Level/body Lift Vs. Suspension Lift?

[cvoorber]

I've been reading a tonne of posts in this forum lately, and wondering what's the best option for my truck. I want it to look a bit bigger, more aggressive. I'd like to level/lift to 3 or 4" and then run 33's... Would rather not break the bank, but have some money to throw at it. Complication: I was going to do a 3" body lift (simple enough) but I have an aftermarket dual exhaust that would need to be modified and I wonder how much of a PITA this would be... What are your opinions?

 

Also, I have garage space and a good assortment of tools. Are these kits easy for the average guy to install?

[Matt_]

4" Rancho or BDS suspension lift...

 

/thread

 

 

Edit: if you're even thinking about a suspension lift... id go that route. Chances are you'll end up with a BL on top of it down the road. If you know for a fact you only want 3-4" and don't want to spend ~$1500, then a leveling+body lift is the way to go.

[herkdriver007]

depends on your budget...Look into the Zone 3.5" kit, which is a 2" level and 1.5 body lift.

 

Some will say though if you're going thru the trouble of a body lift, why not do the full 3" instead of just the 1.5" included in the Zone kit.

 

I have the Rough Country 2" and like it...but wanted more so will be doing the Rancho 4" in the near future...

 

 

edit: as far as the exhaust, I don't know since I have no experience with a body lift on these trucks, but I would assume that any competent muffler shop could bend them back up to where they're supposed to be...

[K1500Tech]

If your on a budget a leveling kit will give you the most bang for the buck.

[NickS]

Cheapest: CCM 2.5 and zone Zone 1.5" BL

 

Suspension: BDS, Rancho, or Readylift SST 4"

 

My opinion if you are paying for suspension lift: Rough Country 5" lift

[yukon25008.1]

the cost of the suspension lifts are ridiculous..the last 7 hd trucks ive had got leveling kits/new keys, if you want a little taller after that do the body lift..

you will spend 300-500 vs 15-1800 and your truck will look the same or better.. and you will also still be able to run your stock wheels if you wanted to

[Matt_]

Cheapest: CCM 2.5 and zone Zone 1.5" BL

 

Suspension: BDS, Rancho, or Readylift SST 4"

 

My opinion if you are paying for suspension lift: Rough Country 5" lift

 

The readylift SST 4" is not even in the same ballpark as the BDS or Rancho. That kit is complete junk... i'd put the RC 3" kit on before that. It's a glorified leveling kit..... imagine the tie-rod and balljoint angles you're going to have with 4" spacers on there! Whoopy they give you a new UCA for the upper balljoint

[blackout07]

4" Rancho or BDS suspension lift...

 

/thread

 

 

Edit: if you're even thinking about a suspension lift... id go that route. Chances are you'll end up with a BL on top of it down the road. If you know for a fact you only want 3-4" and don't want to spend ~$1500, then a leveling+body lift is the way to go.

 

 

[lsuguy]

4" Rancho or BDS suspension lift...

 

/thread

 

 

Edit: if you're even thinking about a suspension lift... id go that route. Chances are you'll end up with a BL on top of it down the road. If you know for a fact you only want 3-4" and don't want to spend ~$1500, then a leveling+body lift is the way to go.

 

 

 

[cvoorber]

4" Rancho or BDS suspension lift...

 

/thread

 

 

Edit: if you're even thinking about a suspension lift... id go that route. Chances are you'll end up with a BL on top of it down the road. If you know for a fact you only want 3-4" and don't want to spend ~$1500, then a leveling+body lift is the way to go.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lol you guys are too funny. I think I've got some good opinions here, and I will have to consider it a little more. I think I'm settled on either the Rancho 4" Susp. or a RC 2" Level and 3" Zone Body lift. Both will achieve basically the same outcome I guess, but price and whatnot have to be considered. Thanks for the help guys! I will be sure to post pics when I decide and get everything installed.

[lsuguy]

l you guys are too funny. I think I've got some good opinions here, and I will have to consider it a little more. I think I'm settled on either the Rancho 4" Susp. or a RC 2" Level and 3" Zone Body lift. Both will achieve basically the same outcome I guess, but price and whatnot have to be considered. Thanks for the help guys! I will be sure to post pics when I decide and get everything installed.

 

I think the Rancho would give you a slightly higher outcome. I'm running the RC 2" and Zone 3" and love it. My next step will more than likely be to add a Rancho 4" on top of that but that's a long time down the road. I really like the Rancho kit. It also would help you decide if you think about the kind of driving you do. If you do any kind of offroading then I def suggest the Rancho kit. If you want it just for looks, then a level and BL will work just fine. Plus you save a few bucks

Goodluck

 

Edit: Also here's some actual measurement numbers to compare the heights on the level and BL setup and the suspension.

 

My numbers freshly installed:

42 front

42.5ish (maybe a little taller) rear

 

JB11 measurements from his Rancho lift with 33x12.5x18 tires:

43 front

44 rear

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...117461&st=0

 

 

So that proves that you do get a slightly taller truck with the Rancho kit.

[jarettg]

right now i have the 2" front leveling kit, and i replaced the rear factory blocks with the 3" readlift blocks, giving a 1.75" rake.

 

in the pictures i have seen with a front leveling kit and a 3" BL, it looks like there is some decent rake.

 

is the BL going to give more lift to the rear than to the front? i already have 1.75" of rake, and i dont think anymore would look that good.

 

i would only go with the 3" BL if it lifted the truck the same in front and in the rear.

 

i am wondering if anyone has knowledge on this. zone said that it will lift everything 3", but by the pictures i am not convinced.

 

thanks!

[deepstuff]

Have you installed anything yet? Any before and after pics?

 

I'm thinking of the same setup. A 2 or 2.5" leveling with either a 3 or 1.5" BL. I'm thinking a 1.5" BL may not be worth it?

 

My understanding is that the Leveling kit gets rid of or reduces the stock 2.5" rake. The Body lift will lift it the same front and back but it will maintain your stock rake without a leveling kit also installed.