2009 Chevy Silverado Bds Lift Kit

traviscruz · February 25, 2010

Hello! I'm new here to GM-trucks.com, and new to Lift kits altogether. I recently bought a 2009 Chevy Silverado Lt 4x4 with the Z71 Package (I now know z71 doesn't do much), and I want to get it lifted. I've been browsing the web and doing a lot of research lately on what to get, and I think I've narrowed it down.

Here is a picture of my truck, I will try to take and upload a few more from diffferent angles tomorrow, and include pictures of the tires.

The Wheels are 18", not the stock 17", and Dueler AT's (not sure of the specs)

Here is what I have in mind:

I want to get a BDS 6" Suspension Lift, With 33" Mickey Thompson Baja Radial ATZ's (traditional not pro). The 6" kit comes with the options for the rear *Block and add a leaf* or *Leaf Springs*. Which method do you prefer and why? What are your opinions on this?

I'm not sure about what wheels to get, but here are some possibilities:

On the BDS website, it says that the max size wheel the 6" suspension supports is 17x9, but I thought I've seen pictures of people with bigger. Anyone know why this is? Would I be able to fit 18's with it?

I also want to get a nerf bar to make it easier for my Mom and girlfriend to get in and out of my truck. I've looked around and I think I've made my decision, but I want to get feedback before I purchase. I think I'm going with these Smittybilt Nerf Steps. Opinions?

How do you think all this would look together? I'm not too worried about cost either, I just want the truck to look nice.

ALso, how do I change my title? I put tites instead of tires and I cant figure out how to change it

venommaxr33 · February 25, 2010

I am also about to get a lift put on. Looking to get the same BDS kit but I am 2wd not 4. I hear after time just doing the leafs in the back can sag but don't quote me on that. As far as tires go I know wheels and tires. I am gonna run a 20x9 wheel with a 35" Toyo so you can run bigger than you have stated.

traviscruz · February 25, 2010

Do you know why the Leafs are 400$ more expensive?

And I wonder why BDS says max wheel size should be 17x9 when lots of people use bigger

jimmyboy8301 · February 25, 2010

with the 6" BDS i would definitely go with 35s not 33s. also you can run 18 or 20" wheels you just have to make sure that you have the correct width and backspacing, thats all you really have to watch as far as wheels. as far as blocks or leaf springs, IMO leafs are better. i have full leaf springs on my truck. having full leaf springs as opposed to blocks helps prevent axle wrap.

traviscruz · February 25, 2010

Yeah I was actually thinking 33's would be a bit small. Thank's for the advice, I love your truck btw

blackout07 · February 26, 2010

IMO, 33's will look fine. A 33x13.50 would fit nice with the kit. Be prepared to trim with 35's and be careful when choosing wheel width/backspacing. As far as rear options go, full leafs are better and cost alot more. With that said, I have the block/AAL and have no complaints. Looking back on it, I have no regrets not getting the replacement springs. As far as the wheels you have posted, I like the Hoss...but they don't look fun to clean.

stlavsa · February 26, 2010

Yeah I was actually thinking 33's would be a bit small. Thank's for the advice, I love your truck btw

I think 33s will be just fine. Its not really that big of a lift. You can definately run 35s though if you want to, but its not exactly rare for people to rub 35s with 6" lift kits on these trucks. Choose good backspacing and u might have to trim a little?! I am not sure I do not have a BDS kit.

Just be aware that there are some things that people generally do when the run 35s and up as opposed to 33" tires. You are reducing the final drive gearing with those bigger tires. What FD does your truck have now? 3.73s? 35" tires tend to gear it a little tall. People like to swap in 4.56s to return the gearing to stock. Doin things like swapping gears, adding aftermarket parts to tranny (ie corvette or billet servos), and getting a PCM/TCM tune to tighten up the shifts will help prolong tranny life. The bigger heavier tires and taller gearing are harder on the drivetrain and some suspension components.

and just to note, I am still running 305/55/20s on my 08 with the fabtech lift . (tires are 33x12.5x20 ish). No one has ever come up to me and said "man those tires look too small". In fact I never get anything but compliments, and actually have recieved more compiments on this truck than any vehicle I have ever had. The fabtech is also give a lil more lift than the BDS so i think your gap would be less than mine with the 33s. With that said, these tires are just about worn out, and when I replace them, I will be going 35x12.5x20 to fill the gap in and I am also installing the 1.5" body lift at the same time, so the gap is actually going to remain just about the same. There are a bunch of folks with these trucks running 35s with a 6" suspension lift AND 3" body lift, and it looks fine. So if your worried about them looking small, you need not worry.

