RAFFY's 2014 Silverado 1500 LTZ (Hail Damage Edition)

crafferty · March 9, 2015

I was planning to get the basic 6" kit. BDS told me that unless I am doing a lot of off-roading then getting the coil overs won't benefit me as much and probably wouldn't be worth the extra cost. But damn with you getting that deal of $1,000 off, it puts the coil over kit back on my map.

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Edit: also are the upgraded leaf springs worth it? I don't mind the ride being a bit stiffer for up to 2,000 miles. That's like 2-3 months for me with all the driving I do (which is another reason I am considering the 4") but I would like for the ride to be as smooth as it can be.

Originally I was looking at getting the basic 6". But when I found out there was the potential to save that much I went for coilovers. Plus I really don't like using strut spacers. My 2012 had them and it rode great but eventually they would have been replaced. As for the ride I can't give you a fair assessment as I don't have the kit installed yet. But once it is I will be sure to update and give my honest opinion.

Mike1220 · March 9, 2015

Originally I was looking at getting the basic 6". But when I found out there was the potential to save that much I went for coilovers. Plus I really don't like using strut spacers. My 2012 had them and it rode great but eventually they would have been replaced. As for the ride I can't give you a fair assessment as I don't have the kit installed yet. But once it is I will be sure to update and give my honest opinion.

The price of the coilover kit is the main thing that was keeping me from it. I don't plan to get my lift until the summer since that is when I will have the income to be able to pay for it so no rush on your comments about the ride.

one more thing, would you mind getting some before and after measurements of the wheel wells? Just curious to get an idea of how much height is gained with this kit. Mostly curious because Ive heard a few ppl say that the zone and BDS 4" kits aren't really true 4" kits, they are slightly taller.

The leaf springs are suppose to ride just as good as factory. The thing that will make a lifted truck ride stiffer is the increased ply on the tires

ah thanks for that info. I thought I had read that the leaf springs made the ride stiffer. It could've been that what I was reading was talking about an add-a-leaf kit

I knew that the ply of the tires would affect it but being that this will be my first lift, I don't really know all the details for what to look for and all. Thanks for the info

LongrangeLauber · March 9, 2015

Mike,

I'm sure the leafs will be a bit stiffer overall just because hoe many leafs are in the packing, but BDS is top shelf and lots of people only have good things to say about them. Only downfall I heard was price

crafferty · March 10, 2015

Here's some pictures of the kit in my bed!

The price of the coilover kit is the main thing that was keeping me from it. I don't plan to get my lift until the summer since that is when I will have the income to be able to pay for it so no rush on your comments about the ride.

one more thing, would you mind getting some before and after measurements of the wheel wells? Just curious to get an idea of how much height is gained with this kit. Mostly curious because Ive heard a few ppl say that the zone and BDS 4" kits aren't really true 4" kits, they are slightly taller.

ah thanks for that info. I thought I had read that the leaf springs made the ride stiffer. It could've been that what I was reading was talking about an add-a-leaf kit

I knew that the ply of the tires would affect it but being that this will be my first lift, I don't really know all the details for what to look for and all. Thanks for the info

Awesome, not rushing is always the best thing to do. Expecially when it comes to modding vehicles. I have been wanting to lift my truck since November when I bought it but forced myself to save "X" amount before buying all this shit. And it's not a problem at all to take measurements, I was planning on it. If I'm not mistaken I think I have read that the 4" BDS lift comes out to 5-5.5".

Mike,

I'm sure the leafs will be a bit stiffer overall just because hoe many leafs are in the packing, but BDS is top shelf and lots of people only have good things to say about them. Only downfall I heard was price

I'm expecting them to be noticiably stiffer for the first 500-1000 miles. Then slowly return a tad stiffer than stock feel. Hell I'm only 25 so I'm sure by the time I hit 500 miles my butt won't even notice. But even then the new leaf springs only have like 5 leafs(walking outside to check now).

crafferty · March 10, 2015

Update:

Just dropped the truck off at a local shop in Tuscaloosa. They will be starting tomorrow and she'll be ready to pick up Friday. My wheels and tires are to be delivered at 8am tomorrow. I'll have some pictures ready. On another note my hydro graphic guy called and said my carbon fiber interior trim pieces were ready for pick. I went on lunch break and was super excited...then I saw the crap work they did and am now fuming. Needless to say I will be calling tomorrow to get a solution worked our.

