2011-2019 HD Lift kit. New CST option. Thoughts?

TXGREEK · January 29, 2019

What are "running shocks"? Pardon my ignorance. California Super Trucks has a 2.0 single shock option. A dual 2.0 option. A 2.5 option. A dual 2.5 option. Some with remote reservoir some not.

Getting 6 2.5" Shocks with remote reservoir add about $4,400 to the price of the kit. Its $2,300 for 4" Lift without keys. Each 2.5" Reservoir shock is about $750.00 or something.

Will I ever need 6 shocks? Will I like the ride comfort and adjustability? Most likely yes.

You’ll need 4 really good ones or else you’ll have shocks that’ll need replacing. Coilovers will give you the best ride out of CST, King, Fox. Rear resi’s are just allowing shaft to go further in while fluid is now in the reservoir attached to it and better cooling. You really don’t need resi’s (reservoirs) with street driving. You’ll 100% regret not doing coilovers, CST, King, Fox. Stay away from the knockoffs. Once you own the best you’ll absolutely LOVE your truck even more. Save up, do it right!

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TXGREEK · January 29, 2019

Here’s a 6-8” CST lift for a 2018 2500

https://cstsuspension.com/2011-2019-hd-2500-3500/12-6-inch-lift-kit-2011-2018-gm-2500hd.html

You can even get it cheaper and then just add shocks

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imiller1974 · January 29, 2019

Post this in the 3/4-1 ton section...

TXGREEK · January 29, 2019

https://cstsuspension.com/2011-2019-hd-2500-3500/354-4-inch-lift-kit-2011-to-2018-2500hd-stage-7.html

$7,500 with tax. Thoughts?

Here you go https://www.newlevelmotorsports.com/6cstliki20ch.html

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jimmyboy8301 · January 29, 2019

You’ll need 4 really good ones or else you’ll have shocks that’ll need replacing. Coilovers will give you the best ride out of CST, King, Fox. Rear resi’s are just allowing shaft to go further in while fluid is now in the reservoir attached to it and better cooling. You really don’t need resi’s (reservoirs) with street driving. You’ll 100% regret not doing coilovers, CST, King, Fox. Stay away from the knockoffs. Once you own the best you’ll absolutely LOVE your truck even more. Save up, do it right!

Sent from above

HDs have torsion bars, not coilovers, unless you do the conversation kit

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TXGREEK · January 29, 2019

HDs have torsion bars, not coilovers, unless you do the conversation kit

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That’s correct, conversion kit will be needed for coilovers but for now he doesn’t need them just a high end lift first.

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T4nkDr0id · January 30, 2019

Looks like a pretty cool kit. I like the way the double reservoirs look. Definitely not cheap, especially for not being a coilover conversion, but it looks to be high quality.

I have the BDS/Fox 6.5" coilover conversion on my '17 HD and I think it's an amazing setup. Looks and rides great and is really easy to adjust. I do wish the shocks were bigger than 2.0, but the 2.0s have been fine so far. If you don't mind the cost, I think coilovers are the way to go.

One thing I would recommend all HD owners get (lifted or not) is a set of Sulastic shackles. They make such a big difference and get rid of a LOT of bed hop.

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jerseytaylor · February 1, 2019

seems like a lot of $ to be barely taller than a leveled truck...

Chebbyfan · February 3, 2019

Spending that kind of money, I can't believe nobody has suggested the BDS coil front conversion kit. That looks like a nice kit. I don't know anything about it, but BDS is a great company too.

TXGREEK · February 5, 2019

seems like a lot of $ to be barely taller than a leveled truck...

Oh it’s much more than barely taller and ride quality is much nicer than being leveled with spacers especially with coilovers

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ITS_CLN · February 5, 2019

I definitely want the 6.5” BDS now!

I wonder if it’s the best option.

T4nkDr0id · February 6, 2019

I definitely want the 6.5” BDS now!

I wonder if it’s the best option.

