Suspension Lift with Max Tow.

topgear1224 · April 14, 2020

Dealer told me 90% of the time they’ll honor the warranty if they do the work. I’m waiting for a response. Trying to see if the kit will work, then play with different options.
And my need was for a full size pickup with a crew cab and 6’ bed. Towing came second because I don’t tow much or often enough to need a 2500. The options I had available locally were ******. It was either the truck I got or a $70k Denali 2500. I’m a firm believer 1/2 tons aren’t built for towing. But occasionally hauling the toys out to play, a box trailer, and potentially a tent trailer is all I’ll be doing.

Ahh, at first I was like OMG he wants to lift then tow 13k.....

With GM saying it isn't compatible, the dealer will of course cover the labor they do, but GM won't cover the parts in an unapproved application. So if the shock seal blows you likely would have to work a deal with the dealership.

The first thing I would determine is how slow you are willing to go off road.
We have long wheelbases so rockcrawling is unlikely. Also need to decide how comfortable you require the ride to be off road. And finally for the "value" question how often do you drive off road vs on road.

If you are looking for something simple you can try the lower and upper spacer level kits. Completely reversible if you don't like it. Cheap. Good starting point. Throw a small generic block in the rear and see how you like it. Unlocking extra travel gets expensive FAST. My kit will probably be $6k+

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woodsnwater · April 14, 2020

i have the same truck but short bed with a 3 in superlift with the bilstien option worked just fine rides fine also . its on page 26 of the leveled thread with info. When i had the stock 275/60 20s tires and rims on it before alignment i did notice the tires were real close to the uca so if you want to go too much wider you will need a spacer or different offset wheel. Towing capacity im sure will suffer slightly . the max i tow is a 20 ft bass boat and since my 2017 gmc had a 7 in lift on it with a 5.3 and towed the boat just fine. i went with superlift because you can return it to stock which i will before trade in.

Sierra50BMG · April 14, 2020

1 hour ago, woodsnwater said:

i have the same truck but short bed with a 3 in superlift with the bilstien option worked just fine rides fine also . its on page 26 of the leveled thread with info. When i had the stock 275/60 20s tires and rims on it before alignment i did notice the tires were real close to the uca so if you want to go too much wider you will need a spacer or different offset wheel. Towing capacity im sure will suffer slightly . the max i tow is a 20 ft bass boat and since my 2017 gmc had a 7 in lift on it with a 5.3 and towed the boat just fine. i went with superlift because you can return it to stock which i will before trade in.

How is your travel up front? I saw this kit but not too excited about spacers. I also don’t want to level it.

Sierra50BMG · April 14, 2020

@topgear1224 sometimes I like to smash off road lol. Just depends on the trail. I live in MT so hunting and camping sometimes can lead down some damn good roads. Not to mention the snow.

My main goal is at least a 34” tire with extra travel both front and rear. Looks like with that 2” lift I might be able to fit a 35.
Once I hear back from GM I might just do the whole 2” kit, then AAL to help the softer shocks. I think the front spring rate will be solid enough to assist the softer struts.
As far as comfort goes, I love the stock ride with the max tow, I prefer a stiffer ride with some give when it matters.

woodsnwater · April 15, 2020

2 hours ago, Sierra50BMG said:

How is your travel up front? I saw this kit but not too excited about spacers. I also don’t want to level it.

travel is fine but the most off roading i do any more are rutted up field roads going to hunt not really beating it up .

topgear1224 · April 15, 2020

4 hours ago, Sierra50BMG said:

@topgear1224 sometimes I like to smash off road lol. Just depends on the trail. I live in MT so hunting and camping sometimes can lead down some damn good roads. Not to mention the snow.

My main goal is at least a 34” tire with extra travel both front and rear. Looks like with that 2” lift I might be able to fit a 35.
Once I hear back from GM I might just do the whole 2” kit, then AAL to help the softer shocks. I think the front spring rate will be solid enough to assist the softer struts.
As far as comfort goes, I love the stock ride with the max tow, I prefer a stiffer ride with some give when it matters.

the GM kit will just raise the static height and will not add any extra travel. you are trading height for droop travel.

if a lift kit doesn't include UCA i would assume it doesn't add any travel. (not 100% true but most current kits is true. Due to the old issues with driveline/ balljoint angles, most kits just trade droop for tire to fender clearance.)

up to 35% more front travel with stage 2+ kits. (stage 1 is 25%)

https://www.iconvehicledynamics.com/products/?fit=1&model=Silverado 1500

you can piece together your own kit. i would suggest:

front

icon front extended coilovers 71606

Tubular UCA 78620DJ

Rear

M-27 www.camburg.com/

a shock with the same specs as these should work (extended, compressed lengths. - these are "1.8 inch piston" shocks compared to the icon's "2.5 shock" )

https://www.roughcountry.com/v2-monotube-shock-absorber-760738a.html?find=2019-chevy-silverado-1500-4wd-568358

i will likely be doing UCA with Fox DSC shocks front and rear . and custom rear leaf springs from deaver.

OR if i cant fit bigger than 33 anyways go with a custom Icon stage 4 with factory rake.

Edited April 15, 2020 by topgear1224