Pre Lift checklist

dieselfan1 · February 19, 2020

I'm lifting my 2018 Black Crew cab 6'6" bed

Stats....

McGaughys 7"to 9" lift kit

set at 9"

Add a leafs for rear

Kryptonite UCA's

37"x12.50"x20" Nitto RidgeGrapplers

20"x10"-19 Scorpion SC29 Chrome wheels

I have everything sitting here in boxes and it's going to be a month or so before the install so I'm trying to think of anything I need to do to get it ready to lift and I'm drawing a blank .

Other than pull the mudflaps and remove the spare tire since I can't use it, what else?

Other guys that are currently doing the same please chime in . I think even guys doing level/lifts could use this info

Thanks guys.

SSchup · February 19, 2020

I can't think of anything, seems like you have it all covered. After the lift I would say next thing is going to be re gearing for those 37's.

Darksky · February 20, 2020

Traction Bars for the rear. On my six inch lifted truck, they made a huge difference in drive-ability. Wheel hop during hard acceleration is just gone, as well as DSC interference.

dieselfan1 · February 20, 2020

Traction Bars for the rear. On my six inch lifted truck, they made a huge difference in drive-ability. Wheel hop during hard acceleration is just gone, as well as DSC interference.

Any ideas besides the $800 McGaughys?
Everything I look at says it's up to around 6" lift. The $400 RC would be good enough for me but they say they won't work.

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dieselfan1 · February 20, 2020

I checked with Rough Country and they said it would work with a 6" block. That's what I have so I think they will work.

The mounting brackets on the bottom of the frame will just be a little closer to the rear end or am I missing something?

This truck will never see any off road so I think they will be fine. Rough Country or not . It's just a piece of sheet steel welded . No brain surgery.

IronVilkas · February 20, 2020

It looks like the rough country kit has adjustable length heim joints that attach to the rear u bolts via bracket. It should have enough adjustment to go the required length if they say so. The rough country instructions say you need to drill holes in the frame and bolt into them, you may also be able to move this location if you need to. I have never installed any traction bars so take my words with a grain of salt. IF you are gonna have a shop install it Id ask them what they think.

CovetedStyle · February 20, 2020

Traction bars are definitely a good idea my friend especially when using such a tall block.

IronVilkas · February 20, 2020

My brother has a 7.5in RC lift on his 08 GMC1500 and I told him he should get traction bars eventually. I would assume the axle wrap is atrocious with blocks that big.

Darksky · February 20, 2020

I only had to drill one hole per side to install mine. There are two nuts welded to a piece of flat stock which holds them the appropriate distance apart for the install. I dropped it through a hole in the side of the frame rail and pulled it into place with a piece of wire. EasyPeasy.

There are videos showing axle wrap on our trucks. I was surprised at how much wrap there was, the leaves really bend.

I also had an additional full length leaf made, added it to the stack, just underneath the main (eye) leaf. It’s a simple and inexpensive way to strengthen the springs significantly.

Mike GMC · February 20, 2020

Extended brake flex hoses?? Not sure you need them, but every vehicle I've lifted did need them.

dieselfan1 · February 21, 2020

Extended brake flex hoses?? Not sure you need them, but every vehicle I've lifted did need them.

I thought about that too but evidently they are plenty long.
You do need to relocate the front brake lines I'm pretty sure but they stay connected.

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CovetedStyle · February 21, 2020

2 minutes ago, dieselfan1 said:

I thought about that too but evidently they are plenty long.
You do need to relocate the front brake lines I'm pretty sure but they stay connected.

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So here’s the thing, if you bend and tweak your hard lines on your rear diff like they tell you to then it is long enough I didn’t like the look of that so I definitely added stainless steel braided flex lines to both front and rear. I’m currently at 8 inches of lift on the front end and the brake lines are almost maxed out. Just food for thought.

IronVilkas · February 21, 2020

27 minutes ago, CovetedStyle said:

So here’s the thing, if you bend and tweak your hard lines on your rear diff like they tell you to then it is long enough I didn’t like the look of that so I definitely added stainless steel braided flex lines to both front and rear. I’m currently at 8 inches of lift on the front end and the brake lines are almost maxed out. Just food for thought.

Where did you get your rear extended brake lines? My bro needs some for his truck

CovetedStyle · February 21, 2020

1 hour ago, IronVilkas said:

Where did you get your rear extended brake lines? My bro needs some for his truck

Let me check for you when I get to my shop tomorrow, it was a clean front and rear kit. My memory ain’t what it was and I’ve done quite a few vehicles since then.