2014+ Suspension Lifts

HilldaBeast · May 18, 2015

zone 5" on 35s

Looks awesome, nice truck

Cajun Phil · May 19, 2015

Okay I'm having a real hard time choosing a lift here...

I was set on the Zone 4.5" because they are a sister company to BDS, people talk highly of them and it seems like a quality kit. I've always thought Rough Country is garbage because people just don't have good things to say about them. I just don't understand how Zone and Rough Country are the same price when apparently one is so much better than the other?

I don't want a 6" lift, because they are so overdone on trucks they don't even stand out anymore to me. I also think 6" is the size trucks start to look ridiculous.

So... I'm looking at 4", 4.5", and 5" lifts. I don't want anything higher than 5". I don't want to spend $2000 for a lift, that's absolutely insane. Right now I'm looking at the Zone and Rough Country... can anyone give me any tips, or if anyone has these lifts, give me their experience?

I was going with the RC 5" lift at 4 Wheel Parts. They said that there has been issues with that lift but would install if I wanted. They recommend the Nfab 4" or the Pro comp 4" lift. Both of these lifts were about $400 more. I went with the Pro Comp 4" lift because of all the reviews and there was NO modifications on truck so if I want to go back to stock I can with no problems. I also went with this one because it doesn't void my new truck warranty and Pro Comp gives a lifetime warranty on their product. Remember you get what you pay for. The Pro Comp 4" Lift (part # K1158B) runs around $1700. If you have a shop install the lift you are looking at another $600 - $800 in labor. Very satisfied with the lift.

My truck - http://s300.photobucket.com/user/philwhall/library/Fender%20Flares%20and%20Side%20window%20deflectors

Habs · May 20, 2015

Thanks for the help guys.

Crawled under my truck to find out what the factory rims' offset are... +27. I want to keep the stock 20" rims. I love them and can't really afford to buy new rims.

So... I'll most likely be running a 33x12.50 tire, fender flares, and either the 2.5" level kit with 1.5" body lift, the 4" BDS, or the 4.5" Zone.

I want the tires to not look goofy with the fender flares, they need to be flush to look good. Would backspacing solve my issue, since the factory rims have such a high offset? (High offset is good and bad of course, good because you can run bigger tires without rubbing, bad because the tires sit in so far)

And... what is backspacing? Lol. Is it just wheel spacers? Thanks guys.

Edited May 20, 2015 by Habs

Payton34 · May 21, 2015

Thanks for the help guys.

Crawled under my truck to find out what the factory rims' offset are... +27. I want to keep the stock 20" rims. I love them and can't really afford to buy new rims.

So... I'll most likely be running a 33x12.50 tire, fender flares, and either the 2.5" level kit with 1.5" body lift, the 4" BDS, or the 4.5" Zone.

I want the tires to not look goofy with the fender flares, they need to be flush to look good. Would backspacing solve my issue, since the factory rims have such a high offset? (High offset is good and bad of course, good because you can run bigger tires without rubbing, bad because the tires sit in so far)

And... what is backspacing? Lol. Is it just wheel spacers? Thanks guys.

If you do a Zone or BDS lift they widen your track width. The factory 20s will stick out from the fender somewhat. I have a BDS lift stock 20s and 35x12.5 tire and think it looks perfect. If you only level your wheels will stay where they are and a wider tire will hardly stick out past the fender. I am skipping fender flares i think they make the tires look smaller.

GrnMtnRider · May 21, 2015

Thanks for the help guys.

Crawled under my truck to find out what the factory rims' offset are... +27. I want to keep the stock 20" rims. I love them and can't really afford to buy new rims.

So... I'll most likely be running a 33x12.50 tire, fender flares, and either the 2.5" level kit with 1.5" body lift, the 4" BDS, or the 4.5" Zone.

I want the tires to not look goofy with the fender flares, they need to be flush to look good. Would backspacing solve my issue, since the factory rims have such a high offset? (High offset is good and bad of course, good because you can run bigger tires without rubbing, bad because the tires sit in so far)

And... what is backspacing? Lol. Is it just wheel spacers? Thanks guys.

