3 inch lift-- Body or Suspension???

WhiteHorse · March 6, 2003

I have a 2000 Silverado 1500 with 5.3

Which way is the best way???

Whats the best lift manufacturer for each?

Whats the easiest to install?

I like the look of the suspension lift better

Does anyone make a 2 inch lift??

body or suspension

I have 285s on now

Id like to go with 305s

thanks

General Lee 01 · March 6, 2003

From what I've seen, the majority of people here have done up their 99-02s with a body lift.

I personally prefer the suspension lift because I can't stand the gap between the body and the chasis. I think it makes the bed weaker than if it were resting on the chasis, but that's not a fact, it's my personal opinion.

The Body Lift would be easier, because of the IFS stuff you have to mess around with in the suspension (I think that's why most of the people go with the Body lifts).

The most popular Body Lift manufactuer for the that I hear of is Performance Accessories (AKA "PA") some of the other members here can tell you about them than I can.

I'm not sure as far as the Suspension Dept. goes.

I hope this Helps you out some.

varmint2506 · March 6, 2003

I'm not much on body lifts either. The bad thing about suspension lifts is the price. You can plan on spending $1200.00 for the lift and I would say $1000 to $1200.00 to have it installed. You may be able to do better if you have connections or you can try it yourself. If you have never done one before, I wouldn't advide it. Another crappy thing with suspension kit prices, the 2" through 6" kits don't vary that much in price.

Body lifts you can do for a few hundred bucks and they are pretty easy to install. If my memory serves me correctly, 305's are 33 inches tall so you will not need much lift.

Good luck and keep us posted on the progress. :thumb:

MountaineerTom · March 6, 2003

Like mentioned befoe, the price of suspension lifts are way more than I want to pay. Some suspnsions lifts won't work with the stock wheels either because of backspacing. Rancho come to mind.

My body lift only cost me $215, plus $55 for the gap guards. Myself, my bro (Elwood), and a couple friends installed it in a day. That cost me a couple pizza's a some beer.

Here's a link to my site so you can see what all is involved in a body lift. There's also a link to chevy4x4truck's site on there that has some more info and pics.

My body lift pics

knuts · March 6, 2003

I agree. I went the 3" body lift route.

Rides same as stock. Only needed a little lift for 305's. Much cheaper than suspension lift. My 3 reasons.

KK

Also General Lee, I don't think makes anything weaker. The body and bed sit on the same surface area as stock. The bed isn't on the frame, the bed supports are. And all the supports have blocks and/or spacers.

MountaineerTom · March 6, 2003

Also General Lee, I don't think makes anything weaker. The body and bed sit on the same surface area as stock. The bed isn't on the frame, the bed supports are. And all the supports have blocks and/or spacers.

I'm glad you mentioned that, I meant to, but forgot. :thumb:

AZ-Z71 · March 6, 2003

I have the 3" body lift and when I was looking around I couldn't find anyone that made the 2" body lift for 99+ trucks.

I saw some sort of a monster truck the other day and was trying to figure out what combo he had. It looked as if it sat about two feet taller than mine.

rikhek · March 7, 2003

I have a 3" PA body lift and have been real happy with. It serves my purposes, although I don't really care for the "naked" frame rails. I paid about $550.00 total for the kit including installation. If I had the money I would have gone with the suspension lift.

Now for the kicker, 4 Wheel Parts Wholesalers (www.4wheelparts.com) is running a free installation special on a 6" suspension lift. This is quite the offer. The kit costs $1,430 and requires a new drive shaft which they sell for $375. This comes to around $1,800 for an installed 6" suspension lift. If I had to do over again I would go this route. FWIW.

Rick