Suspension Lift "need Some Help"

[asvinci]

I recently purchased a 2011 Silevardo 1500 and absolutely love it. I was thinking about lifting the truck with a 6 inch BDS lift and adding 35x12.50R18 tires. However I am concerned with a few things will I loose the factory ride, will I loose alot of gas mileage, and what will I need to do after the lift such as speedometer calibration, headlight alignment, and possibly regearing ? I really want to complete the setup but need some advice on if it is worth doing all the mods to my truck. I would appreciate some feedback from other members who have the same setup on there truck.

 

Thanks

[beave84]

I recently purchased a 2011 Silevardo 1500 and absolutely love it. I was thinking about lifting the truck with a 6 inch BDS lift and adding 35x12.50R18 tires. However I am concerned with a few things will I loose the factory ride, will I loose alot of gas mileage, and what will I need to do after the lift such as speedometer calibration, headlight alignment, and possibly regearing ? I really want to complete the setup but need some advice on if it is worth doing all the mods to my truck. I would appreciate some feedback from other members who have the same setup on there truck.

 

Thanks

 

 

I have the same set up just used a pro comp lift. The speedo will be off. I'm waiting to add my gears till I get my tune, but they are not truly needed. I have a 3.42 rear now you'll notice a drop in performance from these gears.It still moves though. The tune will help the shifting alot in the 6 speed from what I'm gathering so I'm tring it first before gears.Where are you from, click on the Black Bear add on the right side of screen and see if justin is going to be near you. This tune will correct your speedo too.

[brad519]

I recently purchased a 2011 Silevardo 1500 and absolutely love it. I was thinking about lifting the truck with a 6 inch BDS lift and adding 35x12.50R18 tires. However I am concerned with a few things will I loose the factory ride, will I loose alot of gas mileage, and what will I need to do after the lift such as speedometer calibration, headlight alignment, and possibly regearing ? I really want to complete the setup but need some advice on if it is worth doing all the mods to my truck. I would appreciate some feedback from other members who have the same setup on there truck.

 

Thanks

I honestly don't notice much of a difference in the ride other the rear is a little stiffer since I went with blocks and add a leaf. But it still rides fine to me.

I have 5.3 with 4 speed tranny and switched to 4.88 gears. I don't remember what I was getting before the lift and tires but I think it was around 16 mpg. I've been getting 12mpg running a Black Bear Performance Tune but just recently got an 87 octane tune to see what kind of mileage I get.

I was blinding folks big time at stop lights so I just pulled it under the garage and adjusted the headlamps down a little bit and it seems fine now.

 

Like I said in your other post the gear swap really depends on what set up you have now. Which engine do you have and which transmission?

 

I love my setup. And the only thing I would have done different is to have gotten a positive offset wheel to minimize the rubbing.

[asvinci]

I recently purchased a 2011 Silevardo 1500 and absolutely love it. I was thinking about lifting the truck with a 6 inch BDS lift and adding 35x12.50R18 tires. However I am concerned with a few things will I loose the factory ride, will I loose alot of gas mileage, and what will I need to do after the lift such as speedometer calibration, headlight alignment, and possibly regearing ? I really want to complete the setup but need some advice on if it is worth doing all the mods to my truck. I would appreciate some feedback from other members who have the same setup on there truck.

 

Thanks

 

 

I have the same set up just used a pro comp lift. The speedo will be off. I'm waiting to add my gears till I get my tune, but they are not truly needed. I have a 3.42 rear now you'll notice a drop in performance from these gears.It still moves though. The tune will help the shifting alot in the 6 speed from what I'm gathering so I'm tring it first before gears.Where are you from, click on the Black Bear add on the right side of screen and see if justin is going to be near you. This tune will correct your speedo too.

 

[asvinci]

I recently purchased a 2011 Silevardo 1500 and absolutely love it. I was thinking about lifting the truck with a 6 inch BDS lift and adding 35x12.50R18 tires. However I am concerned with a few things will I loose the factory ride, will I loose alot of gas mileage, and what will I need to do after the lift such as speedometer calibration, headlight alignment, and possibly regearing ? I really want to complete the setup but need some advice on if it is worth doing all the mods to my truck. I would appreciate some feedback from other members who have the same setup on there truck.

