Opinions Needed: RC 3.5" Lift Kit

jtupper · July 26, 2013

I'm looking for opinions on the RC 3.5 lift kit with the replacement UCA's and ball joints.

I have a 2010 Sierra 1500 CC 4x2. I considered putting a small lift on a couple of years ago, but decided to wait until it was time to replace tires. I couldn't justify buying new tires until the stockers were done. It's funny how age changes your perspective on stuff like that. 20 years ago I would have done it in a heartbeat.

Anyway, if I remember correctly, RC used to have a 3.5 list that was basically just the level kit and some strut spacers (maybe it was only spacers...I forget). Everyone advised agains it due to the harsh angles it created. I have searched the site about this lift but I can't find much. Reviews on the interwebz are mixed.

Anyone have any personal experience with this lift? Pros? Cons? Does the new UCA help with the geometry?

Opinions appreciated.

blackout07 · July 26, 2013

Oh if you would only search and trust what you read. RC has always offered that abomination with new UCAs. RC has made improvements but the results are still mixed. I had their first kit with UCAs back in 07 and it was TRASH. Any kit that consistently gets bad reviews, even after 6years on the market, is something to avoid. It's really that simple. It also took RC several years to revamp the design of the BJ/UCA they offer...initially they denied that there was a problem. You don't see bad reviews of BDS, Fabtech, or other kits for these trucks. The FBI would call that a clue.

jtupper · August 15, 2013

I'm getting close to pulling the trigger on a lift. I'm looking at the Fabtech 3.5" (K1050) spindle lift. Anyone have any experience with this lift? It looks like one of the cons is that is adds about 1" of track width per side to the front end.

blackout07 · August 17, 2013

If that's all the lift you want, go with a body lift. That way it's cheaper and will maintain that beloved factory ride and geometry.

tyhuck · August 18, 2013

If that's all the lift you want, go with a Zone 3.5" combo kit. Its a combination of a leveling kit and a 1.5" body lift.

Personally, I would go with the leveling kit and a full 3" body lift. IT will get you more lift than those crappy 3.5" suspension lifts, plus its cheaper and less stressful on the driveline.

jtupper · August 22, 2013

I'm not a fan of the body lifts, especially the bigger ones.

What I like about the Fabtech 3.5" lift is that it keeps the geomerty of the front end and you can actually add a 2" level kit to it for about 5-6" of lift in all. Looking around, I can't really find a lot of bad info on it, other than it inreases the track width on the front. I was hoping soeone here had some experience with this lift and could give some feedback.

I also considered the Fabtech 4" lift, but I can't run my factory 20's with it.

cparks555 · August 22, 2013

I'll give a shameless plug to the 4" Rancho, rides almost the same as a stock truck and you can run the stock wheels all day long.

jtupper · August 22, 2013

I have no problem with the 4" Rancho, but I don't wamt to drop almost $2k on one.

blackout07 · August 23, 2013

I'm not a fan of the body lifts, especially the bigger ones.

What I like about the Fabtech 3.5" lift is that it keeps the geomerty of the front end and you can actually add a 2" level kit to it for about 5-6" of lift in all.

Fabtech doesn't make a 3.5" kit. If you're referring to RC, you most certainly can not add a leveling kit on top of that kit. It would defeat the purpose of the new UCA's and your CV's and TRE's would hate life. Don't be a cheap skate. Your truck was expensive...so are quality parts. And FWIW body lifts look fine. Mine is virtually undetectable.