Jump to content

Rough Country 3.5 Knuckle Lift Kit

Instructor31

By Instructor31
in Modifications & Accessories

 Share

Recommended Posts

Instructor31 Enthusiast

Instructor31

Posted
Posted (edited)

Good evening,

 

Here’s my 2 cents on the Rough Country 3.5 Knuckle Lift Kit on my 2017 Silverado 1500 Z71. I’ve been driving on it for the past 20k miles and haven’t had an issue. The ride quality is nice, nothing out of the ordinary. I did not option to change the front shocks , just the rear ones. 

 

The lift kit was very easy to install. Key things to watch out for are the front differential drop spacers, they are the most difficult thing to get in place. Also, I’ve seen on other forums that people have been leaving the front diff cooling fins in “thinking” that it won’t need to get cut because it “doesn’t make contact with the cross member.” Yeah.. BS, I thought the same but the cooling find do actually touch the cross member, so make sure to cut them off to avoid miss alignment of your CV axel with your front diff.

 

Rear blocks and shocks are straight forward, make sure you place the blocks on the correct way with the taper or “ skinny “ end to the front. Measure them out to find that smaller side. 

If not you will get shaking while you break at about 25mph and under due to the drive shaft and rear diff universal joints not being at the required angles.

 

the kit does require a 1/4” spacer for stock wheel, get it, if not you will be rubbing on your upper control arm. 

 

The included Knuckle addresses the upper control arm and CV axel angles. They’re not at an extreme angle, they look like stock angles if not damn near it. I have disassembled my whole suspension again to check the ware on the ball joints and they are still looking good and do not hear any popping sounds from the suspension, or abywhere else for that matter.

 

If you’re looking at getting your truck lifted and don’t want to break the bank and get some ground clearance, I think this is a very nice option.

https://imgur.com/gallery/5O8DW1V

 

 

Edited by Instructor31
  • Like 2
  • Thanks 1
Tleesmith14 Enthusiast

Tleesmith14

Posted
Posted

Looks good and this is a kit I am very interested in getting..what size tire did you go with? Did the 1/4 spacer keep all 4 tires in the same track or do the fronts stuck way out like you see with alot of the chevys? You say ride quality nothing out of the ordinary how does it compare to stock?  Does your truck sag much when towing?  

 

Instructor31 Enthusiast

Instructor31

Posted
  • Author
Posted
47 minutes ago, Tleesmith14 said:

Looks good and this is a kit I am very interested in getting..what size tire did you go with? Did the 1/4 spacer keep all 4 tires in the same track or do the fronts stuck way out like you see with alot of the chevys? You say ride quality nothing out of the ordinary how does it compare to stock?  Does your truck sag much when towing?  

 

I went with a 285/60/20R. The 1/4 spacer was mostly for clearance since I kept stock wheels. Track is still stock looking, even with the “oversized” tires, I’m still flush with the fenders. It’s been a while since stock but if it means anything, it’s still as smooth, it’s not too rough or stiff. A little depending on load. I chose this kit because I still tow and didn’t want to lose all functionality (torque for the most part).

 

  • 1 month later...
virtualron1976 New Member

virtualron1976

Posted
Posted

I just had this 3.5” knuckle kit put on as well. Rides good, looks awesome. 

 

One issue im researching is if anyone who did this has noticed increased noise or front diff activation when driving in “auto.” The shop that did my install said they are checking with RC engineers, but I haven’t heard back yet. Any thoughts if you have this kit? 

3FA3B126-1205-4375-ADB3-10C269666CCE.jpeg

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1
  • 1 month later...
TimHortonsJunky Enthusiast

TimHortonsJunky

Posted
Posted
On 2019-01-29 at 10:36 PM, virtualron1976 said:

I just had this 3.5” knuckle kit put on as well. Rides good, looks awesome. 

