new rear blocks 2 or 3 inch

Big Whiskey · January 27, 2012

Another option would be to replace your factory GMT-900 rear block with a GMT-800 rear block. They are a little taller and might be the amount of lift you are looking for.

I can't remember off the top of my head the height difference between the two though. It's just another option.

The factory GMT 800 rear blocks are 2"....which would yield .75" of lift in the rear if you replaced it with the factory block.

kstruckcountry · January 27, 2012

How about GMT800 blocks and then airbags, you could adjust height for both towing and normal driving. Just a thought

BlackZ71Silverado · January 29, 2012

I know the shop I worked with was quite comfortable using a 2" block with the factory shocks but you may want to get some opinions on using your factory shocks with 2 versus 3 inch blocks or if the 3" puts you in need of new $hock$ too!

I've got 3" readylift blocks in the rear and the stock shocks work fine. Eventually I'll upgrade to Bilsteins that are made for the extra height of the 3" block.

I also have 3" blocks in the back, installed them when I did the 2" front level....I did add ReadyLift shock mount extensions though, it rode a little rough without them installed....Truck came with "Rancho" branded shocks.

birddogn · February 28, 2012

I'm really liking "The Rod's" truck. I have gone from a 2007 Duramax with a 6" lift to a 2011 Silverado 6.2 with no lift. I was looking at a Rancheo Quick Lift for the front and wanted to put airbags in the back for towing. I have a skid loader and a 50 HP John Deere that I need to tow once in a while. I loved the Duramax but I'm not going with a full lift this time. Also curious about the tires. I'll probably go with BFG AT's. I had a set of 315 in those and 315 in Goodyear for the lifted truck. Just not sure what size to put on the 1/2 ton.

Any advice would be welcome.

Big Whiskey · February 28, 2012

Thanks for the compliment. Let us know what size rims you plan to run with your leveling kit and we can help you with tire sizes.

birddogn · February 29, 2012

Thanks man, I actually have a lot of questions. On the description of your truck it says G-80, what does that refer to?

Here are some more questions I have. I wanted to get a Rancheo Quicklift for the front of my truck. I am pretty interested in Rancheo's "My ride" system. But I don't see many of these trucks using that. I like the idea of replacing the front coil over shocks to get the "2" lift in front. Do you have any feedback or thoughts on that?

I didn't think about doing anything with the back other than changing the shocks, but after seeing your truck I want to put the three inch blocks in the back. I also want airbags, but not sure I will get them right away and I only want to use the bags towing heavy loads because they really make it ride rough when empty.

How does the dual exhaust work for you and can you tell a difference? I also have the 6.2 and it seems to have a pretty good stock exhaust, I think mine is 3 1/2 inches.

As far as tire size I am trying to figure that out. My truck has 18" rims and I will probably stick with that. It looks to me like my stock tire size (265/65/18) are 31.6 in diameter, the 285/70/17's are 32.7 inches in diameter. I like the height of the 275/7018's (33.2) and the price, but it says they are not rated for severe snow, don't understand that. Any advice on a size for 18 rims?

Big Whiskey · February 29, 2012

Okay, I'll try to help as much as I can.....G80 is the RPO code the the locking rear differential...if you have the 6.2, your rig will have that too.

I don't know jack squat about the Rancho 'my ride' system...sorry. Most guys just run a spacer kit on the front...and a few run the adjustable Bilsteins. Maybe someone else will chime in about the Rancho kit.

I'm very happy with my exhaust, although some may think it's too loud. My truck has a 3rd converter, that was under the cab, just before the muffler. So, I removed the stock muffler and resonator, and ran 2.5" duals behind the 3rd converter. As far as telling a difference....my 'seat of the pants' dyno tells me it pulls a little harder in the higher RPM's...but that could be my imagination. I was really just wanting a better sound, because the stock 6.0 exhaust sucked. The stock 6.2 exhaust is much better, but if you're wanting more sound, I would just throw a magnaflow muffler in place of the stock one. That single 3.5" pipe is plenty.

For tires....although BFG's aren't rated for severe snow, I'm very happy with them on snowy roads. For tire sizes with your 18" rims...275/70/18, 285/65/18, and 305/60/18 are the most common sizes that are ran with a leveling kit. The 275's will be the tallest and cheapest...while the others are wider.

birddogn · March 1, 2012

Thanks. I'm a little confused about the BFG's. I have had probably 12 sets of these, anywhere from 265's to 315's and I think they are great tires for me. But when I look up the sizes, a few of them (maybe 5%) have a subscipt that says not rated for severe snow. Why would 95 % of them be rated for severe snow and 5% not. I wouldn't even care except the size I am looking at is one of those. I live in Montana and I will probably get studded snow tires for next winter anyway, just curious.

Also any thoughts on where to order the shocks and blocks on the internet for best prices?

Thanks-Jon

Attached is a picture of my old truck.

Big Whiskey · March 1, 2012

I can't explain the difference in severe snow ratings...that seems strange to me.

What shocks and blocks are you looking at?

birddogn · March 1, 2012

It seems strange to me too. I have been looking at Rancheo Shocks and their "Quick Lift" for the front. I have no idea what blocks to get. I talked to the tire place today and they had no idea either.

Big Whiskey · March 5, 2012

Rough country, Zone Offroad, Fat Bob's Garage, and Readylift all make rear block kits for our trucks. My 2" kit from Zone came with the front spacer, rear blocks, and new shocks for the rear.