 

Thanks

 

 

I have the same set up just used a pro comp lift. The speedo will be off. I'm waiting to add my gears till I get my tune, but they are not truly needed. I have a 3.42 rear now you'll notice a drop in performance from these gears.It still moves though. The tune will help the shifting alot in the 6 speed from what I'm gathering so I'm tring it first before gears.Where are you from, click on the Black Bear add on the right side of screen and see if justin is going to be near you. This tune will correct your speedo too.

 

[asvinci]

I recently purchased a 2011 Silevardo 1500 and absolutely love it. I was thinking about lifting the truck with a 6 inch BDS lift and adding 35x12.50R18 tires. However I am concerned with a few things will I loose the factory ride, will I loose alot of gas mileage, and what will I need to do after the lift such as speedometer calibration, headlight alignment, and possibly regearing ? I really want to complete the setup but need some advice on if it is worth doing all the mods to my truck. I would appreciate some feedback from other members who have the same setup on there truck.

 

Thanks

 

 

I have the same set up just used a pro comp lift. The speedo will be off. I'm waiting to add my gears till I get my tune, but they are not truly needed. I have a 3.42 rear now you'll notice a drop in performance from these gears.It still moves though. The tune will help the shifting alot in the 6 speed from what I'm gathering so I'm tring it first before gears.Where are you from, click on the Black Bear add on the right side of screen and see if justin is going to be near you. This tune will correct your speedo too.

 

 

[asvinci]

I recently purchased a 2011 Silevardo 1500 and absolutely love it. I was thinking about lifting the truck with a 6 inch BDS lift and adding 35x12.50R18 tires. However I am concerned with a few things will I loose the factory ride, will I loose alot of gas mileage, and what will I need to do after the lift such as speedometer calibration, headlight alignment, and possibly regearing ? I really want to complete the setup but need some advice on if it is worth doing all the mods to my truck. I would appreciate some feedback from other members who have the same setup on there truck.

 

Thanks

 

 

I have the same set up just used a pro comp lift. The speedo will be off. I'm waiting to add my gears till I get my tune, but they are not truly needed. I have a 3.42 rear now you'll notice a drop in performance from these gears.It still moves though. The tune will help the shifting alot in the 6 speed from what I'm gathering so I'm tring it first before gears.Where are you from, click on the Black Bear add on the right side of screen and see if justin is going to be near you. This tune will correct your speedo too.

 

[stlavsa]

I recently purchased a 2011 Silevardo 1500 and absolutely love it. I was thinking about lifting the truck with a 6 inch BDS lift and adding 35x12.50R18 tires. However I am concerned with a few things will I loose the factory ride, will I loose alot of gas mileage, and what will I need to do after the lift such as speedometer calibration, headlight alignment, and possibly regearing ? I really want to complete the setup but need some advice on if it is worth doing all the mods to my truck. I would appreciate some feedback from other members who have the same setup on there truck.

 

Thanks

 

 

I have the same set up just used a pro comp lift. The speedo will be off. I'm waiting to add my gears till I get my tune, but they are not truly needed. I have a 3.42 rear now you'll notice a drop in performance from these gears.It still moves though. The tune will help the shifting alot in the 6 speed from what I'm gathering so I'm tring it first before gears.Where are you from, click on the Black Bear add on the right side of screen and see if justin is going to be near you. This tune will correct your speedo too.

 

 

 

whoa dude whats goin on with the posts?

 

you will lose mileage and you will lose some ride quality, (mainly from running the big, heavy, E load range tires.. Speedometer will be off by a good bit, needs a recalibration, (can get it done with a tune). It will probably void a lot of your powertrain warranty, ANDDDD if u do it you should definitely do 20s not 18s.

[88K5]

here's a calculator for speedo.

 

http://www.4lo.com/calc/gearspeedo.htm

 

one for tire conversion

 

http://www.dakota-truck.net/TIRECALC/tirecalc.html

 

and stick with 18's. cheaper and looks better imo.

[Matthias]

All I can say is go for it....tell you what, I was concerned about lifting my truck too, especially because it´s an AWD Denali, but finaly I made my decision and now I love it. Rides like a dream...

[stlavsa]

here's a calculator for speedo.