 

One issue im researching is if anyone who did this has noticed increased noise or front diff activation when driving in “auto.” The shop that did my install said they are checking with RC engineers, but I haven’t heard back yet. Any thoughts if you have this kit? 

3FA3B126-1205-4375-ADB3-10C269666CCE.jpeg

any updates on how these lifts are performing?

  • 1 year later...
2014gmc1500withlift New Member

2014gmc1500withlift

Posted
Posted

So i installed the rough country 3.5" suspension lift on my 2014 GMC 1500. there really haven't been any problems with it except for one thing. It doesn't happen every time i turn but every once in awhile when i turn my wheel sharply it makes a real small popping sound from my front left wheel. its always the front left wheel and only happens when i turn the same way.

 

so in short, i turn the wheel sharply to the right and a quiet popping sound comes. not every time. just randomly.

if anyone can help me out that'd be extremely appreciated!!

WilliamBos Senior Enthusiast

WilliamBos

Posted
Posted
On 1/29/2019 at 9:36 PM, virtualron1976 said:

I just had this 3.5” knuckle kit put on as well. Rides good, looks awesome. 

 

One issue im researching is if anyone who did this has noticed increased noise or front diff activation when driving in “auto.” The shop that did my install said they are checking with RC engineers, but I haven’t heard back yet. Any thoughts if you have this kit? 

3FA3B126-1205-4375-ADB3-10C269666CCE.jpeg

Any updates?  I have auto 4x4 too?

NWdirt Enthusiast

NWdirt

Posted
Posted

I have about 15k miles on 3.5" RC knuckle lift. It's been flawless, even after 13 passes at the drag strip. I would say it ride about the same maybe be a little stiffer. I did change RC rear 3" blocks that was in the kit to 2" blocks to make my 2014 LTZ 6.2l level. Just ordered 5100 Bilsteins.

20200215_223554.jpg

Connor Bain New Member

Connor Bain

Posted
Posted
On 4/7/2020 at 11:36 AM, NWdirt said:

I have about 15k miles on 3.5" RC knuckle lift. It's been flawless, even after 13 passes at the drag strip. I would say it ride about the same maybe be a little stiffer. I did change RC rear 3" blocks that was in the kit to 2" blocks to make my 2014 LTZ 6.2l level. Just ordered 5100 Bilsteins.

20200215_223554.jpg

wow!! that is a really nice truck!.

 

I have a 2018 Sierra 1500 and really thinking about getting this kit, but all i hear is how trash angles are. reading all this really is making my decision easier to purchase the kit!

Connor Bain New Member

Connor Bain

Posted
Posted
On 4/7/2020 at 11:36 AM, NWdirt said:

I have about 15k miles on 3.5" RC knuckle lift. It's been flawless, even after 13 passes at the drag strip. I would say it ride about the same maybe be a little stiffer. I did change RC rear 3" blocks that was in the kit to 2" blocks to make my 2014 LTZ 6.2l level. Just ordered 5100 Bilsteins.

20200215_223554.jpg

do you have instagram by chance, so i can check out more photos!?

NWdirt Enthusiast

NWdirt

Posted
Posted
5 hours ago, Connor Bain said:

do you have instagram by chance, so i can check out more photos!?

Sorry, I don't. Here's a few more pictures.20200412_164831.thumb.jpg.79023f00f8215291f3d80ae5ccc0a055.jpg

  • 11 months later...
Mixon87 New Member

Mixon87

Posted
Posted (edited)

So I installed on my 2017 Silverado and have the same popping sound from my front drivers side. Has anyone figured out or know why? Also with the three inch block in back I’m not level is still 1 1/2 higher from back to front?

Edited by Mixon87
YukonXL04 Enthusiast

YukonXL04

Posted
Posted

I have it on my 18, I have no noises. I do feel stiffer than before steering when in 4x4, but I feel some of that is the new tires not slipping as much.

