Lifting Silverado..suggestions

[dels322]

I am on a budget and want to get the most bang for my buck on a lift, want to spend less than a grand if possible, was looking at a 4 inch but u can still only fit 33's on it with that so why bother with it if u can do that with the torsion keys. right now im inching towards torsion keys for 3 inches, 3 inch body lift, and maybe inch and a half blocks in the back. my only problem with this is that some torsion key companies say u get 3 others 2.5 my question is can i get 3 SAFELY, because then the whole thing will cost about 600 max, (before the tires which should fit 35's)and i could install it myself or do you think i should save my money and get a 6 inch suspension...which now i would have to pay to get installed and cost about 1200 befroe installation (the least expensive i can find) any help would be great...not gonna happen for a while im thinkin end of august. so let me know what u think, thanks

PS Also worried that if i go over 4 inch suspension it will mess up the steering and drive shaft to much ,also u think it will perform alright in simple offroading and mudding

[bigbadram51]

Well, I say if your going to do it. Do it right the first time... If you go with the keys, you can get 3 inches safely for the most part. Although I will tell you it will ride like sh*t. You will probably hate the ride. It will also put a ton of strain on your ball joints, cv axles. If your going to go with 3 inches on your TB's you should really look at getting new UCA's to compensate for the more extreme angle. You will need to replace your shocks too, that way you will probably get back a little bit of your ride. Id say get a 6 inch lift..... trust me you will want more later (its addictive). Id say find a well priced knuckle lift. keeps all your steering in stock location... knuckles seem to keep alingment better. I can send you some pics of mine with 8 inches of lift and 35's and 8" suspension and 3 inches of body with 35's.... 37's to come when the 35's are worn out.

[01silverado03z400]

If your truck is a 4X4 3" body lift by itself will fit 35s on stock rims with a little crank and a little trim.


Buf if you go with aftermarket wheels you have to find some with similar backspacing or else you will have some major rubbing issues when turning. Thats the problem i had with my truck. To fix it i just got keys put in front and 4" block in the rear (stock block is 2" so 4" block gives 2" of lift). Right now i line up exactly with trucks that have a 6" suspension lift. Body lift cost me about 400$ and i installed it myself. Keys and blocks cost me 1200$ installed. Parts would only have been about 7-800? So in total i spent about 1600$ CAN. A 6" suspension lift here costs about $2900 - $3000 and the price for a 4" suspension lift is almost the same. If i wouldve started all over i probably just wouldve done the 6" suspension lift or i wouldve just added a 6" to my 3" BL and wouldve run 37s but i wouldnt be able to park in my garage. Keep in mind that 35s will cost you about 1200$.

Heres some pics of my truck with 3" BL + keys and blocks on 35s
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=722047

[bigbadram51]

here is one with 8 inches of lift and 35's



And 8" of susp. and 3" of body with 35's

[dels322]

Thanks guys im really inchin to the 6 inch suspension, for the most part since i had 33's on my 98 tahoe with a 3 inch body didnt quite like the way the body lift turned out.
mostly it just sucks bc i want to do all this work now and am absolutely shot on funds...just moved into a new place, and ur right its addicting as hell and if i go with the 6 inch susp. im sure ill stop there i know i wouldnt if i went with the TB or body lift..wuold end up puttin a 6 inch in anyway...heres a link to a company selling the super ride kit with Dick Cepek Wheels and tires for 2500 which by my math is a damn steal...now i got to wait to get the money and a 3 day weekend to install it

http://www.justliftkits.com/inc/sdetail/3322

[bigbadram51]

The only thing I see is if you have the Z71 with factory 17's, I dont believe the 16's they offer will work. Im not sure exactly why (maybe a bit bigger caliper), but you need a 17" or bigger if yours came stock with 17's

[bigbadram51]

Heres my opinion man, Ive tried to build a truck on the cheap..... Dont do it... You'll never be happy. Be patient, do it right the first time.... I thought that when I bought my 7-9" kit, I was going slightly bigger than I thought I wanted.... I was wrong. Hindsight, I wish I would have bought the 10-12" kit so I wouldnt have needed to buy the body lift. With the kit your looking at, make sure the 16's will work. If you have factory 17's you need the same size or bigger.. I think 18's or 20's look best with 35's

[01silverado03z400]

You should also factor in regearing to 4.56 or 4.88 gears if your going to a 35 inch or bigger tire. And consider switching up to a beefier posi.

[TexasF355F1]

Never been a fan of body lifts and would never do it on my own truck. But if you're suspension lift is as much as Bigbadrams (looks great as always manopcorn: ), then body lifts are way more acceptable imo.

The main reason being you already have the clearance, if you just do a plan body lift you only gain wheel well space, no under-carriage.

[dels322]

Yeah i kno what i gotta do i gotta wait and save some money do this thing right otherwise i know im not going to be happy. thanks for the suggestion about the rims didnt think of that, gotta admit its a hell of a price for the kit tho, probably going to go with my cousin at some point to get one hes got a friend who can get a 6/4 for 800, im not askin how prolly fell off the truck, more or less the bodylift and the torsion keys were a moment of weakness because i want it now but i gotta wait. thanks for all your help if anyone else has any suggestions let me kno...im just so tired of my truck lookin stock