New Member

[blackknight1993]

What up guys im new here and this is my first post i saw alot of good stuff on here and had many question so i signed up. i just bought a 1996 chevy silverado k1500 and im looking at putting a lift on it after reading some posts on here i understand it is best to go with the 6 inch lift over the 4 inch im trying to fit 35 inch tires but would like a tight clean fit. my main concerns are about the brand and the mileage on the truck . what are some good lifts that will last and will stand up to regular mild offroading for the price im only 17. the local 4x4 shop recommends BDS? My other concern is that the there are about 155k miles on the truck what kind of problems might i have after putting the lift on since im told it speeds up parts breaking and so on.

[brad519]

BDS is definitely a good choice. Most on here like BDS and Fabtech but there are several others. BDS offers a lifetime warranty.

Some of the other guys who are mechanically inclined should be able to offer answers on the other questions.

 

If you do go with the BDS shop around you can get the lift cheaper than what BDS sells them for.

Good luck I would have loved running 35's when I was 17

[blackknight1993]

the local shop prices the 6 inch bds at 2200 is this a good price

[brad519]

I paid 1600 for mine with the gas shocks and stainless brake lines.

I have an 08 so I think the parts are different.

I will post two places that sell them cheaper but I'm not at my computer right now

So I don't have the info but I will post them asap.

 

How much are they charging for install or are you doing it yourself?

[stlavsa]

definately 6" and 35's. No other way to go with these 1500s.. the first thing that comes to mind when talking about wear is your ball joints and transmission.

 

If its an auto-tranny and it hasn't been replaced yet i would imagin its gonna let go after you do the big tires. The other thing is ball joints and tie rod end bushings and steering components. They are all relatively cheap. I would freshen up those parts and address the tranny issue and your golden for a while.

[blackknight1993]

they want 500 to 750 they gave me two different price when i went to see them for some reason but i might be able to have someone help me install it. is their price right

[stlavsa]

definately 6" and 35's. No other way to go with these 1500s.. the first thing that comes to mind when talking about wear is your ball joints and transmission.

 

If its an auto-tranny and it hasn't been replaced yet i would imagin its gonna let go after you do the big tires. The other thing is ball joints and tie rod end bushings and steering components. They are all relatively cheap. I would freshen up those parts and address the tranny issue and your golden for a while.

 

 

 

oh and 2200 is a good price.. INSTALLED. the kit should be less but if ur paying 500-600 for an install its reasonable. Ive heard of some dudes payin 1000.00 to get it put on and thats a rip thats when its time to just do it yourself.

[blackknight1993]

the last quote i got from them was 2700 installed

 

 

and the tranny is original and automatic

[brad519]

Ok the two places that I know of that give great deals on BDS are Southern Truck Performance (479)629-4407 and All Terrain Fabrications 972 509 2167. Those two shops are in Arkansas and Texas.

Like I said earlier I got my 6" BDS with gas shocks and braided brake lines for 1600.00 shipped from Texas to Mississippi.

 

The shop you're talking to might charge more for install if you buy the lift elsewhere but maybe not.

I would contact the two shops I gave and check their prices. I got mine from All Terrain but I've heard good stuff from Southern Truck also. If their price is lower with shipping then check with your shop and see how much to install if you bring the lift. But everyone suggests installing yourself if you are able and/or have a mechanic friend. (I'm not so I had to pay for my install) I paid 750 for install.

 

Which engine does your truck have? And what size gears? That is another cost you might have to consider but maybe not depending on what you have now.

[blackknight1993]

350 ci engine and im not sure about the gears but they are stock

[brad519]

Hopefully some of the "mechanical" guys will chime in later and give you better advice.

Cause I have no idea what size gears came in 96's.

 

I wish I knew more about this stuff to give you some good advice

I'm sure someone will offer you some opinions tomorrow.

But check those two shops for prices cause they are cheaper than others and cheaper than what the BDS site sells lifts.

[blackknight1993]

will do ill give them a call tomorrow thanks for all the help

[stlavsa]

it comes to the point where you think how much is a 96 silverado worth, and is it worth dumping almost 3000.00 into it. it would be more reasonable if you were to pay 1600 and do it yourself.

[KMGZ400]

the last quote i got from them was 2700 installed

 

 

and the tranny is original and automatic

 

oh god...i would be carefull with your tranny... with 155k on the original?

[blackknight1993]

realistically how many more miles will the tranny hold up under the extra strain