3" Lift With A Level Kit

kshoblom · May 10, 2011

Hey, looking for lift advise. I got a 2009 CC 4x4 1500. I just put a ProComp 2.25 level kit on the front and a ProComp AAL on the rear bringing the rear back up to just taller that the front. Running 265/65/R18 on OEM wheels I brought the front up from 36.5 at the fender to 38.5 and the rear came up from 38.5 to 40. I'm looking to put 33's or close to it eventually, but would like to lift the truck a bit more. I know Zone makes a 1.5 BL but if I went with the Skyjacker 3-3.5 lift, could I still keep the ProComp level kit in place to make it a true 4-5 lift? I was also looking at the Rancho 4", but everyone seems to get closer to 6" out of it which is a bit too much for what I'm looking at. Anyone with an opinion? Thanks!

condition1kimber · May 10, 2011

You can't have two leveling kits like that. You'll be begging for a heartbreak. Sorry, but there really isn't a cheap way to get 4" of suspension lift. Adding a body lift is your best bet. General consensus is that 2.5" of leveling is the healthy max. Suspension travel, ride quality, ball joints and CVs will pay the price if you get too greedy with leveling kits.

kshoblom · May 10, 2011

You can't have two leveling kits like that. You'll be begging for a heartbreak. Sorry, but there really isn't a cheap way to get 4" of suspension lift. Adding a body lift is your best bet. General consensus is that 2.5" of leveling is the healthy max. Suspension travel, ride quality, ball joints and CVs will pay the price if you get too greedy with leveling kits.

Does that take into consideration that the Skyjacker 3" lift realligns the CV/Knuckles/Etc maintaining the factory angles?

condition1kimber · May 10, 2011

I'm sorry bro, I wasn't familiar with that kit. I made the incorrect assumption that it was another leveling kit like the Rough Country 3". In that case, I really don't know. I was just repeating what I have been reading on all the forums about stacking leveling kits.

That will teach me to speak out of turn.

travishale84 · May 10, 2011

so i just looked at the $1650 3" lift you are talking about. i have a question... why dont you sell the leveling kit for around $100 or so, and buy the 6" lift for roughly the same price of the 3"? just curious.

so to me the 3" lift looks like you would be able to use a leveling kit and make it a 5" lift, however if you look at the pic on skyjacker.com the 3" lift already looks level. although you do have AAL's so you might be good. i am just cringing for you to spend that kind of money on a 3" lift.

I know when and if i get the money for a lift, im going to do a zone 4.5" lift for $1200.

Big Whiskey · May 10, 2011

so i just looked at the $1650 3" lift you are talking about. i have a question... why dont you sell the leveling kit for around $100 or so, and buy the 6" lift for roughly the same price of the 3"? just curious.

so to me the 3" lift looks like you would be able to use a leveling kit and make it a 5" lift, however if you look at the pic on skyjacker.com the 3" lift already looks level. although you do have AAL's so you might be good. i am just cringing for you to spend that kind of money on a 3" lift.

I know when and if i get the money for a lift, im going to do a zone 4.5" lift for $1200.

I agree. If you're thinking about spending that much money on a 3" lift kit, then just sell the leveling kit and install a true 4"-5" suspension lift. The level kit & body lift combo is a great way to get 4" to 5" of lift on a budget. But, if you can afford it, go for the suspension lift. That 3" kit is about the same price as a 6" lift.

kshoblom · May 10, 2011

I appreciate the advice, but a 6 is just too tall for the wife. I was actually thinking of selling the level kit I have for a 1" level kit so I'd end up with an even 4" lift and keeping the add a leaf on the rear which would leave the back about a half inch taller than the front. I just didn't want to order the 3" kit if I couldn't SAFELY put the level kit on top. All the 4" lifts I've researched seemed to gain about 6" of lift. Thanks for all the replies, I'm still learning as this is my first truck.

Big Whiskey · May 10, 2011

I appreciate the advice, but a 6 is just too tall for the wife. I was actually thinking of selling the level kit I have for a 1" level kit so I'd end up with an even 4" lift and keeping the add a leaf on the rear which would leave the back about a half inch taller than the front. I just didn't want to order the 3" kit if I couldn't SAFELY put the level kit on top. All the 4" lifts I've researched seemed to gain about 6" of lift. Thanks for all the replies, I'm still learning as this is my first truck.

