Rough Country mixup.

[Byron Greenleaf]

So I bought this 2015 Sierra and it needs ball joints replaced. Only problem is I can’t get a straight answer about If I need new upper control arms or stock ones put back in. It currently has Rough Country arms but when I asked RC they told me that they should not be installed. ALSO I’m not 100% sure in the size of the lift. RC says it’s a 5” but it doesn’t seem like it. Just looking for some input. Thanks 

[14 Silvy]

Thats the 3.5 lift with RC arms. It has those to correct the upper balljoint angles. I would go back ith them or drop it back down to no more than a 2.5 level to help all the angles. Also you could go bigger to the 5 inch and angles would be flat like factory.

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[Byron Greenleaf]

Thank you. I measured from center of the wheel to fender and I’m at 25”. What leveling kits would you recommend. I’m already rubbing when the wheel is turned all the way. Is there a good 4” or 5” that might not be so stiff. Any bump is pretty jarring. 

[Donstar]

This is a pretty rough (no pun intended) way to lift your truck.  Returning to stock or a proper lift, as already suggested, are the best options. You have a nice looking truck and you probably purchased it in part due to the lifted look.  I'd take it to a reputable 4x4 shop and have a proper 6" lift installed. It may cost more than you would like for now but the ride, safety and durability are worth the initial expense, imo.

[IronVilkas]

9 hours ago, Byron Greenleaf said:

Thank you. I measured from center of the wheel to fender and I’m at 25”. What leveling kits would you recommend. I’m already rubbing when the wheel is turned all the way. Is there a good 4” or 5” that might not be so stiff. Any bump is pretty jarring. 

Your not really going to find a leveling kit above 3.5 inches because it causing excess wear and ride stiffness. You would want to go with a 4-4.5 inch lift at least depending on what tire size you want. 

 

Zone/BDS are good companies to look at for 4.5 to 6inch lifts. Fabtech and CTS makes a good 4 inch lift as well

Edited August 22, 2020 by IronVilkas

[Byron Greenleaf]

Yeah I went into a shop today and am looking at a BDS 4”. Should be a smoother ride if I switch right?

[IronVilkas]

yea for sure a smoother ride. The angle on your control arms are pretty drastic rn. They should be back to stock/level with the BDS, plus the new shocks will be quality

[Byron Greenleaf]

11 hours ago, IronVilkas said:

yea for sure a smoother ride. The angle on your control arms are pretty drastic rn. They should be back to stock/level with the BDS, plus the new shocks will be quality

Do I need to go with coilovers for a decent ride?

[Donstar]

Good luck with your project!  Hopefully you found a business that you trust and will make your truck ride and perform better than new!  My caution at this point is choice of height.   I find that lifted truck owners have a tendency to want to go higher rather than lower.  A 4" lift sounds like a practical height, but 6" has the wow factor, imo.  I don't have a lifted truck but I do know what it's like to settle for fear of being too bold.  If you're spending this amount of money to significantly alter your truck,  make sure you don't regret spending a little extra to get a lot more!

[Byron Greenleaf]

12 hours ago, IronVilkas said:

yea for sure a smoother ride. The angle on your control arms are pretty drastic rn. They should be back to stock/level with the BDS, plus the new shocks will be quality

Do I need to go with coilovers for a decent ride?

[Byron Greenleaf]

28 minutes ago, Donstar said:

Good luck with your project!  Hopefully you found a business that you trust and will make your truck ride and perform better than new!  My caution at this point is choice of height.   I find that lifted truck owners have a tendency to want to go higher rather than lower.  A 4" lift sounds like a practical height, but 6" has the wow factor, imo.  I don't have a lifted truck but I do know what it's like to settle for fear of being too bold.  If you're spending this amount of money to significantly alter your truck,  make sure you don't regret spending a little extra to get a lot more!

 

Thanks. Good point on going big but it’s a daily driver and I still need the sucker to fit in the garage preferably. Not much of a difference though between a 4” and 6” in price. My 33” would probably look a little small if I went taller. 

[14 Silvy]

I'm running the RC 5 inch bracket lift with a 2 inch level and a add a leaf in the rear. I also added a 1.5 zone body lift. I bought the Rc lifted struts with the kit and it rides very well. I am running 22x12 with a 35x12.50 with no rubbing. A lot of people on here down RC but I haven't had a single issue with it.

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[IronVilkas]

20 hours ago, 14 Silvy said:

I'm running the RC 5 inch bracket lift with a 2 inch level and a add a leaf in the rear. I also added a 1.5 zone body lift. I bought the Rc lifted struts with the kit and it rides very well. I am running 22x12 with a 35x12.50 with no rubbing. A lot of people on here down RC but I haven't had a single issue with it.

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I was very close to getting one of these kits. It keeps all the suspension angles stock just moves them down and keeps the stock knuckle and with the new struts it would probably ride very nice. The other benefit is it doesnt increase the front track width like the BDS and other lifts do

[IronVilkas]

21 hours ago, Byron Greenleaf said:

Do I need to go with coilovers for a decent ride?

I think youll get a good ride with or without coilovers Since BDS makes a quality lift. The coilovers would make it that much better, I would say you need to ask someone who has the coilovers if its worth it since they are usually pricey. 

[Byron Greenleaf]

Yeah I’m talking with BDS. I’m a Michigander and want to support them. Also helps they make quality products. But yeah it’s expensive, buy once cry once?