Gearing upgrade with 35s?

royrjs · July 12, 2017

I'm running 35's with the 3.08, 5.3 and 6 speed. It's my daily, I tow and offroad a little bunch. I plan to install a locker and go up to 3.73, but in the mean time I have no issues (power wise).

Freaking engine / trans don't care that much for the change. I know it'll have better response and mileage will improve, but I don't have any issues right now.

combat1500 · July 13, 2017

I'm running 35's with the 3.08, 5.3 and 6 speed. It's my daily, I tow and offroad a little bunch. I plan to install a locker and go up to 3.73, but in the mean time I have no issues (power wise).

Freaking engine / trans don't care that much for the change. I know it'll have better response and mileage will improve, but I don't have any issues right now.

Cool thanks for Feedback... Embarrassingly enough (my 1st truck) I didn't realize I do have the 8speed w/3.42 rear (Comes w/the All Terrain package)... LOL.. I felt like such an idiot.

W/that being said I think I should be good.

SILVERADO503 · August 31, 2017

As someone who is currently installing a BDS lift on their truck (its on stands in the driveway currently) I am going to recommend you go with another lift. I thought they were supposed to be an awesome lift and built heavy for "offroading" but so far I've had nothing but issues installing it.

First off, they say its a 6" lift. Well, the crossmembers only drop the control arms 4.75", which means it would be the equivalent of a stock truck with a 1.25" level.

Secondly, I had to ream out the factory control arm bolt holes in order to get the bolts into the crossmembers. Piss poor manufacturing on their part honestly

Third, there is a lot of crap you have to trim and cut off, its a bit ridiculous honestly

That's all the issues Ive ran into so far, we will see what today holds in store for me. It really irritates me its not a full 6" drop lift, thats the whole reason I got rid of the Rough Country lift on my old 02 Silverado (claimed 6" but really just a 4" with 2" level). Hopefully I don't sound like Im complaining too much, just wanted to let you know what Ive ran into so far and my experiences, hopefully steer you in a better direction.

I personally have had good luck with McGaughy's lifts (that's what replaced the RCX lift on my old 02). When they claim 7" of lift, they really mean it. Differential drop was a full 7" as well as the crossmembers. Plus, for the same cost as the BDS lift, you get support braces that go between your drop crossmembers, kicker braces behind the rear crossmember for additional support, and the CV axle spacers are billet aluminum not composite like most manufacturers.

As regarding the gearing, drive the truck and see how it feels. I don't plan to regear but that may change. On my 02 I did the same as the poster above, went with 4.88 gears on 37's and that thing was pretty quick for what it was

And for the handheld programmer, I know my DiabloSport inTune i2 will program for a different than stock gearing

I've never heard a bad thing about a BDS lift... I ran their 6" lift w/o coilovers on my RAM 1500.

I have read some stories about McGaughy's though...and most other kits. It seems weird to me that there isn't a kit for Chevy's, that's in the affordable range (not Bulletproof kind of dollars) that is a safe play.

I'm about to pull the trigger on a 2017 Silverado 1500 and I'll put a lift and 35's on it. My top's so far are; BDS w/ coilovers, Fabtech w/ coilovers or Cognito/McGaughy's now I guess... opinions?

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