Help deciding on a lift

C-Dub'sZ71 · March 11, 2016

So im looking at putting a lift on my 2015 Silverado LTZ Z71 midnight edition but im fairly new to doing such things.

I don't want anything huge but I want something a little bigger than just a 2 1/2" leveling kit.

My brother had a 3 1/2" rough country suspension lift with 33 on his 2011 Silverado and he really liked it but ive read on some previous talks that its not a great idea because even with the upper control arms it puts too much strain on the ball joints.

Any suggestions and pictures would be much appreciated!

Half_ton · March 11, 2016

depends on your budget. If you can afford it, go with BDS.

Robert.jean1 · March 11, 2016

Look at a 4'' suspension lift. Higher than a level but not obnoxious either. Also +1 on the BDS.

wrkdvr · March 11, 2016

I know mine isn't a K2 but I was looking for the same thing. Saved for two years and just did my 4" BDS with 33" tires. I had no desire to go bigger as it is my DD and I didn't want to loose access to loading the bed during hunting season and home chores. I also have a little own and wife that utilize the truck also so 6" w 35's would not be ideal. I was not willing to go cheap just to obtain the "looks" of a lifted truck. I don't off-road, but do go off-road and I wanted it to last the life of the truck.

C-Dub'sZ71 · March 11, 2016

Look at a 4'' suspension lift. Higher than a level but not obnoxious either. Also +1 on the BDS.

I know mine isn't a K2 but I was looking for the same thing. Saved for two years and just did my 4" BDS with 33" tires. I had no desire to go bigger as it is my DD and I didn't want to loose access to loading the bed during hunting season and home chores. I also have a little own and wife that utilize the truck also so 6" w 35's would not be ideal. I was not willing to go cheap just to obtain the "looks" of a lifted truck. I don't off-road, but do go off-road and I wanted it to last the life of the truck.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1457731475.450552.jpg

With the 4" suspension from BDS would you recommend doing the coil over and the leaf springs instead of the blocks?

Also with this lift I was looking at running 33's but using the factory wheels... do you think I would have any issues with rubbing? would I need spacers and if so what are your thoughts on 2" spacers?

wrkdvr · March 11, 2016

With the 4" suspension from BDS would you recommend doing the coil over and the leaf springs instead of the blocks?

Also with this lift I was looking at running 33's but using the factory wheels... do you think I would have any issues with rubbing? would I need spacers and if so what are your thoughts on 2" spacers?

Depends on your budget and purpose. CO were another $1500 that I didn't have or need. Would they be nice? Absolutely. I replaced the rear with the full spring kit from the BDS 6" kit that gives me a 1.5 inch rake. Your options are standard block that comes with the 4" kit, add a leaf or whole leaf pack. The leaf pack was $495 extra. I did upgrade the rear shocks to FOX. Should you decide to go bigger you can just add a larger block and get the 6" CO set and voilà.

As far as the second question about stock BS, that is not something I can answer. BDS lift does increase track width 1.5" each side. I added 1.5" rear spacers. Your okay to tow moderate for short durations. I wouldn't want to pull a front loader with them though. Someone on hear should be able to tell you more about the back spacing. I do know that you will want at least a 9" rim. I kept with 18" for more rubber = more cushion and sidewall protection for rims. I went with -12 offset.

Harbinger · March 12, 2016

Im personally looking at the Zone 2 inch leveling matched with the 1.5" body lift. Minimal changes done to suspension but I still get a little more height. I had the 3.5" RCX and 1.25" RCX body lift and you're right. Even with the aftermarket upper control arms it was hard on ball joints (Didn't even last a year before they were getting loose) and I find that 3.5" of spacer is WAY too much. Allowed my suspension to travel too far down and caused me major issues. So I traded in my 2011 for my current 2014.

This is why I only want to go really basic with my lift. Do that with some -12 offset rims and she'll be badass.

Robert.jean1 · March 12, 2016

With the BDS lift it really just depends on what you plan to do with the truck. If you would like good fit and function and want to take the truck off-roading then the regular kit works great. If you plan to take your truck on some serious off-roading and plan to beat the heck out of it then go for the coil overs. I have the 6" system that only replaces the struts and then blocks in the back. It rides great, performs very well off-road and glad I personally saved the money and opted for the lesser kit. On tires with both the 4" and 6" kits they allow for up to a 35" tire. The Spacers you need for the rear only are 1.5" on the rear to correct the track width. If you use a Hub centric spacer everything will work just fine.

shanedaniel · March 13, 2016

I have the 6" BDS on my 2012, good lift & keeps good angles on your suspension.... only downfall is that it doesn't fit any other shocks/struts but their own & coilovers.... so no Billsteins.

It all depends on budget. BDS, Cognito, FTS, etc all good lifts.

I just bought a 2015 and plan on going with the FTS 7"-9". These have been and are both my daily drivers... no issues. I too have a little one & wife. At 6" of lift neither has a problem getting in. The 7-9 may be a little different

C-Dub'sZ71 · March 14, 2016

What are yalls thoughts on the 6.5 suspension lift from Zone Offroad or the 6" stage 1 or 2 from ProComp?

After talkin with the boss lady I don't know if I can budget the BDS + new wheels and tires along with all the other add-ons I want to eventually get.

wrkdvr · March 14, 2016

I would go Zone. Do you currently have 20" stockers? You might be able to use those with the kit and upgrade later when funds become available.

C-Dub'sZ71 · March 15, 2016

I would go Zone. Do you currently have 20" stockers? You might be able to use those with the kit and upgrade later when funds become available.

No currently I have the stock 18" rims that come with the midnight edition. I would love to continue to use these rims but I know with the zone 6.5" suspension I wouldn't be able to because of interference with the tie rods. Im not sure if I would have the same issue with the procomp but im assuming I would.

shanedaniel · March 15, 2016

Out of curiosity what is your budget for the lift? I don't know what the zone lift costs but I do know about the FTS & BDS.

Also, a stock set of 20" wheels isn't that expensive & sell yours. Then save for something else later. You don't have to go American Force, Fuel Forged or Specialty Forged out the blocks!

C-Dub'sZ71 · March 17, 2016

Out of curiosity what is your budget for the lift? I don't know what the zone lift costs but I do know about the FTS & BDS.

Also, a stock set of 20" wheels isn't that expensive & sell yours. Then save for something else later. You don't have to go American Force, Fuel Forged or Specialty Forged out the blocks!

I was hoping to get spend around 2k for the lift but if I have to go a bit over its not going to kill me.