Looking For Advice

[matt76]

i have a 98 gmc k1500 5.7 ext cab three door, short bed.

i'd like a couple ideas on what i should look at to lift the truck 3in and still get the most comfortable ride possible.

thanks

matt

[stlavsa]

i have a 98 gmc k1500 5.7 ext cab three door, short bed.

i'd like a couple ideas on what i should look at to lift the truck 3in and still get the most comfortable ride possible.

thanks

matt

 

 

Either a full suspension lift or a 3" body lift.

[matt76]

suspension lift only.

i no nothing about suspension lifts. but i know i want the most comfortable ride for my money. what should i start researching?

[stlavsa]

suspension lift only.

i no nothing about suspension lifts. but i know i want the most comfortable ride for my money. what should i start researching?

 

Well generally any of the good lifts are gonna maintain a pretty stock like ride. They usually give you oem style shocks. The thing to keep an eye on is that the kit has a differential drop in order to maintain stock cv angles. Its the difference between a cheap 3" suspension lift that only costs a few hundred bucks vs a good one that costs some more $.

 

The thing that really kills the ride is when you run stiffer rear springs, stiff front coilovers, and prollly mostly the TIRES. Your standard kit isnt going to be replacing that stuff.. but you HAVE to run big tires.. no avoiding that.

[Matt_]

for a 98 k1500, your only 2 options for 3" lift and good quality is the 3" body lift or the 4" suspension lift from rough country or tuff country , both of which are about $1000

 

stay away from any "lift" that is just new torsion keys.

[stlavsa]

for a 98 k1500, your only 2 options for 3" lift and good quality is the 3" body lift or the 4" suspension lift from rough country or tuff country , both of which are about $1000

 

stay away from any "lift" that is just new torsion keys.

 

 

yahhhh what he said

 

(im an idiot didnt realize we were talking '98)

[matt76]

what about these airbag ride rite? would these help make for a more comfortable ride? are these compatible with the lift kits?

[Matt_]

what about these airbag ride rite? would these help make for a more comfortable ride? are these compatible with the lift kits?

 

If the lower control arms arent dropped and there isn't a longer spindle OR the upper control arms dropped as well, plus a differential drop, etc... then it will not help.

 

Your options are the suspension lifts I posted or a body lift, there is no in between option.

[matt76]

what is it about our 98's? how come there isn't many choices for any type of upgrades?

[Matt_]

its not just for your 98... its for ALL independent front suspension trucks. You want 3" you need a small suspension lift or a body lift. Some people try "leveling kits', but IMO you can only go 1.5" safely, 2" max, and 3" is just plain stupid since that's full droop for most trucks (so you'd have 0 down travel and the angles of the suspension components would be horrible.)

 

just the way it is.... There are actually a lot of choices if you consider the other 4" suspension kits available plus the 2 different body lift brands. The ones I listed were just the cheapest ones... there's also Rancho, Trailmaster and Superlift. They're 4-6" ktis that you can set at the low end and if you every want to go bigger, increase them to 6"

[matt76]

i can live with 4 inch. you talked about being able to go from 4 to 6. where can i read about those? thanks for the help, i'm starting to understand all of this a little better.

[Matt_]

They're 4-6" suspension lifts for your truck. You set the ride height by adjusting your torsion bars... no other parts or modifications are required after the kit is installed- just an alignment after you change the ride height.

 

Check out the Rancho RS6543 kit.