It's pretty awesome man. Rides really nicely and it's very easy to adjust on the fly. If you're going to be doing a lot of off-roading I would get 2.5 or 3.0 shocks with it (if you can). Overall it's an awesome setup though! I can post up more pics of mine when I get time away from work.

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ITS_CLN · February 6, 2019

4 hours ago, T4nkDr0id said:

It's pretty awesome man. Rides really nicely and it's very easy to adjust on the fly. If you're going to be doing a lot of off-roading I would get 2.5 or 3.0 shocks with it (if you can). Overall it's an awesome setup though! I can post up more pics of mine when I get time away from work.

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Thank You!

definitely getting 2.5 or 3” shocks.

Now I’m curious as to the big difference between the 3” coilover lift and the 6.5” lift. I need the install instructions for both. I’ll call BDS tomorrow they are awesome people.

bye bye tax refund. *frown*

RyF · March 12, 2019

A lot of things to think about:

I also have the 6.5" BDS with coilovers. My 3500HD with 6.5" and 325/60R20 tires is HUGE (~9" taller than stock), and that's not something I fully appreciated before going with the 6.5". My previous truck was a 1500 Silverado with a 4.75" combo lift and 33" tires, and it wasn't even close to the size of this setup. The 2500/3500HD is much bigger in general. I do love this truck, but my 5'2" wife grabs the door handle at eye level. Since lifting, I have had to reverse out of every single parking garage I have been to after unsuccessfully attempting to enter. In cities like Atlanta that's a game changer. I also get roughly 10 MPG (gas) as a very conservative driver. I'm not scared of woodland pinstriping. I buy trucks for function - not parking lot appeal. Driving down any wooded trail is so much tighter than with my previous truck though. It takes a real beating from the branches.

If I could go back in time, I'd probably go with a 2.5" BDS coilover, 18" wheels, and ~34" tires. If you're not using it off-road much, then you could get away with a lot less sidewall on the tire, but my old 33/12.5R20 setup grinded rim lip all the time, which is why I'd go with 18" wheels. The 2.5" coilover with 34s would yield ~5" total height increase, be plenty big enough for what I need while off road, offer a couple MPGs better gas mileage, and I'd still fit in parking garages during the occasional trip to town...no snarky comments every time she gets in either. Good luck.

gearheadesw · March 13, 2019

10 hours ago, RyF said:

A lot of things to think about:

I also have the 6.5" BDS with coilovers. My 3500HD with 6.5" and 325/60R20 tires is HUGE (~9" taller than stock), and that's not something I fully appreciated before going with the 6.5". My previous truck was a 1500 Silverado with a 4.75" combo lift and 33" tires, and it wasn't even close to the size of this setup. The 2500/3500HD is much bigger in general. I do love this truck, but my 5'2" wife grabs the door handle at eye level. Since lifting, I have had to reverse out of every single parking garage I have been to after unsuccessfully attempting to enter. In cities like Atlanta that's a game changer. I also get roughly 10 MPG (gas) as a very conservative driver. I'm not scared of woodland pinstriping. I buy trucks for function - not parking lot appeal. Driving down any wooded trail is so much tighter than with my previous truck though. It takes a real beating from the branches.

If I could go back in time, I'd probably go with a 2.5" BDS coilover, 18" wheels, and ~34" tires. If you're not using it off-road much, then you could get away with a lot less sidewall on the tire, but my old 33/12.5R20 setup grinded rim lip all the time, which is why I'd go with 18" wheels. The 2.5" coilover with 34s would yield ~5" total height increase, be plenty big enough for what I need while off road, offer a couple MPGs better gas mileage, and I'd still fit in parking garages during the occasional trip to town...no snarky comments every time she gets in either. Good luck.

This, my trucks already big, just a level, and 35 inch tires. I'm 6 foot, and it's big to get in the bed, in the truck itself, small cars disappear when next to you, you have to look for them, can't see any part of the roof or anything. I'm as big as I want to go lift and tire wise, but at 57, I'm no spring chicken any more, and it's not about looks or off road, it's me I'm old.