Need Help With A Lift Idea.....

noupf · April 12, 2011

Ok, so I have read a ton of posts on doing lifts and I am still slightly confused as to what the out come will be if I do the following......any clarifiaction would be great.

1) I want to lift my 2010 ext cab silverado 1500 with factory 20" wheels

2) I would like a slight lift. Probably the 2"/3" range

3) I have seen the RC 2" strut spacer lifts and was looking at 3" blocks for the back. I know the stock blocks are about 1.25", so i would really gain about 1.75 in the back.....right? I also read that the 2" strut spacer really gives you a little more than 2" lift due to geometric changes to the suspension or soemthing....correct?

4) My question is, with this set up, what sort of rake will the truck have? Less than stock, stock or more than stock? I dont mind the stock rake and I do tow occasionly (a 6x12 enclosed motorcycle trailer ) and carry loads of a 200-250 pounds a coulpe days a week. So i dont want the rear end sagging down below the front. I'd like to lift the front and back equally to be honest and kep the stock rake.

5) Final question, will this set up ( or anything close to it ) do anything to hurt the suspension or require other modifications to the steering, shocks, struts and so on?

Thanks for the help guys !

Stevens03 · April 12, 2011

Everything can be answered right here

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...=130009&hl=

noupf · April 12, 2011

Everything can be answered right here

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...=130009&hl=

I saw that thread and for some reason couldnt grasp the concepts between the various posts. I guess I would end up with a net .25" less rake if I do the 2" rc and the 3" block. Correct?

Also, whats the deal with tappered blocks or non-tapperd? Whats the pro's and cons ?

My question still stands about issues of added stress on suspension, steering and so on.......

Thanks for the quick reply btw !!

NickS · April 12, 2011

Tapered blocks help keep the driveline angles right I believe. If you get blocks, I would get tapered ones. I have a 2.5" leveling kit and a 3" block. I have about a 1" rake. So, with a 2" leveling kit and a 3" block, you would have close to 1.5" of rake. All trucks are different, but you should be looking at something in that range.

The rake from the factory is 2"-2.5", so you wouldn't have as bad as one from the factory, but you would still have some. If you want about an inch or so like mine, go with a 2.5" levelin kit up front and a 3" block in rear, or a 2" kit up front and a 2.5" block in rear. You can get blocks in almost any size. I will say, that if you go 3" or so in the rear, you will probably need longer shocks as well like I did.

stlavsa · April 12, 2011

Advice here has been pretty spot on.

Regarding the 2" spacer giving more than 2"s... well yes thats true, BUT the 2" spacers arent really two inches, they are less than two inches, but are called 2" leveling spacers because in the end they will net 2" of lift.

In order to play it safe, I would recommend going with no more than 2" of net lift in the front with just a spacer.. Some people run more (2.5, maybe 3?) but the angles of your axles get a little extreme. I am not certain that will do any damage, but it makes sense that it will wear your cv joints and ball joints faster, and we have read some threads about people replacing ball joins prematurely and they have had 2+" level kits.

stlavsa · April 12, 2011

Instead of a lift block in the back, since you do some towing, I think you would be better off with the add-a-leaf in the back. Its not much $ and will net you the extra lift in the rear that you are looking for, AND it will help a lil bit with the sagging while the bed is loaded or ur 6x12 is on there..

Someone might tell you that its going to ride rough, but i have add-a-leaf and i didnt notice it.

noupf · April 13, 2011

Instead of a lift block in the back, since you do some towing, I think you would be better off with the add-a-leaf in the back. Its not much $ and will net you the extra lift in the rear that you are looking for, AND it will help a lil bit with the sagging while the bed is loaded or ur 6x12 is on there..

Someone might tell you that its going to ride rough, but i have add-a-leaf and i didnt notice it.

The add a leaf sounds like a good idea. I wouldnt mind stiffening up the rear suspension to get the rear lifted.....and then do the front 2" spacer as well. I'm pretty good mechanicly, but i've never played with leaf springs before. Are they hard to isntall? Whats involved.

Thanks !

stlavsa · April 13, 2011

Instead of a lift block in the back, since you do some towing, I think you would be better off with the add-a-leaf in the back. Its not much $ and will net you the extra lift in the rear that you are looking for, AND it will help a lil bit with the sagging while the bed is loaded or ur 6x12 is on there..

Someone might tell you that its going to ride rough, but i have add-a-leaf and i didnt notice it.

The add a leaf sounds like a good idea. I wouldnt mind stiffening up the rear suspension to get the rear lifted.....and then do the front 2" spacer as well. I'm pretty good mechanicly, but i've never played with leaf springs before. Are they hard to isntall? Whats involved.

Thanks !

http://www.ehow.com/how_6662677_instructio...-silverado.html

Since you were already planning on doing the block, its pretty close to the same amount of work.