Leveling Kit Or 6" Lift? Ideas On Place To Have Installation Done

jasprath · December 26, 2010

Hello all, I am new to the truck world. I just purchased a black 2008 Silverado 1500 Z71 LT. I have always wanted a truck but my commute was so far, now I have a truck and am ready to customize it. I have looked for days and days comparing leveling kits to lifts. Leveling kits look good but I want a higher stance and beefy tires (33's), so the lift is obviously my first choice! I am not really mechanically inclined so the leveling kit is looking more like the option since it's cheaper to have installed. I would rather have the 6 inch lift or possible 4 inch. Where could I find a good price to purchase a lift and a place or person to install it? Please help me asap, it's killing me to have my dream truck but don't want to spend $2600 on the lift and labor for some big company to install.

jimmyboy8301 · December 26, 2010

i don't know where your from so it's not really practical for me to reccomend a place to get the truck lifted. however my reccomendation is a 6" on 35's. if you want a lifted truck and dont do exactly what you want your ALWAYS going to regret it.

blackout07 · December 26, 2010

if you want a lifted truck and dont do exactly what you want your ALWAYS going to regret it.

This.

jasprath · December 27, 2010

Thank you guys for replying on here, I do agree with you both! I picked up the truck this morning and the service four wheel drive sensor appeared along with cruising 70mph for 127 and the active fuel management only came on while going downhill; therefore, the truck is going in for warranty work tomorrow. Very dissapointed since the truck was perfect and driven by the Chevy dealer general manager. I do want a lift but pricey with the rims and tires. I live in Indianapolis, IN, so any suggestion for lift installion here? We have a 4x4 offroad place. Also, with 35's, won't I have to change the gear ratio?

dirtfan21 · December 27, 2010

My uncle had his lift done at Pro Trux, but that is in Fort Wayne. Wish I could help a fellow Hoosier more, I'm just not sure about businesses down there.

Ryan, a moderator here, is from Avon and he may know of some shops.

brad519 · December 27, 2010

Also, with 35's, won't I have to change the gear ratio?

You don't HAVE to change the gear ratio BUT it will benefit your transmission greatly. Mine drove fine with the stock 3.73 gears but it had Zero Passing Power.

You could always get the 6" lift and run a 33x12.50 tire which looks just fine with a 6" lift. And while that will put a little added stress on the transmission it won't be as bad as the 35's. Then later on if you decided you want to move up to 35's you can always re gear when you get the bigger tires.

I thought I would be ok with a level and 33's. That lasted about a month

I seriously wouldn't mind having 37's now

Google Southern Truck Performance and/or All Terrain Fabrications and call them for lift prices. BDS 6" approximately 1500.00 then consider 700-750 for installation could be more it just depends on the shop.

brad519 · December 27, 2010

Just for comparison...

2008 with 2" level and 275/70/18 BFG's

2008 6" BDS and 305/70/18 Mickey Thompson's

jasprath · December 28, 2010

Dirtfan21-I actually bought the truck from Fort Wayne, guess I should have look around for places up there. The average price everywhere is 1500-1750 for 6" lift and 750 for labor so around 2600 or so.

Brad, you definitely nailed it on the head with your prices and info. The truck is at the service shop today (first day owning the truck) to have the AFM looked at. Drove 127 miles home and never went to V4. Got 15.1 mpg on the way back, not cool. Brad, with your lift and tires, what kind of mpg you pushing?

Also, here is a pic of a truck, I really like these rims but cannot find out what kind they are. Does anyone know? Thank you very much.

brad519 · December 28, 2010

Brad, you definitely nailed it on the head with your prices and info. The truck is at the service shop today (first day owning the truck) to have the AFM looked at. Drove 127 miles home and never went to V4. Got 15.1 mpg on the way back, not cool. Brad, with your lift and tires, what kind of mpg you pushing?

Well it has varied a good bit.

I was running a diablo predator 87 octane tune and I was getting 12.5 city driving. Never did much highway so couldn't give an accurate Highway MPG.

I then ran some 93 octane with the same tune and I was getting like 13.2 city driving.

Now I have the BlackBear Performance Tune and the 1st tank I ran was like 11.5 mpg mostly city. BUT I was pretty heavy on the pedal trying out the new tune. I filled up with E85 last tank so its down to like 10 mpg right now but as we know E85 gets worse mpg. Next tank is going to be 93 and I'm going to TRY to stay out of the pedal and see what she does.

Those figures are with 4.88 Yukons front and rear.

brad519 · December 28, 2010

Those wheels look like Ultra Mako's to me.

blackout07 · December 29, 2010

Dirtfan21-I actually bought the truck from Fort Wayne, guess I should have look around for places up there. The average price everywhere is 1500-1750 for 6" lift and 750 for labor so around 2600 or so.

Brad, you definitely nailed it on the head with your prices and info. The truck is at the service shop today (first day owning the truck) to have the AFM looked at. Drove 127 miles home and never went to V4. Got 15.1 mpg on the way back, not cool. Brad, with your lift and tires, what kind of mpg you pushing?

Also, here is a pic of a truck, I really like these rims but cannot find out what kind they are. Does anyone know? Thank you very much.

Thats a big ol' HD right there. But good god, look at all that frame with that BL on there.

Those wheels look like Ultra Mako's to me.

Indeed they are.

jimmyboy8301 · December 30, 2010

bodylifts look ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE on HD's 99.99999% of the time.

blackout07 · December 30, 2010

The truck looks good to me...just needs to get some steps and gap guards to minimize the ugly.

jasprath · December 30, 2010

Ok everyone, Friday is the day I have to decide. Procomp is running a $400 off lift and rancho is running $500 towards installation. The procomp is 6" and total would cost me 2300 (after the rebate and thats with a fender kit, not the fender flares) and the rancho kit is 4" and total cost would be 2000 and tires would be cheaper for that one. I can't decide what I want. My truck is an extended cab so to me the bed looks super long and I looking at my truck, I think the lift wouldn't look good, however, I love all the trucks on here with lift. Not to many extended cab lifted trucks though. PLEASE SOME ADVICE OR GUIDANCE on which to chose because tomorrow (Friday, Dec. 31) is the last day for both deals and I have to chose! So, don't be shy, advice advice advice!! Thank you guys very much!

blackout07 · December 30, 2010

I have read some negative comments concerning Procomp and the GMT-900 platform, but never a bad word about Rancho. Hell, they will probably sit about the same height anyway. Between those two, I would pick Rancho. IMO it's a better built kit.