question about lifts on 02 1500 z71

[traviz123]

i am interested in getting a 02 silverado 1500 z71 and i was wondering how much a 3 inch lift would cost and whats better for off roading a body or suspension lift i dont really like the body lift from what i know about them so far cuz it seems more for looks.... but i also was wondering what a 3 inch lift would go to gas mileage i am thinking about getting 33, 34 or 35 i got to decide on that part too and how much a 3 inch lift would cost i am gonna try to do it all my self if posable... thanks for the info everyone

[bigbadram51]

Well there is no short answer to your question, since you have not stated what you will really use the truck for, highway/mall crawler, or more serious off-roading.

My suggestion would be buy a six inch lift. Most 6 inch kits are only drop the diff 4 to 4.5 inches, and crank the TB the rest of the way. Trust me you will always wish you would have gone bigger. I look back and wish I would have got the 10 inch kit. Unless you plan on using stock wheels or wheels with lots of backspacing, the only way you are going to get 35's under there is 6 inches. My 20x10's required nearly 8 inches to clear without trimming.

If three inches is all you are looking for, and capable of doing the work yourself, a 3" body lift is the way to go. With gap guards only someone with a sharp eye will tell the difference. The Performance Accessories kit is only a few hundred bucks (a proper suspension lift will set you back an easy 500+), although time consuming, pretty easy to install. Call a couple buddies over, supply the beer and pizza and make it a weekend project.

As for gas mileage, if your worried about it, lifting is the wrong thing to do. Depending on you current differential gearing (you probably have 3.42's or 3.73's) and how big of tire (both diameter and weight) you go to, this will cause your gas mileage to go down. Other factors is you are screwing up the designed aerodynamics of the vehicle which will cause your MPG to suffer. I am getting about 12-13 all around but im geared pretty deep (4.88's) with only 35's but I did the gearing with 37's in mind, but my Toyo's refuse to wear out!