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only1adam12

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  • Name
    Adam
  • Location
    Lafayette, La.
  • Drives
    2015 Silverado Black Widow Edition

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  1. only1adam12
    I put about 200 miles on it since getting it back and have noticed a change. I have a much better turning radius now and the only time I notice and cross-tire wear is when turning to full lock. The steering seems to be looser and takes more turns of the steering wheel but at least the tires don't bind like before. Overall, I'm happy with the way it steers and turns into my driveway without killing my tires but don't like the new stance at all. I was told I would only lose about 1" to 1.5" but it looks like I lost 2.5" to 3". I just had a conference call this morning with Fabtech, Southern Comfort, and my dealer to see what my options are to get the truck back to what i paid for. I think all of them are pretty upset with me since they have all gone out of their way to fix the issue but the solution/end result was a lower truck. Since the Gen II lift has been installed there is no going back to the Gen I due to some cutting on the front differential. Bottom line: The steering problem is fixed but I'm in a much (very noticeable) lower truck that isn't what I agreed to pay the extra $$ for. I'm still working with the dealership to see what my options are. The before/after pic is of an identical Black Widow and my truck after the new lift. So noticeable that people are asking what happened to my truck.
  2. only1adam12
    O got the Gen II lift installed but no time to drive it much. I do notice a HUGE difference in ride height. Looks like i lost 2+ inches so not happy at all there. I'm anxious to drive it around and see if the steering is fixed. I'll try to post some before/after pics of the height. From what I was told, once the Gen II kit is installed there is no going back to Gen I due to some trimming on the Diff. If it drives ok I'll prob have to get my height back with some spacers/bigger blocks. Can't believe how much trouble I'm having with all of this. i thought going back to Chevy would be a breeze....
  3. only1adam12
    bmc350, Any updates? My truck is scheduled to go in tomorrow for a lift swap from Gen I to Gen II.thanks
  4. only1adam12
    Good looking truck. Does RMT use Fabtech lifts? I know Rocky Ridge makes their own lifts (which are great) but I'm not up to speed on Vanworks. based on the pics, it looks like you have the aluminum control arms and the bottom shock spacer which is the exact set-up i have from Fabtech (Gen I). I was told the same thing about it being "normal" but we know better. If it's fabtech, i suggest calling/emailing their customer support as i did. If we put enough complaints in their database they may start taking more action to correct the issue. What was the idea behind changing the tires? Were they thinking the width had something to do with it? I'm thinking that my next move is to let Fabtech change mine out to the Gen II. From what I've found, that's a much better lift without all the steering issues.
  5. only1adam12
    bmc350, Can you check to see if you have the coil spring spacer on the top of the shock or at the bottom? If it's at the top then you have the Gen II lift. I'm really curious since Southern Comfort told me that they don't use the Gen II lifts on any of the Black Widow trucks. This may not be true and i'm anxious to find out. Also, If you DO in fact have the Gen I lift without any problems it will help my case a lot with a possible manufacturing problem with my spindles. I'm still trying to find the root-cause of the issue. If you have a Gen II then all of this will just confirm a bad Gen I design. Thanks!
  6. only1adam12
    Also forgot to mention... I dropped my tire pressure to about 40 front and 37 rear. It kinda helps but still not right.
  7. only1adam12
    From what I got, I'm able to convert to the Gen II lift but after the cutting/install i won't be able to go back to a Gen I lift. they are willing to send me all the components to swap to the Gen II lift (free of charge) but I'm trying to figure out the labor charge and warranty specifics. Thinking it will have to be installed by an approved shop to be covered under warranty. I am willing to do it myself to make sure it's done right but don't think that will fly. I'm just getting back from a 2 week vacation and will call them again tomorrow to get the details. I'll keep you posted.
  8. only1adam12
    No sure if anyone has gotten a solution to this problem but I've gone back and forth with Fabtech and they are recommending i change to the Gen II lift. At this point i don't see any other options If I want to get the truck right and keep it for a few years. I'll update once a final decision has been made.