Looks ok with the glare from the sun hitting it. But in person it just looks like a freaking checkerboard.

crafferty · March 12, 2015

Update:

Wheels and tires came in today. Looks like someone tried to steal the tires from the delivery truck. I say this because my shipment arrived on the Frieght truck tucked in the rear right corner. The odd thing is that the bottom wheel and tire was removed and completely unwrapped. But the three above it were not touch and still all attached together with shrink wrap and the plastic bands. Anyways I now have one wheel with damage on the inside and two ruined hub caps. The company I bought them from has already sent me two need hub caps and is filing a claim with the Frieght company. So I'll either be getting a check for a few hundred or getting a new wheel and having the freight company give me a smaller check. Either way it'll get sorted out but just a real pain the ass. Disappointing after my hydro graphics guy failed too lol.

Here's what the wheel and tire combo look like. Ended with a 20x10 Method MR301 and 35x13.5r20 Toyo R/T.

And the damage!

The tampered pallet.

The guideline sticker no one followed

The ruined hub caps, both look very similar. They were rolling around in the trailer of the semi.

Mckenzie · March 12, 2015

If that barrel is full of JD's just drink that and you won't even remember about your truck being dented...but seriously, is that a full barrel?

crafferty · March 12, 2015

If that barrel is full of JD's just drink that and you won't even remember about your truck being dented...but seriously, is that a full barrel?

Nope, it's an empty barrel I purchased from the JD General Store to convert into an electric smoker for my apartment.

Mike1220 · March 12, 2015

Update:

Wheels and tires came in today. Looks like someone tried to steal the tires from the delivery truck. I say this because my shipment arrived on the Frieght truck tucked in the rear right corner. The odd thing is that the bottom wheel and tire was removed and completely unwrapped. But the three above it were not touch and still all attached together with shrink wrap and the plastic bands. Anyways I now have one wheel with damage on the inside and two ruined hub caps. The company I bought them from has already sent me two need hub caps and is filing a claim with the Frieght company. So I'll either be getting a check for a few hundred or getting a new wheel and having the freight company give me a smaller check. Either way it'll get sorted out but just a real pain the ass. Disappointing after my hydro graphics guy failed too lol.

Here's what the wheel and tire combo look like. Ended with a 20x10 Method MR301 and 35x13.5r20 Toyo R/T.

And the damage!

The tampered pallet.

The guideline sticker no one followed

The ruined hub caps, both look very similar. They were rolling around in the trailer of the semi.

Damn man, you aren't having much luck! All the dents and now the scratched rims.

really want to know how you like the R/Ts, I decided about 2 weeks ago that I am gonna go with these or the Mickey Thompson ATZ P3. Most likely ill end up with the R/T cause of how it looks.

PS. I think the carbon fiber trim pieces came out nice.

crafferty · March 12, 2015

Damn man, you aren't having much luck! All the dents and now the scratched rims.

really want to know how you like the R/Ts, I decided about 2 weeks ago that I am gonna go with these or the Mickey Thompson ATZ P3. Most likely ill end up with the R/T cause of how it looks.

PS. I think the carbon fiber trim pieces came out nice.

Haha I bought the truck brand new half off because of the dents. I was pissed when the I saw the wheel but at least the freight company will be sending me a check to compensate for the damages. I would go with the R/T's any day of the week. I haven't seen one negative review, people love them and the 45k tread life warranty is great too for a LT tire.

Mike1220 · March 12, 2015

Haha I bought the truck brand new half off because of the dents. I was pissed when the I saw the wheel but at least the freight company will be sending me a check to compensate for the damages. I would go with the R/T's any day of the week. I haven't seen one negative review, people love them and the 45k tread life warranty is great too for a LT tire.

Yea man especially for that aggressive of a tire! I just know that I saw a few reviews of people running the ATZ's for up to 80,000 miles so that was my main reason for considering them. But the looks of the R/T won that contest lol.

Have you had any luck pulling out and of the dents?

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crafferty · March 12, 2015

Yea man especially for that aggressive of a tire! I just know that I saw a few reviews of people running the ATZ's for up to 80,000 miles so that was my main reason for considering them. But the looks of the R/T won that contest lol.

Have you had any luck pulling out and of the dents?

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Haven't even tried to pull a dent yet, should be able to try and pull a few this weekend. As far as the tires go I wouldn't have any worries of the R/T's not lasting well past the 45,000 mile warranty.

sahls01gmc · March 12, 2015

Since the wheel is just scratched on the inside, I'd take the damage check and run with it! Your truck is gonna look sweet when it's done. I think the carbon fiber is fine. But, to each their own!

crafferty · March 12, 2015

Since the wheel is just scratched on the inside, I'd take the damage check and run with it! Your truck is gonna look sweet when it's done. I think the carbon fiber is fine. But, to each their own!

That's probably what I will end up doing.