Here is my .02 cents, I was in the same situation as yourself for months and just recently pulled the trigger.

I was originally leaning towards the RCX 5" or the Skyjacker 4" but in the end I couldn't bring myself to cut the frame on my brand new truck. When I looked into the Zone lifts I found that they require you to cut a lot more than just the crossmember ears on the frame. I figured that if I don't like what I went with I can always upgrade down the road when most of my warranty is gone.

BDS looks like a great lift, personally I just didn't want to spend that kind of money and as Payton34 mentioned it will widen your track width. Again, it's only personal preference but I didn't like the idea of my front tires sticking out a little wider than my rear (and no, I'm not a fan of spacers, even in the rear).

So with this being said I started looking at combo lifts. I narrowed it down to either the RCX 3.5" suspension with 1.25" body lift or a 2.5" leveling kit with 1.5" zone body lift. Both allow you to run your factory 20's and both will accommodate a 33x12.50 tire. The RCX 3.5" does require you to notch the front crossmember, but after a little research I found that a new crossmember is only $85. Call me paranoid or foolish, but I just like the idea that I can revert the truck back to a completely stock setup if I choose. I found no negative points to going with the 2.5 leveling kit and 1.5 body lift. But in the end I chose to go the RCX route, mainly because it does provide differential drops, the lift is almost an inch bigger and because the gaps with the body lift will be just that much smaller.

Hope this helps a little as I can relate far too well with not knowing which direction to go.

stormgray2000 · May 22, 2015

i just put a rough country 7.5 knuckle on my 15 half ton and have noise coming from the rack. note i did not drop the rack for the install. just pulled my tandem hauler home and the noise got even worse. everything is torqued and installed correctly. anyone else having problems with this? called RC and they said this was the 1st case they had heard of, but thankfully they are helping me fix the issue. also have aluminum arms if that matters. any input or heard anyone else with problems??

Edited May 22, 2015 by stormgray2000

lockey14s · May 22, 2015

i just put a rough country 7.5 knuckle on my 15 half ton and have noise coming from the rack. note i did not drop the rack for the install. just pulled my tandem hauler home and the noise got even worse. everything is torqued and installed correctly. anyone else having problems with this? called RC and they said this was the 1st case they had heard of, but thankfully they are helping me fix the issue. also have aluminum arms if that matters. any input or heard anyone else with problems??

A lot of people are having similar issue but I think it's just a problem with the rack and not due to the lift. I have a popping noise coming from there when I back up and cut the wheel. It's getting worse as time goes on. Have to take it in and see if they can replace the rack. Pull the boot back and see if any chunks are coming out.

Nice truck BTW!

speedracer2536 · May 23, 2015

sure it isnt your tires hitting the body or the lower air dam?

I have the same lift with no issues, and I am using aftermarket wheels that have a -24 offset

stormgray2000 · May 24, 2015

sure it isnt your tires hitting the body or the lower air dam?

I have the same lift with no issues, and I am using aftermarket wheels that have a -24 offset

no rubbing on the valance.

crafferty · May 24, 2015

i just put a rough country 7.5 knuckle on my 15 half ton and have noise coming from the rack. note i did not drop the rack for the install. just pulled my tandem hauler home and the noise got even worse. everything is torqued and installed correctly. anyone else having problems with this? called RC and they said this was the 1st case they had heard of, but thankfully they are helping me fix the issue. also have aluminum arms if that matters. any input or heard anyone else with problems??

Shame your having problems with the lift. Your trucks set up looks awesome.

Robert.jean1 · May 24, 2015

Stromgrey2000, with that 7.5" RCX lift why size are the tires you chose on the stock rims. Other than the higher that is the exact look I am wanting.

bigguy73 · May 24, 2015

Sent you quick? I’m sorry for not having an answer.

Kohl22 · May 25, 2015

How's everyone doing?!?

I just picked up a 2015 Denali 1500 with magneride and I wondering if anyone has installed the 4" Fabtech lift specific for the 2015 Denali? If so do you have any pics? Also how is the ride? Thanks guys