  9. only1adam12
    I'm still working with Fabtech and Southern Comfort to see what we can do to get it figured out. I was doing some research over the weekend and thought of a key issue with lifts. When they design these, they have to account for trucks ranging in all wheelbases. In other words, the same lift is designed to work with a truck having 112" wheelbase and a truck with 147" wheelbase. i noticed that none of the kits ask for truck wheelbase and are compatible with extended cab, crew cab, and quad cab. Since these all have different wheelbases, the required Ackermann angle will be different but the lift design (i'm assuming) is designed to meet somewhere in the middle. Since everyone here is having the same issue with the longer wheelbase, I think we are seeing the effect of increased Ackermann. I'm going to continue to dig around and hopefully come up with a solution soon.
  10. only1adam12
    I've talked to Armen with Fabtech and several times and had an e-mail chain going for a few weeks and I was told the exact same thing. I had the dealer align it to factory specs, then to Fabtech specs (which made it worse), then back to factory. I knew the problem but no idea what was causing it. When I finally took it to a well known local alignment shop, he could see the problem almost immediately. It's something they don't catch on the $50k+ computerized alignment machines because they never have to turn the wheel and have little to no mechanic experience. Everyone here having the same problem with: 2014+ Chevy/GM, Aluminum suspension, Gen 1 6" Fabtech lift. I'm betting on either a design flaw with Gen 1 lifts or a bad batch of manufactured lifts. The alignment shop measured the distance between the tie rod mount on the spindle and the rim and said there was a 1/4"-3/8" difference between the left and right side. I tried to measure it but couldn't get a good read. I'll try to get a good caliper and check again today. Southern Comfort has been reassuring me that we will get the problem taken care of and is supposed to be talking to the Fabtech manager today. Armen with Fabtech said it's the alignment but everyone here knows there is a bigger issue. The dealer I bought it from has give up and won't return my calls. I'll keep you posted on what I hear from Southern Comfort. It seems like they want to get it fixed as much as I do.
  11. only1adam12
    My front tires (outside) at 12k miles. They have been on the front for the the last ~1500 miles.
  12. only1adam12
    No spacer at the top, Looks like the Gen ! lift with aluminum suspension which is exactly what I have. I also have identical tire wear but more with only 12k mile. The outside tread of my front tires is almost completely shot. From what i understand, the steering arms on the spindles dimensions are different between the left and right side. The mechanic measured the distance between the back of the rim and the point where the tie-rods meet the spindle and said that they are about 1/4" - 3/8" different. When turning, the outside wheel turns about 22 degrees and the inside tire turns 18 degrees. Completely opposite of what it is supposed to do and what I've been complaining about since I bought it. Apparently there is either a design flaw or manufacturing problem on the spindles. Either way, it's going to have to be fixed or i will be spending a ton of $$ on tires and other parts that wear prematurely. Not sure who's paying/doing the work but working on that now. I'm assuming they will also be buying me a new set of tires after everything is fixed. i'm supposed to hear back on Monday after Southern Comfort and the Fabtech manager talk. For now, the truck is aligned with negative cam to try to get the tires to ride on the inside until we can get it fixed. From the pics and description of your post, we probably have a lift/kit with the same problem. Hopefully it will be recognized and corrected. I'll keep you posted
  13. only1adam12
    Gen I lift has the spacers below the strut and Gen II has the spacers on top. I'm wondering if there was a design flaw with the Gen I which caused them to come out with the re-design. I just got mine back from an independent alignment shop (that only does alignments) and was told that the Ackerman angle is way off and it was coming from the aftermarket spindles that Fabtech provided with the lift. I'm having them write up exactly what the problem is and going to see what Fabtech and Souther Comfort will do. I was told that it will never turn correctly unless the spindles are changed. No idea if this comes from the Gen I lift design flaw or was a problem when manufactured. I'll keep you posted on what they say.
  14. only1adam12
    Justin, Any updates since the alignment? the dealer here wants nothing to do with me or the truck. They sold it to me and now are hoping i'll go away. i have an appointment with an independent alignment shop tomorrow and hoping I can get it fixed. My tires are basically shot with ~12k miles. BMC350, Any updates on your issues?
  15. only1adam12
    Also, Do you have the Gen 1 or Gen 2 Fabtech lift? And have you been in contact with Southern Comfort of just the dealer?
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