07 Nnbs Silverado With 4" Cst

andylear · November 16, 2009

The background information: 2007 (GMT900) Silverado Crew Cab 1500/4wd/3.73, CST 4" suspension lift, Superlift replacement struts (2-2.5" lift), stacked blocks in the rear with 2" CST and 1.25" from factory, M/T Classic Lock (17x9, 4.5BS), and M/T MTZs (33x12.5). I don't like the stacked blocks and know that it is bad practice to have those installed in this manner. The installer was supposed to have removed the Superlift leveling struts and replaced them with the factory struts during the lift installation. The result of leaving them on caused the front to sit higher than the rear, so he stacked the blocks to compensate. The truck rides really nice, but I want to correct any potentially unsafe issues.

I've been stuck in Iraq for the last 4 months and have had plenty of time to think/plan what to do about my truck. I'm wanting to get some BFG T/A (315/70) tires for my vehicle when I get home, but want to make sure I'm making smart decisions. First, do you think the Superlift strut needs to come off? Second, I want to fix the rear with either a single Skyjacker 3.5" block, an add a leaf with the factory block, or possibly Deaver springs (money?). Third, depending on keeping the Superlift struts on or not will affect what size tire I purchase, so any consideration to this would be helpful.

Thanks in advance for any assistance you can offer,

Andy

stlavsa · November 17, 2009

The background information: 2007 (GMT900) Silverado Crew Cab 1500/4wd/3.73, CST 4" suspension lift, Superlift replacement struts (2-2.5" lift), stacked blocks in the rear with 2" CST and 1.25" from factory, M/T Classic Lock (17x9, 4.5BS), and M/T MTZs (33x12.5). I don't like the stacked blocks and know that it is bad practice to have those installed in this manner. The installer was supposed to have removed the Superlift leveling struts and replaced them with the factory struts during the lift installation. The result of leaving them on caused the front to sit higher than the rear, so he stacked the blocks to compensate. The truck rides really nice, but I want to correct any potentially unsafe issues.

I've been stuck in Iraq for the last 4 months and have had plenty of time to think/plan what to do about my truck. I'm wanting to get some BFG T/A (315/70) tires for my vehicle when I get home, but want to make sure I'm making smart decisions. First, do you think the Superlift strut needs to come off? Second, I want to fix the rear with either a single Skyjacker 3.5" block, an add a leaf with the factory block, or possibly Deaver springs (money?). Third, depending on keeping the Superlift struts on or not will affect what size tire I purchase, so any consideration to this would be helpful.

Thanks in advance for any assistance you can offer,

Andy

I think you could take out the factory block and just run the CST with an add-a-leaf. Can you adjust the lift on the struts? If so I would run the least amount of lift as you can with them.

andylear · November 17, 2009

I cannot adjust the height of the front struts, so they are permanently 2-2.5" tall. I had been leaning towards the idea of replacing the factory block with an add a leaf, since an add a leaf is cheap and preferred over big blocks. Also, this should bring the rear of my truck up a little more which I want.

What about the tires, do you think I'll be okay on the BFG T/A 315/70/17?

stlavsa · November 17, 2009

I cannot adjust the height of the front struts, so they are permanently 2-2.5" tall. I had been leaning towards the idea of replacing the factory block with an add a leaf, since an add a leaf is cheap and preferred over big blocks. Also, this should bring the rear of my truck up a little more which I want.

What about the tires, do you think I'll be okay on the BFG T/A 315/70/17?

welll as far as diameter I would think they would definately clear.. I mean you got a 4" +2" so 6" of total suspension lift up front and what like a 34.5" tires so yah generally a 6" lift on these trucks can clear a 35. They are only slightly wider than your current tire. I doubt you will have any rubbing problems, and if you did Im sure some minor trimming would be all that would be needed.

andylear · November 17, 2009

I agree that the diameter shouldn't be an issue and I think the BFG is more narrow than what I have. I've read that the BFGs normally run small compared to factory specs. It would be nice if more manufacturers made 295/70/17 size tires besides Nitto and Toyo. I won't be back home for a couple of months, so I have plenty of time to decide on the tire.

I'm guessing that an add a leaf doesn't vary much from one brand to another, so it should be a simple process of choosing one.

J-man67 · November 17, 2009

Your front angles might suck...anyway you can get a head-on picture of the suspension?

andylear · November 17, 2009

I'll ask my wife about snapping a picture when she gets a chance. This process may take a little while.

I was looking at the SoCalSuper Trucks website and they have a gallery, where they've installed the same CST kit I have with different coilovers on the front. Isn't this the same basic concept of what I am doing? I know most of these are Fox, King, or ICON but it should be the same principle behind how they work.

I did notice they had the BFGs installed on a lot of those vehicles like I'm planning on. If you get a chance take a look at some of those trucks, they are nice.

stlavsa · November 18, 2009

I'll ask my wife about snapping a picture when she gets a chance. This process may take a little while.

I was looking at the SoCalSuper Trucks website and they have a gallery, where they've installed the same CST kit I have with different coilovers on the front. Isn't this the same basic concept of what I am doing? I know most of these are Fox, King, or ICON but it should be the same principle behind how they work.

I did notice they had the BFGs installed on a lot of those vehicles like I'm planning on. If you get a chance take a look at some of those trucks, they are nice.

well with coilovers they can adjust the height so that if the angles are crazy they can dial it back to an acceptable level which is what i was hoping you could do. How big is the diff drop with that kit?

andylear · November 18, 2009

I have absolutely no idea about the diff drop and I'm not where I can look at the truck. Maybe someone else on here has the CST 4" lift and can chime in.

I emailed SoCal Super Trucks about my situation and I'm waiting to hear back from them. It seems like they work with the CST lifts quite a bit and should be able to offer some advice.