3" Body Lift - Help Thread

[NWI_#73]

I have a 2008 Silverado extended cab, z71 in dark blue. It had stock z71 wheels and has a leveling kit (not sure of brand since it was on there when I bought it). I want to do a zone 3" body lift and sometime soon, mickey thompson ATZ's....not sure if they will look good on my stock z71 wheels or if I should get aftermarket wheels. This is where I need your guys help. I have looked around the net at a lot of different setups also.

 

Any helpful pictures would be of great assistance in helping me make up my mind with the tires.

 

But the real purpose of this thread is to compile a list of tools needed and/or tips when installing the 3" body lift.

 

A friend of mine said we could potentially use his buddies truck lift to help but I know all of the instructions spell out how to do it using jacks and doing one small part at a time.

 

Thanks for the help fellas.

 

Pic of my truck soon.

[Matt_]

ive installed them both while using truck lifts and just floor jacks. ... honestly i think its easier to install with floor jacks.

 

i do raise the trucks on 4 (3ton each) jack stands and take all the wheels off though.

[NWI_#73]

Per the instructions, it shows cutting some metal. What do I need to do the cutting? What else out of the ordinary do I need besides sockets and torque wrench?

[Matt_]

a sawzaw and a cutoff wheel come in very handy. a good drill and drill bits.... and knowledge on how to properly drill metal goes a long way (keep bit cool and lubed, dont go fast or you'l burn the bit, slow and steady so that you can see the metal getting cut away in strips/chunks)

 

you'll need extensions for the bolts under the bed.

 

remember that when using an extension the torque applied is less... i usually add about 10 ft-lb to the torque wrench when using a long extension the get to a bolt through the frame.

 

when you apply loctite, threads should be clean and dry.

 

when using a torque wrench you want to hit the proper torque while the bolt is MOVING. if you target 70 ft-lb and tighten the bolt to 60 ft-lb, you wont be able to rotate the bolt anymore since static friction will give you a 70 ft-lb reading on the torque wrench even though its only tightened to 60.

[Georgebaumann]

it's not hard to do. it's very tedious because of all the steps all you need is basic tools but air tools is definantly a lot easier. A standard jack worked great with an 4x4 post to raise the bed and cab. You might need to cut a peice of the frame for the front bumper bracket. Just read the directions a few times before hand so you know what your doing. i have some pics of my truck when i was doing the lift in my albums. I mean im only 18 and did it fine.

[JRLZ71]

Here is the link to my setup...

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...p;#entry1058521

[NWI_#73]

I don't have a sawzal but I have a drill. Could I get a cutoff wheel and do all my cutting with that? How extensive is the cutting? Would a torque wrench that goes from 50-150 ft-lb suffice?

[Georgebaumann]

i dont know how similar it is to my lift but when i did it, it was nothing it takes less than 10mins to do and u can't really screw anything up.

[Matt_]

I don't have a sawzal but I have a drill. Could I get a cutoff wheel and do all my cutting with that? How extensive is the cutting? Would a torque wrench that goes from 50-150 ft-lb suffice?

 

Spend $60 to $100 of an electric powered reciprocating saw... it'll be money well spent and they come in very handy for household chores as well. (a cheap Ryobi is about $60.. but id get the Rigid R300 for $90)

[NWI_#73]

Looks like the only cutting is a part of the frame for the rear bumper? And it looks like the cut doesn't have to be "precise"...since it's just chopping some off to accomodate the new relocation brackets...right?

[oldschool327]

Yes, and also if you use the better PA instructions for the spare tire winch tube you will need it for that also instead of drilling new holes through the bumper.

[NWI_#73]

Alright cool. My buddy said he has a sawzaw he will let me borrow. I should be good to go now My fiance said she would buy the body lift for me and would help pay for new BFG's

 

Now the debate is BFG AT KO 275/70R18 or 285/65R18? The 275 I can get 4 mounted/balanced for $800. In the 285, I can get 4 mounted/balanced for $1080.

[NWI_#73]

Which tires would look better on stock z71 wheels? Any reference pictures?

[FarmerDave]

285 for sure!!! skinny tires for the loss.

[NWI_#73]

Haha. The 2 sizes are so close in size. The 275 would give me a 1/2" more in height roughly and the 285 would give me 1/2" more in width roughly. So the tradeoff debate begins! Also the taller 275 is a lot cheaper. $280 more for the 285 (total price OTD).