Lift Kit/Tire Advice Needed

Sandlot · 10-09-2009, 08:56 AM

2001 Ext Cab 4X4 Silverado. Currently needs new tires and shocks anyway. Never done anything to it and want to make it look "Tougher" mostly because wanting a change and wife thinks it is stupid. I teach/coach at a high school and most kids have 6" lifts that are cranked as high as can go. I do not think I want that big of a change. But also don't know much about lifts. Plan on getting different exhaust and adding some step bars to make getting in better for family. All suggestions on what i can do to the whole thing are appreciated. Some options i have looked at: I will put pics of truck if I figure out how to.
1. 6" rough country, but crank it down some and put 33's or 35's. Someone told me to go 6" and crank it down instead of 4" because it would be better ride and is same price.
2. 4" rough country with 33's.
3. 1.5" rough country leveling torsion bar with shocks and 3" rear blocks on 33's.
Sorry for long post, I obviously do not know much about all of this. Please help guys, Thanks!

Bobs4X4 · 10-09-2009, 08:03 PM

i would go with the six if its the same price then if you want it a little higher just crank it up, also if you want to just go big so you wont want to do it again

Sandlot · 10-12-2009, 07:59 AM

what is the biggest tire i can put on my stock chevy rims now? i have 265/75/16 Durango muds on and badly neeed replaced. A mechanic told me I had a good inch of crank available on my truck now also. I also don't want to do any re-gearing so 6" lifts and 35's are not an option. Rough Country seems like the least expensive of many that I am researching. Maybe they aren't as good as some, but should be ok for what i need?.?.? Rough country has two packages that i would appreciate some input on:
1. 1.5" - Leveling torsion bar adjustor keys, 4 Nitro 9000 shocks, rear 3" blocks and u-bolts for $189.95. This option would give me 1.5 with lift, 1" crank and possibly 2" with bigger tires?
2. 4" Front: Lifted knuckles, differential drop brackets, front & rear drop crossmembers, durable skid plate, sway-bar links, half-shaft spacers, and torsion bar crossmember drop brackets. Rear: 3" lifted blocks and u-bolts. Kit includes (4) Nitro 9000 shocks. $999.95.
3. any suggestions on others i should be looking at?

bradrhale · 10-12-2009, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandlot

what is the biggest tire i can put on my stock chevy rims now? i have 265/75/16 Durango muds on and badly neeed replaced. A mechanic told me I had a good inch of crank available on my truck now also. I also don't want to do any re-gearing so 6" lifts and 35's are not an option.

lets take this apart before you make any decisions. you can go as big as you want but width will be your limitation. a 315/75/16 (35") will fit on a 8 in wheel and look good with great functionality. a 6in lift will not affect your gears. any lift will not affect it. the tires are going to be what determines what gears you get among a few other things that we wont discuss now.
you are running a 31.6in tire right now. there is not alot of choices between what you have now and a 35 since you have stated that 35 is too big, so take that into account.

Sandlot · 10-12-2009, 08:07 PM

only reason i thought 35's were out is I was under the belief that if I went that route I would have to re-gear and i am prob getting into costs I don't want. i do understand that the lift does not affect. i am getting a cost estimate tomorrow on a couple packages and will post them for your input. rough country seems the most cost reasonable from this local 4x4 truck shop. their recommendations are 6" susp with 35's (which they did not mention anything about re-gearing) 4" susp with 33's or the 1.5" front susp/block. by the way the 6 and 4 are both $999.95 plus labor. sorry for being so truck illiterate as I am trying to learn,and thanks for patience in helping me it is MUCH appreciated.

bradrhale · 10-13-2009, 06:57 AM

without knowing what gears you presently have, it is difficult to make that decision. my 00 had 3.23 gears and i would not recommend anything over 33s if you dont want minor issues. if you have something a bit lower, than the 35s should be ok. i have 35s running a 3.54 gearset. but i do plan on lower that someday soon.

eponator · 10-13-2009, 01:08 PM

Currently running 35's on my factory 3.73 gearset and going strong...

Slightly more sluggish off the line but great when at speed and trying to pick up a little more

The general concensus I seem to find is anything smaller than a 35, no need to regear, anything larger, it is strongly suggested... if you want to run a 35 then regearing isn't necessary but will be helpful in the long run.

