Lift Question...Are There OEM Kits Available?

Mikejonce · December 30, 2014

Hi all,

I've been reading through the lift threads and a lot of people are talking about the Rough Country lift. Is that because that's what Chevy uses? Does Chevy even have an OEM kit for lifting their trucks? I want to do a lift on my truck but I have no idea where to start. I know that I want something like a 4-6" lift and I don't want to go cheap. I want quality. My favorite lift on here is a dude with the handle "rotten tomato". He has a red Silverado and I believe it's a 4" lift by a company called BDS. That lift is CLEAN! I want something like that! Anyway. Does anybody know how to get this done without voiding the manufacturer's warranty? Can anyone tell me the difference between RC and BDS? Is there really a discernible difference?

austingta · December 30, 2014

There is no such thing as a factory lift kit.

The installing company (and it could be your selling dealer) might offer a warranty on their work.

blackout07 · December 31, 2014

No factory kit out there, but most dealers install kits now and will honor the warranty. With that said, susoension kits will void any warranty work directly associated to those parts. In other words, the lift must be the direct cause of the failure. So don't let that concern you too much, as you won't have any problems with your suspension,.

Is there a difference between BDS and RC? Absolutely. Just search the web for reviews and look at the price. I would never own another RC lift, which I'm not getting into why again, but I've been running BDS for around 6 years now and it's been a great kit with a very nice ride. BDS also has the best warranty out there and comes with new struts up front, which is a big plus.

Spurshot · January 1, 2015

RC stuff would not go on my truck.

f8l vnm · January 1, 2015

Guys so stay away from RC?

Thanks for advise

Mikejonce · January 3, 2015

Thanks guys. Now I'm curious about how high to go. I have a 2014 Silverado 1500 crew cab and I don't want to look like a monster truck, but I do want some lift. Would you guys recommend a 4" or something more like 6"? Or is there a different height that's advisable? Note I want to go with a 20-22" offroad wheel.

blackout07 · January 4, 2015

I would go to the higher end of what you think you might want. You've seen my build thread so you know why I say that. I, along with so many others have played it modestly up front only to want a little more lift later on. It's a lot like women and boob jobs. They all say I don't want to look like a stripper. But after a year, guess what they say? I should've gone a little bigger. So if you're going to do it, then do it all the way so you don't regret it, waste time, and more importantly money. I'd go with a kit like like one from BDS, Fabtech, or FTS. Those are in the 6-8" height range. That way you'll feel right at home with the lifted crowd and you can comfortably fit some 35s with those 22s. Yes do 22s without a doubt for the exact same reasons stated above.

Take it from me and my experiences. If you kinda want 6" now. You'll 100% want it later after you're used to the truck and it no longer looks lifted to you. Beside the fact that going 4" puts you lower than the majority and about equal to the leveled HD crowd. You won't regret it, and it won't look like a monster truck. And do chrome wheels.

Mikejonce · January 5, 2015

Thanks Black! Hey, do you have a cat-back exhaust? I saw that as a part of your 2007' Silverado build one of the first things you did was install a cold air intake, but did you also do anything with the pipes/muffler/cat-back/straight pipe? I see the tip you put on there, but is there anything else going on under there? Or is is just the intake?

blackout07 · January 5, 2015

Thanks Black! Hey, do you have a cat-back exhaust? I saw that as a part of your 2007' Silverado build one of the first things you did was install a cold air intake, but did you also do anything with the pipes/muffler/cat-back/straight pipe? I see the tip you put on there, but is there anything else going on under there? Or is is just the intake?

Just a flowmaster muffler that I don't care for.

Mikejonce · January 5, 2015

Super 50? 40? 44? Why don't you care for it? Sorry if I'm being pesky.

blackout07 · January 5, 2015

50. I just don't like th sound but I think it's the way they ran my turndown. When it was dumped before the axle it sounded good. When I had it relocated after my 4.88s were installed it just sounds off. I'm going to change it at some point. May even go with a stock muffler.

Mikejonce · January 6, 2015

Did you install the CAI yourself? Was it hard to do? Not sure what you're running there...? Is is the K&N 63? I got the Volant PowerCore coming in the mail.

blackout07 · January 6, 2015

I put it in in no time. It's a volant. Nothing special. At least I never could tell a difference.

Mikejonce · January 6, 2015

Duuuude. I don't know how you do it. I was just looking at how your wheels tie in with your truck, and man it's perfect! I'm having the dardest time selecting wheels for my truck!

That said, Why did you replace the stock side mirrors with tows? Was it a move for function or look? I was thinking about doing it to mine (just for look), but I'd have the darndest time painting them. Color matching is tough. All I can find out there is either black or chrome; same goes for fender flares, but I want mine to match! Do you just buy your stuff and then paint it yourself? I don't know how I could possibly do a good enough job painting to get it to appear OEM/Factory. They use hella layers, and top-coats and such.

blackout07 · January 6, 2015

Duuuude. I don't know how you do it. I was just looking at how your wheels tie in with your truck, and man it's perfect! I'm having the dardest time selecting wheels for my truck!

That said, Why did you replace the stock side mirrors with tows? Was it a move for function or look? I was thinking about doing it to mine (just for look), but I'd have the darndest time painting them. Color matching is tough. All I can find out there is either black or chrome; same goes for fender flares, but I want mine to match! Do you just buy your stuff and then paint it yourself? I don't know how I could possibly do a good enough job painting to get it to appear OEM/Factory. They use hella layers, and top-coats and such.

I got tows for looks and for the view they provide. My trucks fenders are at 50" so this thing is pretty tall. I've not yet tried to tackle painting my tows due to the texture but I may try at some point.

As far as paint goes I have rattle canned all of my stuff and it's held up well. It's all in the prep work and it takes patience. I sanded, used self etching primer, then dupli color perfect match and clear. And I used several coats of each. Then the real secret is in the wet sanding, buffing and polishing. That's what really makes it pop.