Would you lift your daily driver?

LaserBlueZ71 · February 19, 2015

I didn't post this in the suspension section because it is a matter of opinion, not fact.

I finally have the money saved to get the 4'' Rancho kit I have been looking at for a long time now. My question is, do you guys think it is worth it to lift a truck that you use as your daily driver? Honestly, it isn't that big of a setup, just the Rancho 4'' with 33s. Even though Rancho is a high quality kit, will I still have issues with pre-mature wear on front end parts and driveline parts? I want to keep this truck for another 10 years. Can I install the kit now and expect the truck to last just as well as it would have, had I left it stock?

It's funny, you save up for a long time, and when you finally have the money saved for what you desire, you can't bring yourself to spend that money. It took me a year and a half to save up the cash for the kit, to blow it all in 1 second, seems like a waste to be honest. Although, I have wanted a lifted truck ever since I was a kid, and this is my chance!

Truck is a 2011 Ext cab, 5.3, 6 speed, 3:42, Z71, laser blue metallic color. I drive about 40 KM (roughly 25 miles) per day, my commute is short! I actually don't drive a lot to be honest. I go to work, and stay home, I put about 800 - 900 KM a month on the truck, so I am not overly concerned if I lose 2 or 3 MPG due to the lift/tires. Right now I am averaging 20 MPG for my commute with the cylinder deactivation disabled via my Diablo tuner.

So, is it worth it to own/drive a lifted truck, as your only means of transportation?

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · February 19, 2015

To me I want to still be able to use the truck as a truck. So as long as I can still tow and haul with it then it's fine. I'm about 5'9" so I wouldn't put no more than a 6" lift on a daily driver. But, knowing me I would feel the urge to go mudding and tear up the truck. I plan on keep my '14 stock and if I want a play truck I'd rather spend that money on an old 4x4 Chevy (87 or older so it would have a solid front axle and no computer) instead of putting money into an IFS lift with new rims and bigger tires. To me it makes more sense but that's after learning the hard way to not use your daily driver as a play truck. I'm not one of those people that will get a lift just for looks.

That said, as long as you can justify dealing with a lifted truck as a daily driver then it's up to you. Especially since all you want is a 4" lift so that's not bad at all. One of my buddies had a huge Chevy 2500 with 22.5" rims and 44s and he used it as a daily driver even though he has a lot of vehicles. Not so much now, but he used to.

Carder09 · February 19, 2015

Lifted is fine. Yes certain suspension components will wear faster but you gotta pay to play.

00Silverado4x4 · February 19, 2015

I don't know about lifted but on my previous '06 I put in the leveling kit. I still can't stand a 4wd truck with the nose down look to it. On my current truck I will probably one day just crank the stock torsion bar keys and call it good. However it doesn't sit nearly as nose down as the '06 did.

grampadirt · February 19, 2015

My burb has a 6'' lift and is my DD.It's a Pro Comp lift installed by a reputable shop and done well.I take it off-road at times and have felt no ill affects.Being a big 3/4t truck it's heavy but not cumbersome.It drives straight,doesn't wander,shake or have the death wobble.I can drive it at 30 or 80 on the freeway,rock solid.It drives as well as wife's '99 burb which is all stock.

Keep it aligned,tires inflated to spec,good shocks and you'll be fine.Also,if you put the bigger tires on it you might lose some pulling power as they will change the gear ratio some.

kstruckcountry · February 19, 2015

Lifted pickups are cool. But I drive in some pretty bad conditions sometimes and my pickup sees more dirt than most lifted vehicles. In my area big tires hurt more than they help in the mud. Not to mention I'm on the highway a lot, and I like an easy to load bed, and of course power!

dirtfan21 · February 19, 2015

Two of my past DD trucks have been lifted, a 2000 RCSB Silverado with a 3" BL and 33x12.50's, and a 2007 GMT 900 with a 2" level and 1.5" BL on 33x11.5's. At the time I dated my ex who lived 3 hours from me and I drove there every other weekend. Drove both to work Mon-Friday, pulled the family boat on weekends, used the truck on the farm after work and on weekends. So yes, I think a mild lift as a DD is fine as I never had any trouble. You will have just as many front end problems over time leveling the truck as you would lifting it. Yes, the trans and rear end may suffer at a bit quicker pace with larger tires, but it is really all about how you drive it. Beat on it and you will pay, it is that simple.

If you want a 4" Rancho it really nets around 6" if IRC. For a DD I would suggest running the 4" BDS or the 5" RC lift on a 33x12.5" tire. Or... you can just go ahead and do the 6" lift of your choice, run a 33x12.5" tire, and if you ever get the lift bug again then you can go to a 35" tire and even add a 1.5" BL to help clear them.

SarahsGMC · February 20, 2015

I lifted my daily driver 7"

seansharley · February 20, 2015

I think the looks, and ability to actually go off road with the truck is worth every penny to lift it. After all, its a truck, and shouldn't have car tires on it

kmborland · February 20, 2015

My current truck has a mild lift and 315/70r17 tires. I drive about 45miles a day, 5days a week for work. then about 20miles on Mondays for Scout meetings. I get around 14-16mpg for the past 2 months doing this every week. My truck has almost 200k on it and has the factory steering, hubs, ball joints, and drivetrain. I haven't had any ill effect from this mild lift on my DD truck. I love it, I just hate the fact that with this lift and big tire, I am about the same height as all the newer stock trucks from the comp.

blackout07 · February 20, 2015

If you had a dollar for every time you change your mind about this truck, you could buy a new one. You're incredibly indecisive, and in my experience that's a good indicator that you shouldn't do something.

KMGZ400 · February 20, 2015

If you had a dollar for every time you change your mind about this truck, you could buy a new one. You're incredibly indecisive, and in my experience that's a good indicator that you shouldn't do something.

agreed..

if you are questioning it you shouldnt do it.. or maybe just a level with some 33's will satisfy

LaserBlueZ71 · February 20, 2015

I won't deny that guys, I am indecisive!

I decided to go for it anyways. A local auto supplier is having a huge show starting next month, and Rancho is one of the vendors. I get steep discounts with this vendor through my work, and will get an even better deal with show pricing. They are holding a kit for me with RS9000XL shocks, and I will get final pricing in the first week of March. Should be a screaming deal.

kstruckcountry · February 20, 2015

Drop their shox and get steens

LaserBlueZ71 · February 21, 2015

Drop their shox and get steens

The Rancho kit doesn't use spacers, so it needs long shocks. As far as I am aware, Bilstein does not make a shock that will work with the kit. Bilsteins can be used with the RC 5'' because it uses a spacer over the factory strut, or the 5100's.

I like the idea of adjustable shocks on the Rancho's. I know they aren't quite up to Bilstein quality, but I think it's pretty close. The only complaint I hear about the RS9000XL's is the adjustment indicator will seize up after a while. I am not worried about that. We get no snow where I live, and they almost never put anything down on the roads either, so my truck is not exposed to salt/brine. Heck, my truck is 3.5 years old now, and it looks almost brand new underneath.