One Week To Wait. Countdown Begins

blackout07 · July 19, 2011

Fabtech is typically the tallest of the bunch and I can't see any reason why yours would be any different (A spacer is a spacer). 4.5" BS is way too little for these trucks. However, you should be able to trim to make room for the tires. Don't worry too much man. Go up there and drive it and see for yourself. It may only be minor rubbing that you can solve by removing the front air dam and/or doing some cutting.

Stevens03 · July 19, 2011

Second the backspacing issue. On a GMT-800, 4.5" of backspacing is good,.. but on the GMT-900's... you need at least 5.5"

Sounds like you may need a different wheel.

redkaz04 · July 19, 2011

Second the backspacing issue. On a GMT-800, 4.5" of backspacing is good,.. but on the GMT-900's... you need at least 5.5"

Sounds like you may need a different wheel.

I talked to Fabtech and their recommended wheel backspace for that lift is 4.5-5.0 inches. The tech at Fabtech said that 5.71 (the other size bs in that XD wheel) would rub the upper control arm and not be useable at all.

4wheelonline also recommended the 4.5" backspace for my application.

SO, I drive the hour to see the truck. It is wayy to close to the fender for making any kind of turn. We talked about adding a body lift, but I really do not like that idea, and they didn't really either. So I guess she is going under the knife first thing in the morning. I dunno what else to do. The wheels have been mounted and they can not be returned. Live and learn??? Other than the giant rubbing issue, it looks great. The guys at the shop are solid, I talked at length with the main mechanic and he said every truck comes out different when he lifts them. He said he has trimmed chevy nbs before, but mine is close to the worst he has seen. He said if it was his truck he would trim and move on, so I guess that's what I am going to do.

redkaz04 · July 19, 2011

Fabtech is typically the tallest of the bunch and I can't see any reason why yours would be any different (A spacer is a spacer). 4.5" BS is way too little for these trucks. However, you should be able to trim to make room for the tires. Don't worry too much man. Go up there and drive it and see for yourself. It may only be minor rubbing that you can solve by removing the front air dam and/or doing some cutting.

yeah that is why I chose it. I didn't want to have to worry about this stupid issue. Bah. whatever. It is done now, hopefully all will be good tomorrow evening.

Stevens03 · July 19, 2011

I talked to Fabtech and their recommended wheel backspace for that lift is 4.5-5.0 inches. The tech at Fabtech said that 5.71 (the other size bs in that XD wheel) would rub the upper control arm and not be useable at all.

4wheelonline also recommended the 4.5" backspace for my application.

SO, I drive the hour to see the truck. It is wayy to close to the fender for making any kind of turn. We talked about adding a body lift, but I really do not like that idea, and they didn't really either. So I guess she is going under the knife first thing in the morning. I dunno what else to do. The wheels have been mounted and they can not be returned. Live and learn??? Other than the giant rubbing issue, it looks great. The guys at the shop are solid, I talked at length with the main mechanic and he said every truck comes out different when he lifts them. He said he has trimmed chevy nbs before, but mine is close to the worst he has seen. He said if it was his truck he would trim and move on, so I guess that's what I am going to do.

Have you called Fabtech to see what the problem could be then? You've done what you should have, so... it's in the installers and Fabtechs hands I guess.

redkaz04 · July 20, 2011

I talked to Fabtech and their recommended wheel backspace for that lift is 4.5-5.0 inches. The tech at Fabtech said that 5.71 (the other size bs in that XD wheel) would rub the upper control arm and not be useable at all.

4wheelonline also recommended the 4.5" backspace for my application.

SO, I drive the hour to see the truck. It is wayy to close to the fender for making any kind of turn. We talked about adding a body lift, but I really do not like that idea, and they didn't really either. So I guess she is going under the knife first thing in the morning. I dunno what else to do. The wheels have been mounted and they can not be returned. Live and learn??? Other than the giant rubbing issue, it looks great. The guys at the shop are solid, I talked at length with the main mechanic and he said every truck comes out different when he lifts them. He said he has trimmed chevy nbs before, but mine is close to the worst he has seen. He said if it was his truck he would trim and move on, so I guess that's what I am going to do.