In my opinion go with the 6", you'll regret not going bigger later especially since they both cost the same initially.

Sandlot · 10-14-2009, 08:17 AM

Local shop recommends I get a computer programmer to recalibrate speedometer and trans shift points for ($349) if I go with the 6" lift from Rough Country ($2100 parts & labor). Other option they think is good if I don't want to spend much or want a 6 is to go with a 2" leveling kit from Rough Country($600) and use 285's on my stock chevy wheels.

eponator · 10-14-2009, 01:08 PM

Again, this depends on the size of tire you go with. If you are gonna lift it 6" to stick the big meats on, a tuner would definitely help lessen the strain on the drive train but not completely negate it.

I just picked up a used kit to lift my own truck so I'm kinda going through these steps as well. I settled on a pro comp 8.5" lift (6.5 in spring and 2 in shackle) but I'm thinking of selling the 2" shackles to help lessen the costs of getting the rest of the truck up to spec (regearing etc). 6" is cheaper than 8 lol... I will probably invest in a tuner to help alleviate the strain on my drive train due to bigger meat and me not regearing (its a cheaper 1/2 alternative)

If you're lookin to save cash and just go for a leveling kit then shop around, 600 seems a bit too much IMO for just that. Then again I only know fords...

Try looking for used kits too if money is a concern, sometimes you find a deal, just make sure you know what you are buying beforehand! Most companies post install instructions and content lists for their kits on their websites.

Good luck!

Lonesome7.3 · 10-28-2009, 05:54 PM

You guys already beat me to the gear issue.

We cannot tell you which lift to go with becuase we are not driving your truck for you. You have to figure out a direction you want this project to go firat amd foremost. The biggest question is "what will this truck be used for?" You have to be sure the mods you want will fit your lifestyle. Make sure it is something you want to do and not what others want you to do. Onec you have a clear direction and know wha you plan to do with the truck deciding which lift to go with is easy.

10-09-2009, 08:56 AM	#1
Sandlot Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 9	Lift Kit/Tire Advice Needed 2001 Ext Cab 4X4 Silverado. Currently needs new tires and shocks anyway. Never done anything to it and want to make it look "Tougher" mostly because wanting a change and wife thinks it is stupid. I teach/coach at a high school and most kids have 6" lifts that are cranked as high as can go. I do not think I want that big of a change. But also don't know much about lifts. Plan on getting different exhaust and adding some step bars to make getting in better for family. All suggestions on what i can do to the whole thing are appreciated. Some options i have looked at: I will put pics of truck if I figure out how to. 1. 6" rough country, but crank it down some and put 33's or 35's. Someone told me to go 6" and crank it down instead of 4" because it would be better ride and is same price. 2. 4" rough country with 33's. 3. 1.5" rough country leveling torsion bar with shocks and 3" rear blocks on 33's. Sorry for long post, I obviously do not know much about all of this. Please help guys, Thanks! Last edited by bradrhale; 10-09-2009 at 09:01 AM. Reason: no links to other related forums

10-09-2009, 08:03 PM	#2
Bobs4X4 Full Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Alvada, Ohio Posts: 40	i would go with the six if its the same price then if you want it a little higher just crank it up, also if you want to just go big so you wont want to do it again __________________ 1990 Dodge Dakota 5 Speed Manual 4X4 6cyl 3.9L Custom Front and Rear Bumpers Timberline A/T Custom Stereo/Sub System Strobe Lights Tool Box CB/Whips

10-13-2009, 01:08 PM	#7
eponator Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: West Covina, Ca Posts: 363	Currently running 35's on my factory 3.73 gearset and going strong... Slightly more sluggish off the line but great when at speed and trying to pick up a little more The general concensus I seem to find is anything smaller than a 35, no need to regear, anything larger, it is strongly suggested... if you want to run a 35 then regearing isn't necessary but will be helpful in the long run. In my opinion go with the 6", you'll regret not going bigger later especially since they both cost the same initially. __________________ '99 F350 5.4L crewcab Longbed

