Lift gurus I need some help

pancepance · February 3, 2014

So, I've ordered my truck which I expect will arrive in a few months due to delays in production.
I'm not overly concerned as it gives me time to prepare for all the mods and add-ons I have planned.
Most items I am already set with but I am hung up with completion of my planned lift kit. I'm hoping someone familiar with lifts can give me some ideas.
Here's where I am at:
I have a '14 denali 1500 4x4 long bed on order with Z71 package.
Last few months I've had the chance to see some in person as well as many in photos.
Decided I cant live with the stock height of the truck (way to low for me) and I've decided to lift the truck. In speaking with companies as well as hours of online searches of the topic a 4" Lift kit is what I think will make me happiest.
There are a few options for a 4" kit and I like the BDS 4" with fox rear shocks. This should give me the result I want. The question I have not been able to answer and I hope someone can assist me with is with the front of the truck. I would really like to do coilovers. I'd prefer adjustable but if not possible a standard coilover is my preference. The problem is that BDS does not offer a coilover option with the 4" kit. They offer them with their 6" kit but for some reason not the 4. There are a few coilover options for the '14's from fox and dirt logic. I was thinking that I would get the BDS kit as well as a set of coilovers. What I don't know is exactly how the BDS kit achieves the lift in the front. IF its a type of "spacer" used on top of the strut then I would think I cold get a factory spec size coilover and use the BDS spacer and still have the same end result. The interesting thing is that the fabtech 4" lift uses dirt logic coilovers and I don't see that it includes a spacer so I assume the coilovers are longer than factory struts to get the height. Am I correct in my theory? I just don't know enough about GM lift kits because I have been in Toyotas for the last 10 years. Those I know everything about unforunately these, not so much.
My plan is get bds kit because I feel that is the best one for what I want. Most of the reviews I read here and other sites suggested bds over fabtech because of their additional parts to retain correct angles. The fabtech kit I read, is more of a level kit than a lift and does not address all the drive angles. I figure instead of using the supplied BDS strut I would get coilovers and use them instead. I just don't know if this will actually work. If I do get coilovers which do I get? Factory size replacement? or do I get a 4" (or other length) bigger coilovers?
In my head if the bds kit uses spacer I should be fine using any factory length replacement as the spacer will provide the height. If the bds kit achieves the height another way can I just get replacements with the same increase in height? Are those something that I can even purchase? I would like to have something that does not use any type of spacer if possible. I would rather have the equipment have the correct travel lengths instead of just cheating the distance with spacers or some other part in place of increased length.
With the Toyotas I was able to get height adjustable coilovers which I could use to set the height. I just don't know if the stuff for the gm trucks works the same.
Any insight is appreciated. If none of this makes any sense let me know and I'll try to re-word it to get my point across.
Thanks

wrkdvr · February 3, 2014

I'm also looking for the answer to. I want a 4" BDS lift but want coil covers. I saw that Billstein makes 4" coilovers. I don't know if they will work with the BDS kit though.

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Dirtbiker · February 3, 2014

I have - 4 inch BDS lift but don't know a lot about the front end. If I were you I would call them on the phone and talk to them. They might even offer a solution. They were very friendly and helpful when I called.

chewy22 · February 3, 2014

Look at Zone, I think it would work for what you want and save you a little cash. Zone and BDS are sister companies so basically the same lift - primary difference is Zone uses a spacer on factor strut and BDS uses a new strut to get the lift. The Zone kit is cheaper. BDS might have slightly better warranty to but if you plan to use a lift coil with the kit it may change the warranty. Look closely at both lifts, basically the same. BDS strut is designed and valued for larger tires. Just something to think about. As someone noted, I'd call to make sure a lift coil would even work with either kit.

pancepance · February 4, 2014

I put in a call to bds today. They are very happy to discuss everything which is great in my book.
They are gonna get back to me about this. The way we worked it out in theory on the phone would be to replace the included strut with a coilover that will achieve the same lift. It wont be a simple bolt on and go because the front will need to be adjusted to get it the right level.
What I think I'm gonna do is just install the entire bds kit. Measure all the heights, angles, dimensions etc. Then I'll pull just the struts out and replace with the coils. I'll adjust the height until I get everything back to match the measurements from the bds kit with the struts.

It will definitely be a bit more labor but I think that's the only way to get it done since nobody knows yet exactly how much adjustment needs to be done to get specific heights via coils.
When I get it done I'll certainly post up the project.
Until then I'll keep researching and will post any info I come across.