I myself prefer the 35s but I am just making sure you realize what the effects of each tire size are, and that 35s WILL lead to premature wear without some preventative measures, you will never see Overdrive again, AND you will lose a few MPG vs the 33s.. UNLESS YOU REGEAR IT. I believe that if you run 33s you might also have a chance of saving your powertrain warranty. (but dont quote me on that one) I have seen plenty of the silverados for sale at dealerships with the pro-comp lifts and 33" tires, so they are selling them fully warrantied like that brand new. The dont put 35s on em though... All just food for thought.

Im sure jimmyboy and plenty of others will say 35s are just fine they have no problems, and I am sure they speak the truth. Just wanted you to be informed from my point of view.

Edit: this whole post was made without me realizing it was an 09 with the 6 speed. I have no idea what to tell you about the gearing!! but It woudl stand to figure it will still be tall with the 35s

traviscruz · February 26, 2010

Yeah I was actually thinking 33's would be a bit small. Thank's for the advice, I love your truck btw

I think 33s will be just fine. Its not really that big of a lift. You can definately run 35s though if you want to, but its not exactly rare for people to rub 35s with 6" lift kits on these trucks. Choose good backspacing and u might have to trim a little?! I am not sure I do not have a BDS kit.

Just be aware that there are some things that people generally do when the run 35s and up as opposed to 33" tires. You are reducing the final drive gearing with those bigger tires. What FD does your truck have now? 3.73s? 35" tires tend to gear it a little tall. People like to swap in 4.56s to return the gearing to stock. Doin things like swapping gears, adding aftermarket parts to tranny (ie corvette or billet servos), and getting a PCM/TCM tune to tighten up the shifts will help prolong tranny life. The bigger heavier tires and taller gearing are harder on the drivetrain and some suspension components.

and just to note, I am still running 305/55/20s on my 08 with the fabtech lift . (tires are 33x12.5x20 ish). No one has ever come up to me and said "man those tires look too small". In fact I never get anything but compliments, and actually have recieved more compiments on this truck than any vehicle I have ever had. The fabtech is also give a lil more lift than the BDS so i think your gap would be less than mine with the 33s. With that said, these tires are just about worn out, and when I replace them, I will be going 35x12.5x20 to fill the gap in and I am also installing the 1.5" body lift at the same time, so the gap is actually going to remain just about the same. There are a bunch of folks with these trucks running 35s with a 6" suspension lift AND 3" body lift, and it looks fine. So if your worried about them looking small, you need not worry.

I myself prefer the 35s but I am just making sure you realize what the effects of each tire size are, and that 35s WILL lead to premature wear without some preventative measures, you will never see Overdrive again, AND you will lose a few MPG vs the 33s.. UNLESS YOU REGEAR IT. I believe that if you run 33s you might also have a chance of saving your powertrain warranty. (but dont quote me on that one) I have seen plenty of the silverados for sale at dealerships with the pro-comp lifts and 33" tires, so they are selling them fully warrantied like that brand new. The dont put 35s on em though... All just food for thought.

Im sure jimmyboy and plenty of others will say 35s are just fine they have no problems, and I am sure they speak the truth. Just wanted you to be informed from my point of view.

Edit: this whole post was made without me realizing it was an 09 with the 6 speed. I have no idea what to tell you about the gearing!! but It woudl stand to figure it will still be tall with the 35s

Haha I like the Edit: =) But thank's for taking the time to put all that information, it's very very useful. I had no idea of some of the problems that you mentioned that I might encounter with 35's. I've had a few friends say I should stick with 33's too so I think I'll do that

jimmyboy8301 · February 26, 2010

if you have 3.73s with the 6spd you will be fine witih 35's and thank you on the truck compliment. if you stay with a 5-5.5" backspacing wheel with nothing wider than 9" and you'll clear 35's just fine.

stlavsa · February 26, 2010

if you have 3.73s with the 6spd you will be fine witih 35's and thank you on the truck compliment. if you stay with a 5-5.5" backspacing wheel with nothing wider than 9" and you'll clear 35's just fine.

I think hes right with the 6speed and 3.73s idea but correct me if im wrong the 3.73s are kinda a more rare configuration these days, kinda like finding an 08 with the 4.10s. Chances are you have the 3.23's or 3.27s or something like that

If you do go with a 33 just make sure you go wiht a big wide 33 with some meat. I really like the new Trail Grapplers for example. Mud tire thats good on the road. (ie 33x12.5 or 33 x 13.5) They will still look pretty big on there.