So a 5" lift is ok, but 6" is too much? I guess I don't understand that logic, as 1" doesn't seem like much difference to me. I could see if you only wanted 2-3 inches...then a full 6" would be too much...but I really don't see much difference between 5" & 6". But, if that's the case, then I would just throw a 3" body lift on there and call it a day.

Anyway, good luck with whatever you decide to do...and welcome to the addicting world of truck modifications.

blackout07 · May 10, 2011

So a 5" lift is ok, but 6" is too much? I guess I don't understand that logic, as 1" doesn't seem like much difference to me. I could see if you only wanted 2-3 inches...then a full 6" would be too much...but I really don't see much difference between 5" & 6". But, if that's the case, then I would just throw a 3" body lift on there and call it a day.

Anyway, good luck with whatever you decide to do...and welcome to the addicting world of truck modifications.

Don't waste your time or money on a 3" suspension, when you just want to stack a 2" leveling kit on top of it. Go with Rancho, Zone, or BDS, or keep what you have and add a 3" body lift.

kshoblom · May 11, 2011

I appreciate the advice, but a 6 is just too tall for the wife. I was actually thinking of selling the level kit I have for a 1" level kit so I'd end up with an even 4" lift and keeping the add a leaf on the rear which would leave the back about a half inch taller than the front. I just didn't want to order the 3" kit if I couldn't SAFELY put the level kit on top. All the 4" lifts I've researched seemed to gain about 6" of lift. Thanks for all the replies, I'm still learning as this is my first truck.

So a 5" lift is ok, but 6" is too much? I guess I don't understand that logic, as 1" doesn't seem like much difference to me. I could see if you only wanted 2-3 inches...then a full 6" would be too much...but I really don't see much difference between 5" & 6". But, if that's the case, then I would just throw a 3" body lift on there and call it a day.

Anyway, good luck with whatever you decide to do...and welcome to the addicting world of truck modifications.

I'm trying to top out at 4 to avoid trimming with 33's. May actually stick with the 3", but like the option of adding an inch depending on how 3 looks.

travishale84 · May 11, 2011

i would like to have your money for a day. 1600+ on 3"

NickS · May 11, 2011

A leveling kit and body lift will easily fit 33's. I'm with everyone else on here, either throw a body lift on there, or get a quality "practical" suspension lift. And in my opinion, a $1600 3" suspension lift is not practical. You already have a 2.25" lift, why not just throw a 1.5" zone BL for $200, or even the RC 1.25" BL for like $150 and call it a day. That would be close to the setup you are looking for for 1/8th the cost. That is practical. I'm running 4" of lift with 33's with no problems all for close to $450.

A lot of 33" tires will fit with no trimming and just a leveling kit.

kshoblom · May 11, 2011

A leveling kit and body lift will easily fit 33's. I'm with everyone else on here, either throw a body lift on there, or get a quality "practical" suspension lift. And in my opinion, a $1600 3" suspension lift is not practical. You already have a 2.25" lift, why not just throw a 1.5" zone BL for $200, or even the RC 1.25" BL for like $150 and call it a day. That would be close to the setup you are looking for for 1/8th the cost. That is practical. I'm running 4" of lift with 33's with no problems all for close to $450.

A lot of 33" tires will fit with no trimming and just a leveling kit.

Sounds like the zone bl is what I'll look into doing. Trying to do things the "right" way, but I'm all for saving money if there's no benefits to spending more on the kit! Any issues with relocating the bumpers? I assume the tow hitch remains in same place? Thanks for all the help!

NickS · May 11, 2011

There wasn't any problem, just time consuming because you have to "modify" your factory brackets. Honestly, if that .25" isn't that much of a concern (which it shouldn't), I'd just go with the cheaper rough country 1.25" BL because it comes with new brackets to re-locate it. I didn't, because I had already bought the zone before the RC came out. It just looks easier to install from the instructions. I haven't installed the RC one, but I did my zone myself. And yes, the receiver hitch stays the same.