Thinking about lifting my 2006 Silverado

Marcos Murillo · March 29, 2015

So I'm thinking about lifting my truck but I can't decide if I want to lift it 4" or 6" not only that but I want to put 35" tires on it on 17 or 18 inch rims. The thing is I know nothing about any of this and I heard something about having to change gears and well bottom line I want to know what all has to be done so I won't mess up my truck and get the job done right the first time.

WilliamBos · March 29, 2015

What gear ratio is in it now? Does your front end need new ball joints? Unit bearings? A perfect time to do it.

Rough Country, BDS and Rancho make good kits. BDS is a premium kit, but all parts carry a sweet replacement guarantee!

Chris · March 29, 2015

You dont have to regear, but with 35's you will want to. That is a sho job and a tune should be had to compensate for the gear and tire changes

Marcos Murillo · March 29, 2015

I'm not sure What gear ratio it has now and I'm at work so can't really check until tomorrow

Mckenzie · March 29, 2015

First off what size gear ratio do you have and do you tow anything with your truck? That will let you know whether you need to regear or not

Btuggle88 · March 29, 2015

If you do a 6 inch lift you will have to go with a bigger rim than the 17 or 18 , and I have yet to do the gears in my truck but am certainly going to. I went with the Zone off-road 6.5 lift and don't have any complaints and they also have a lifetime warranty but I do have a different body style than yours. It all depends on how high you want it to look I would suggest looking at a bunch of pictures online and look around town and take your time with your decision.

Mckenzie · March 29, 2015

If you do a 6 inch lift you will have to go with a bigger rim than the 17 or 18 , and I have yet to do the gears in my truck but am certainly going to. I went with the Zone off-road 6.5 lift and don't have any complaints and they also have a lifetime warranty but I do have a different body style than yours. It all depends on how high you want it to look I would suggest looking at a bunch of pictures online and look around town and take your time with your decision.

Where are you getting this from? You do not have to go bigger than an 18 inch rim if you get a lift kit? I have gm 17s on my truck and its lifted

xXZ-71Xx · March 29, 2015

Where are you getting this from? You do not have to go bigger than an 18 inch rim if you get a lift kit? I have gm 17s on my truck and its lifted

I am curious too. I know if you get a knuckle lift you can't use stock rims because of the offset but other than that a 17 should fit perfect.

Btuggle88 · March 30, 2015

Never mind misread my apologies.

xXZ-71Xx · March 30, 2015

Never mind misread my apologies.

No worries, Everyone makes mistakes.

Btuggle88 · March 30, 2015

That's my first one. Lol

kstruckcountry · March 30, 2015

I am curious too. I know if you get a knuckle lift you can't use stock rims because of the offset but other than that a 17 should fit perfect.

I believe the Rancho lift is the only one that lets you use stock rims.

Personally, I'd never lift my 2006. It drives great and I'm not paying to make it go slow.

Marcos Murillo · March 30, 2015

Ok another question if I decide not to lift it what's the biggest size tire I could use?

xXZ-71Xx · March 30, 2015

I believe the Rancho lift is the only one that lets you use stock rims.

Personally, I'd never lift my 2006. It drives great and I'm not paying to make it go slow.

Don't quote me on it but supposedly a full-drop lift doesn't change the ride. I can't say for sure though.

kstruckcountry · March 30, 2015

Don't quote me on it but supposedly a full-drop lift doesn't change the ride. I can't say for sure though.

It will have little effect on the ride, most lifted pickups ride very nicely. I'm referring to the general driving dynamics of the pickup; cornering, acceleration, towing. To me loosing power and stability wouldn't be worth it. But many like the looks and the feel of a lift.