Have you called Fabtech to see what the problem could be then? You've done what you should have, so... it's in the installers and Fabtechs hands I guess.

I have called Fabtech. They said minor trimming is required with their 6" suspension lift and my particular wheel and tire setup. The shop considers it pretty major, the main mechanic says he has to cut metal behind the wheel. I am stuck with what I have. Hopefully it looks clean and I am satisfied......

* I talked to fabtech before I ordered all this and they said it would clear......but apparently in the real world, it does not.

redkaz04 · July 20, 2011

i would have done at minimum 5" BS...4.5" seems too little

the xd badlands wheels only come in 4.5bs and 5.71" bs....fabtech claims that 5.71 wil NOT fit because the wheel will rub and grind against the upper control arm.

redkaz04 · July 20, 2011

after a lot of google and bing searches, I think the 5.71 bs will fit my lift. I don't think it will touch the UCA........any opinions?

blackout07 · July 20, 2011

Thats basically factory BS and they will rub. As far as anyone recommending 4.5" bs, that's what I'm running and there is noooo way they would work with 35's and only a 6" lift. They are x10's but the principle is the same. I'd add the body lift...but that's just me.

ChevyTech77 · July 20, 2011

Now that I think about it, I've never seen a GMT400, GMT800 or GMT900 clear 35" tires with just a 6" suspension lift. Hell, the 8" Fabtech lifts that I was putting in GMT800's like crazy for a while there, would barely clear 35's but Fabtech kept telling me, and all their customers, 37's on 4.5" back spacing wheels, for that lift. 37's would crash the fenders just like your 35's are on your truck. All that I can assume is that Fabtech's measuring equipment must be different than mine.

Stevens03 · July 20, 2011

Now that I think about it, I've never seen a GMT400, GMT800 or GMT900 clear 35" tires with just a 6" suspension lift. Hell, the 8" Fabtech lifts that I was putting in GMT800's like crazy for a while there, would barely clear 35's but Fabtech kept telling me, and all their customers, 37's on 4.5" back spacing wheels, for that lift. 37's would crash the fenders just like your 35's are on your truck. All that I can assume is that Fabtech's measuring equipment must be different than mine.

2003 GMT-800

6" Skyjacker lift

16x8 wheels with 4.5" backspacking

315/75r16 wheels

No trim, no rub

ChevyTech77 · July 20, 2011

Now that I think about it, I've never seen a GMT400, GMT800 or GMT900 clear 35" tires with just a 6" suspension lift. Hell, the 8" Fabtech lifts that I was putting in GMT800's like crazy for a while there, would barely clear 35's but Fabtech kept telling me, and all their customers, 37's on 4.5" back spacing wheels, for that lift. 37's would crash the fenders just like your 35's are on your truck. All that I can assume is that Fabtech's measuring equipment must be different than mine.

2003 GMT-800

6" Skyjacker lift

16x8 wheels with 4.5" backspacking

315/75r16 wheels

No trim, no rub

8" wheels and NOT a Fabtech lift. I should have specified Fabtech.

Stevens03 · July 20, 2011

I didn't like the fabtech lift on the GMT-800's because it pushed the front wheels out even further than most other lifts due to the knuckles. The few I've seen on the GMT-900's obviously don't do that because of the new front suspension differences. I would agree that Fabtech would be tough fitting anything wider than a 8" wide wheel without modification. I thought you meant all 6" lifts

Stevens03 · July 20, 2011

Also to the OP... I'd consider dropping tire size before I'd go cutting up my truck

redkaz04 · July 20, 2011

Thats basically factory BS and they will rub. As far as anyone recommending 4.5" bs, that's what I'm running and there is noooo way they would work with 35's and only a 6" lift. They are x10's but the principle is the same. I'd add the body lift...but that's just me.

I hear ya....thanks for the advice. I have been working this morning, but I am going to pick up the truck this afternoon. I told them to trim the plastic but not to cut metal. If it still rubs I will put a small body lift on when I get back from vacation. I think that is all I can do. 4.5 bs does look good. Nice black truck btw.....