inch and a 3 inch body lift and running 36's. I have talked with this guy and he hasnt had any problems. I am going to have them lift my 2500 duramax Im getting later in the year. Hope this helps

Sorry I forgot to put the shop address down, www.alloutoffroad.com

try posting here
http://www.fullsizechevy.com/

If you want 35's with the least hassle a full drop 6" kit will work w/o trimming. Fabtech only drops the front diff 4.5" and you gain the rest of the height from new lift spindles. ProComp, Cognito, CST all drop the front diff 6" which means that a fabtech set at 6" will have steeper angles than a ProComp or CST set at 6". Full drop kits can always be cranked about 2" higher. There's lots of great advice here too: http://www.gmfullsize.com/forum/

What about RCD racing lifts? Thats the kind I'm looking at buying.

If you want 35's with the least hassle a full drop 6" kit will work w/o trimming. Fabtech only drops the front diff 4.5" and you gain the rest of the height from new lift spindles. ProComp, Cognito, CST all drop the front diff 6" which means that a fabtech set at 6" will have steeper angles than a ProComp or CST set at 6". Full drop kits can always be cranked about 2" higher. There's lots of great advice here too: http://www.gmfullsize.com/forum/
Forgot to plug gmfullsize. Those guys with drops and lifts know their stuff.

I agree with airjam18. Pro Comp is the way to go. I also have the 6" on my 2003 1500 4x4. I love it. I'll admit, I have added the Ford keys and lifted the rear an additional 1.5", so the final product is around 71/2" front, 7" rear. The kit has been trouble free. I DO NOT care for Fabtech or RCD. Not that the quality isn't there, just the design isn't. RCD is more like 5". You must fully drop the front diff the same amount you wish to raise the vehicle or you will hate yourself someday. CV's work at some crazy angles, but not that long! Wait until 4 Wheel Parts Wholesalers has a rebate sale or some free shocks with the purchase and go for it. BTW, if you can find a shop (reputable) that will do it for $500-$600, it's well worth the cash. Also, get them to warranty the lift for life. Pro Comp warrants the kit, so they should warrant their work!