10-14-2009, 01:08 PM	#9
eponator Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: West Covina, Ca Posts: 363	Again, this depends on the size of tire you go with. If you are gonna lift it 6" to stick the big meats on, a tuner would definitely help lessen the strain on the drive train but not completely negate it. I just picked up a used kit to lift my own truck so I'm kinda going through these steps as well. I settled on a pro comp 8.5" lift (6.5 in spring and 2 in shackle) but I'm thinking of selling the 2" shackles to help lessen the costs of getting the rest of the truck up to spec (regearing etc). 6" is cheaper than 8 lol... I will probably invest in a tuner to help alleviate the strain on my drive train due to bigger meat and me not regearing (its a cheaper 1/2 alternative) If you're lookin to save cash and just go for a leveling kit then shop around, 600 seems a bit too much IMO for just that. Then again I only know fords... Try looking for used kits too if money is a concern, sometimes you find a deal, just make sure you know what you are buying beforehand! Most companies post install instructions and content lists for their kits on their websites. Good luck! __________________ '99 F350 5.4L crewcab Longbed

10-28-2009, 05:54 PM	#10
Lonesome7.3 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Columbus GA Posts: 1,889	You guys already beat me to the gear issue. We cannot tell you which lift to go with becuase we are not driving your truck for you. You have to figure out a direction you want this project to go firat amd foremost. The biggest question is "what will this truck be used for?" You have to be sure the mods you want will fit your lifestyle. Make sure it is something you want to do and not what others want you to do. Onec you have a clear direction and know wha you plan to do with the truck deciding which lift to go with is easy. __________________ I got the **** lights off of an abandoned truck in Iraq.

10-12-2009, 07:59 AM	#3
Sandlot Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 9	what is the biggest tire i can put on my stock chevy rims now? i have 265/75/16 Durango muds on and badly neeed replaced. A mechanic told me I had a good inch of crank available on my truck now also. I also don't want to do any re-gearing so 6" lifts and 35's are not an option. Rough Country seems like the least expensive of many that I am researching. Maybe they aren't as good as some, but should be ok for what i need?.?.? Rough country has two packages that i would appreciate some input on: 1. 1.5" - Leveling torsion bar adjustor keys, 4 Nitro 9000 shocks, rear 3" blocks and u-bolts for $189.95. This option would give me 1.5 with lift, 1" crank and possibly 2" with bigger tires? 2. 4" Front: Lifted knuckles, differential drop brackets, front & rear drop crossmembers, durable skid plate, sway-bar links, half-shaft spacers, and torsion bar crossmember drop brackets. Rear: 3" lifted blocks and u-bolts. Kit includes (4) Nitro 9000 shocks. $999.95. 3. any suggestions on others i should be looking at?

10-12-2009, 08:07 PM	#5
Sandlot Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 9	only reason i thought 35's were out is I was under the belief that if I went that route I would have to re-gear and i am prob getting into costs I don't want. i do understand that the lift does not affect. i am getting a cost estimate tomorrow on a couple packages and will post them for your input. rough country seems the most cost reasonable from this local 4x4 truck shop. their recommendations are 6" susp with 35's (which they did not mention anything about re-gearing) 4" susp with 33's or the 1.5" front susp/block. by the way the 6 and 4 are both $999.95 plus labor. sorry for being so truck illiterate as I am trying to learn,and thanks for patience in helping me it is MUCH appreciated.

10-13-2009, 06:57 AM	#6
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 8,025	without knowing what gears you presently have, it is difficult to make that decision. my 00 had 3.23 gears and i would not recommend anything over 33s if you dont want minor issues. if you have something a bit lower, than the 35s should be ok. i have 35s running a 3.54 gearset. but i do plan on lower that someday soon.

10-14-2009, 08:17 AM	#8
Sandlot Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 9	Local shop recommends I get a computer programmer to recalibrate speedometer and trans shift points for ($349) if I go with the 6" lift from Rough Country ($2100 parts & labor). Other option they think is good if I don't want to spend much or want a 6 is to go with a 2" leveling kit from Rough Country($600) and use 285's on my stock chevy wheels.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Differential Gear Advice Needed	MI0706	Dodge Truck Forum	7	06-05-2009 10:47 AM
Advice needed use to pull 5th wheel	shawn30	Dodge Truck Forum	10	04-22-2009 03:52 PM
Advice needed on hesitation	Case 7230	Chevy Truck Forum	6	05-17-2008 05:35 AM
18" Rim advice needed	V-max	GMC Truck Forum	3	11-13-2006 09:41 PM
18x9" Rim advice needed	V-max	Introductions	0	10-02-2006 02:35 AM