I am about 1.25" higher in the rear. I prefer it as I tow stuff often. And visually it's hard to tell it's not level

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • KARNUT
      2027 GMC Sierra: Official Discussion

      By KARNUT · Posted

      He has his dad’s newer truck he’s put away. He has several old cars he rotates between him and his family. I’ve seen a restored square body and a SS Chevy truck he’s sometimes drives. He did raffle off a new suburban recently. As much as he is watched if he drove new stuff as a rule we’d know it. It would be fine by me. I don’t care what people prefer. I got one more new one in me. I’d rather my wife get one. I can’t get her out of the Genesis. Don’t tell anyone. I want her to get an electric truck. I want to put a generator in the back. Just because. She hasn’t bit yet.
    • Atlas
      2027 GMC Sierra: Official Discussion

      By Atlas · Posted

      Yes, you must have seen my thread on the Blazer. HOT GARBAGE, but I love them anyway. I'm convinced every car guy has a soft sport for an S/T series somewheres. Probably even a Panther too, if I'm being an honest car guy. That doesn't mean they aren't junk. And they definitely don't get better with age. I sometimes play with old cars, but that's by choice. I don't rely on them and they aren't my everyday fleet.   Derek plays the common man on Youtube and that's no doubt where he started. Now he has Youtube money (and Motortrend, etc). You think his crews and his wife ride around in old beaters when they're chasing him and his wrecks across the country? No he's got newer and nicer stuff for that, you'll see glimpses of it in the footage.
    • Atlas
      2027 GMC Sierra: Official Discussion

      By Atlas · Posted

      You refuse to own anything made in this century yet you reportedly own... a 2007 Silverado, which is now almost 20 years old. The dissonance.... turn up your hearing aid?   You clearly don't understand the government contracting process, brother. We send people to die on front lines, keep the public safe, and make people's husbands, wives, children enter burning buildings with equipment from .....wait for it.....   ...the lowest bidder....   Just because something is used for a long time doesn't mean it's good. But it might be cheap and plentiful.   Please, continue to whine about new trucks in a thread dedicated to new trucks, which you've said you'll never own. We get it. Go tell everyone how you're stuck in time on a Panther forum. I mean, Jesus, an 86 isn't even one of the good Panthers.
    • KARNUT
      2027 GMC Sierra: Official Discussion

      By KARNUT · Posted

      It really is comical when people don’t agree or see the reason some people prefer the older vehicles. They become condescending. All the while they may be busting their knuckles on old vehicles. I have found memories of swapping out engines in my old GM cars in a weekend without much hassle. Unlike today. One wrong move a computer will shut you down. Even on something as easy as a brake job. There’s a pretty comical YouTuber called the car wizard. A garage owner who puts it all in perspective. Another Vicegrip garage that’s shows just how tough the old stuff is. 
    • Jsdirt
      2027 GMC Sierra: Official Discussion

      By Jsdirt · Posted

      I was around and remember that era very well, so I'm calling b/s on that statement. If they were that bad no police department or taxi company would've bought a single one ... but they were used in both services (and fire) for DECADES. They were bulletproof and proven. Even the early 21st century ones weren't too bad! The early models were legendary.   Mine is proof, but people like atlas are blinded by agenda and refuse to believe facts right before their very eyes.   Even decades after they were built, a new generation started driving them, posting all their builds and shenanigans on Grandmarq.net and Crownvic.net. The failures would show up then, since they all were deep past 100k-150k miles by that point, and younger drivers tend to be a little aggressive, especially with vehicles than can lay a one-tire fire for as long as you hold your foot in it. They've more than proven themselves over the decades.   The only thing that'll really take them out is road salt. The bodies and sheet metal were garbage. A victim of the cheapout FoMoCo and GM have been partaking in before then, and since.   Today it's the stuff that counts - the undercarriage that rots away first!    GMs Caprice was no slouch either. Reliable as a stone ax - the opposite of what they build now.    

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...