Need Help, Lift, Level, Tires, Wheels. What First?!

pgamboa · September 15, 2016

Hey guys,

I have a 2016 LT, Crew Cab, 5.3L Gas, Black Truck picked up a few months ago (Father's Day present)

I have concluded with my wife that this is the truck that will stay for good! We have a tendency to trade vehicles in every 2-3 years. Since this is our (my) first truck, I think this is a keeper.

I have been looking at all the threads relating to tires, wheels, lifts, level, etc. When I mentioned to my wife that I want to "lift" the truck, she was "fine" with it so long as I add a running board.

Since getting the truck I have added the following so far:

Kicker VSS SoundStage Upgrade (amp and sub)

Kicker front and rear speakers

Stainless Exhaust Tip

DL3 Mirrors (Fully Functional)

AutoDim Rear View Mirror

Floor Liners (front and back)

9 Pack - Bed Bull Rings

Cargo Net

Window Tint all windows 5% (deal made at the dealer)

Spray-on Liner (deal made at the dealer)

Wheel Locks (deal made at the dealer)

The truck is sounding great and enjoying the upgrades so far. I was able to purchase most of the upgrades through Amazon with a fairly large gift card that funded most of the upgrades.

So, now my question is: I want to take the next step in tires, lift/leveling, color matched bushwacker fender flares, AMP running board, but don't know where to start. If I recall, the AMP board runs ~ $1,200, Color Matched Flares ~ $850, Tires ~$1,000, Leveling Kit ?? ~ $500 (for a shop to do it), Lift ?? Not sure what they run?? I've read the sticky threads on lifts, leveling, and tires and there is just tons of info.

Funding is going to be limited where I would have to one thing at a time, wait for additional funding, then move on. Where does one start? Would the flares look silly with the stock wheels/tires and no lift/level? I have 20" GM Wheels and Tires are P275/55/R20. Should I start with a lift/level and keep the stock wheels/tires? Would that look silly? I'll say that budget will be about $1,000 every 2-3 months or so. Been reading on Bilsteins versus leveling kit. SO MANY options out there.

What should I do? What should I do? I'm guessing this next phase of upgrades is going to run between $2-$3K.

wildwilly1 · September 15, 2016

2.5 inch level kit then wheels and tires then amps i would not put flares on till last

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G925A using Tapatalk

Also a bed cover

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G925A using Tapatalk

O_J_Simpson · September 15, 2016

I would buy a house first. If not, whatever you add will be stolen with the truck from that apartment complex. Apartments and customized vehicles do not mix!

Silvern Sentry · September 15, 2016

Step 1) Do not put a budget on your lift. You lift it you bought it.

Step 2) A lift is 100% about the tires. Forget everything else until you select the tire size brand and type. Buy the best possible tires you can afford which will run over 2500USD installed (you should also price out 5 tires as will need or should replace your spare too)

Step 3) say good bye to your drivetrain warranty. Yoy will want to spend the $$$ on a mid to highend lift that will warranty your drivetrain like ProComp or BDS or better if you plan to keep it many years to come.

Step 4) buy whatever wheels you can afford with the leftover they are the least important and you can run steel wheels if cant afford pimped out rims.

Step 5) pay a certified shop 8-10 hrs labor depending on lift so it has its warranty intact.

pgamboa · September 15, 2016

I would buy a house first. If not, whatever you add will be stolen with the truck from that apartment complex. Apartments and customized vehicles do not mix!

Funny you mention this, we are actually closing on a house in two weeks!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

pgamboa · September 15, 2016

Step 1) Do not put a budget on your lift. You lift it you bought it.

Step 2) A lift is 100% about the tires. Forget everything else until you select the tire size brand and type. Buy the best possible tires you can afford which will run over 2500USD installed (you should also price out 5 tires as will need or should replace your spare too)

Step 3) say good bye to your drivetrain warranty. Yoy will want to spend the $$$ on a mid to highend lift that will warranty your drivetrain like ProComp or BDS or better if you plan to keep it many years to come.

Step 4) buy whatever wheels you can afford with the leftover they are the least important and you can run steel wheels if cant afford pimped out rims.

Step 5) pay a certified shop 8-10 hrs labor depending on lift so it has its warranty intact.

Thanks for these suggestions! I guess I never thought about tires first. I'll keep looking for the "look" I want and go from there.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

pgamboa · September 16, 2016

This truck was in the complex a few weeks ago. This is the look I would like shoot for. Hard for me to tell what all he has without looking creepy rolling up with a tape measure.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Maybe not so much on the rims.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

pgamboa · September 16, 2016

Here is a good look of what I would want.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

pgamboa · September 16, 2016

Can anyone tel from the picture what size/type tires these are? Also how much of a lift?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Silvern Sentry · September 16, 2016

Can anyone tel from the picture what size/type tires these are? Also how much of a lift?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

35 x 12.5 is tire size, its the most popular some people go 37's but those look like 35's. Both of those pics have about ~$3k worth of rubber in them (since they should have a 5th as spare because you can no longer use stock spare at that point). Unsure of lift height but 6+ inch. the denali looks like the 7-9 McGauphys (one of the most expensive) but could be wrong. Take pics underneath, no one should mind unless you touch stuff, if you see the owner just ask his instagram account so you can tag him, anyone with a lift like that has an instagram account

pgamboa · September 16, 2016

35 x 12.5 is tire size, its the most popular some people go 37's but those look like 35's. Both of those pics have about ~$3k worth of rubber in them (since they should have a 5th as spare because you can no longer use stock spare at that point). Unsure of lift height but 6+ inch. the denali looks like the 7-9 McGauphys (one of the most expensive) but could be wrong. Take pics underneath, no one should mind unless you touch stuff, if you see the owner just ask his instagram account so you can tag him, anyone with a lift like that has an instagram account

I think he was just visiting as I haven't seen the truck since.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

pgamboa · September 16, 2016

Also didn't take a spare tire into any consideration. I appreciate all the feedback guys. So far, I read about BDS, Pro-Comp, and now McGauphys. Are there any other lift kits to look at it? Looks like BDS and Pro-Comp have the similar warranties. I wouldn't want to skimp on the lift kit, installer, etc. I would want it done right with some warranty coverage to back the work.

Keep the suggestions coming guys!

Silvern Sentry · September 16, 2016

Also didn't take a spare tire into any consideration. I appreciate all the feedback guys. So far, I read about BDS, Pro-Comp, and now McGauphys. Are there any other lift kits to look at it? Looks like BDS and Pro-Comp have the similar warranties. I wouldn't want to skimp on the lift kit, installer, etc. I would want it done right with some warranty coverage to back the work.

Keep the suggestions coming guys!

Pro Comp is currently out of stock of their stage II coilover, only Stage I available. BDS with Fox coilover runs about ~$3800 but you may find a sale. Cognito is another good one but the most expensive kit I think.

pgamboa · September 16, 2016

Pro Comp is currently out of stock of their stage II coilover, only Stage I available. BDS with Fox coilover runs about ~$3800 but you may find a sale. Cognito is another good one but the most expensive kit I think.

Yikes! Didn't know these kits run that much. When i was looking at leveling, I was thinking somewhere around the $500 for that (to have someone install it). I may have to reconsider priorities here. I don't have the mechanical aptitude and don't wanna take any chances trying to do anything myself. I've got most tools minus jack/jack stands. Now, you give me any electronic device, wiring, i can handle that.

pgamboa · September 16, 2016

If I want to keep the stock wheels for now (20"), Is there a complete list of tire sizes that I can put on them? Seems like this whole lift idea is above my budget.