 

http://www.4lo.com/calc/gearspeedo.htm

 

one for tire conversion

 

http://www.dakota-truck.net/TIRECALC/tirecalc.html

 

and stick with 18's. cheaper and looks better imo.

 

 

You will find a majority of folks will prefer the 20's on the newer trucks.. mainly because the 20" is a factory size these days.... Not trying to detract from your ride or your taste,(its a beautiful truck just not my style) but i just recommended the 20s to represent the popular opinion...

 

But yes by all means customize it to your liking, but a lot of people do it to save a couple hundred bucks but then your stuck with the little wheels and a year down the road you have forgot about that $500 bucks u saved and all the other trucks have 20's and u dont. Hell even all of the brand new chevys/sierras i see for sale at the dealerships with 6" lifts run 20" tires. Its just the way she goes..

[asvinci]

Thanks for the help guys I really appreciate it. I was at the shop today, and finally got a quote for the lift and tires. The owner stated that the 35x12.50R18 will rub like crazy with the 6 inch BDS Lift. He stated that the 33x12.50 would be a better fit, and put less strain on the vehicle. I was a little bummed when he told me that but when he showed me the price difference I really couldn't complain....lol. You guys rock and your trucks look badass, hopefully I will post my new pics in a few weeks. PS sorry for messing up the blog Im still trying to figure out how to use the forums.

 

Thanks

Anthony

[asvinci]

I recently purchased a 2011 Silevardo 1500 and absolutely love it. I was thinking about lifting the truck with a 6 inch BDS lift and adding 35x12.50R18 tires. However I am concerned with a few things will I loose the factory ride, will I loose alot of gas mileage, and what will I need to do after the lift such as speedometer calibration, headlight alignment, and possibly regearing ? I really want to complete the setup but need some advice on if it is worth doing all the mods to my truck. I would appreciate some feedback from other members who have the same setup on there truck.

 

Thanks

I honestly don't notice much of a difference in the ride other the rear is a little stiffer since I went with blocks and add a leaf. But it still rides fine to me.

I have 5.3 with 4 speed tranny and switched to 4.88 gears. I don't remember what I was getting before the lift and tires but I think it was around 16 mpg. I've been getting 12mpg running a Black Bear Performance Tune but just recently got an 87 octane tune to see what kind of mileage I get.

I was blinding folks big time at stop lights so I just pulled it under the garage and adjusted the headlamps down a little bit and it seems fine now.

 

Like I said in your other post the gear swap really depends on what set up you have now. Which engine do you have and which transmission?

 

I love my setup. And the only thing I would have done different is to have gotten a positive offset wheel to minimize the rubbing.

 

 

[brad519]

Thanks for the help guys I really appreciate it. I was at the shop today, and finally got a quote for the lift and tires. The owner stated that the 35x12.50R18 will rub like crazy with the 6 inch BDS Lift. He stated that the 33x12.50 would be a better fit, and put less strain on the vehicle. I was a little bummed when he told me that but when he showed me the price difference I really couldn't complain....lol. You guys rock and your trucks look badass, hopefully I will post my new pics in a few weeks. PS sorry for messing up the blog Im still trying to figure out how to use the forums.

 

Thanks

Anthony

 

The 35x12.5x18 will rub like crazy with the 6" BDS until you trim some plastic but if you use a positive offset wheel with 5.5 or 5.7 backspace you won't have much rubbing. Plastic WILL have to be trimmed but I don't think anyone has had to trim metal using a positive offset (not positive though)

 

The 33x12.5x18 with a 6" BDS looks damn good also. Just make sure you get an actual 12.5 wide tire. And you won't need to mess with swapping the gears. The good news is if you go ahead with the 6" and run the 33's now...you can alway jump up to the 35's later and you already have the lift.

[asvinci]

I plan on running true 33x12.50 tires, not sure if I should go with the 18's or 20's. But after looking at your guys trucks the 20's look pretty sick. Besides my previous vehicle was a hummer H3 with a leveling kit and 35 inch tires and it bugged the hell out of me every time I would turn and hear the sounds of my tires rubbing. But in the long run I think your right brad I am going to stick with the 33's for now and just suck it up.....haha.

 

Thanks

Anthony