BDS 4" vs 6"

NorCal2020 · February 28, 2021

Hey guys,

So I've been eyeballing the BDS kits for my 2020 LTZ 6.2. I kinda of want to go for the 6" kits, but heres my question.

Whats the difference between the 4" kit and 6" kit, other than the larger block in the rear. Do they just use different front springs/shocks or crank up the preload on the 4" kit to achieve more lift, or is it actually larger shocks with a minimum amount of preload. Coming from a Long traveled Tacoma, I know my way around shocks and preload, and I would prefer to avoid that.

I also plan on getting the Full Fox setup with the adjustable resi's, Either Cognito UCAs or just buy the full package from BDS with UCA's and the rear stabilizer bar things. I had full race King's on my Tacoma, and THAT was a harsh ride, but these stock shocks on the Chevy are just so bouncy and marshmallow feeling.

I was ALSO looking at Camburgs leaf spring set up for the Silverado, looks like a full leaf pack will give something like 1-2" of lift, so I'd have to play around with blocks to match a front 4" or 6" kit....but at that 1k price tag from Camburg, I might just call Deaver at that point and see what they can do.

Thanks

Supercup · March 1, 2021

6" has different (long) shocks and larger block, longer drop brackts - but otherwise the same. You will like the Fox shocks a lot - big improvement over stock. I have 2020 AT4 with 2.5" lift with 2.5 fox adj. shocks up front and 2.0's in the rear. That is the same as the 4" kit for your truck. You can fit 33's no problem with right wheel offset (0 degrees to negative) but 35" are tight and will require a lot of trimming. 6" will allow for bigger tires.

If considering rear spring pack - Deaver offers a great rear spring packs - call them, they will get you whatever you want - I have run them on last 3 trucks - great quality and good ride.

Here is a photo of my 2020 AT4 with lift

2.5" adj. Fox

Nice Level axel

Rukus · March 2, 2021

DEAVER is the best springs out there! Run them on my YJ (Jeep) and you'd almost think it was coiled.

Rukus · March 2, 2021

On 2/28/2021 at 6:59 PM, Supercup said:

6" has different (long) shocks and larger block, longer drop brackts - but otherwise the same. You will like the Fox shocks a lot - big improvement over stock. I have 2020 AT4 with 2.5" lift with 2.5 fox adj. shocks up front and 2.0's in the rear. That is the same as the 4" kit for your truck. You can fit 33's no problem with right wheel offset (0 degrees to negative) but 35" are tight and will require a lot of trimming. 6" will allow for bigger tires.

If considering rear spring pack - Deaver offers a great rear spring packs - call them, they will get you whatever you want - I have run them on last 3 trucks - great quality and good ride.

Here is a photo of my 2020 AT4 with lift

2.5" adj. Fox

Nice Level axel

Any issues with the stock UCA? BDS recommends swapping the UCA. Thoughts?

THANK YOU for adding the level axel pic! Most forget about that. GREAT looking truck.

Edited March 2, 2021 by Rukus
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Supercup · March 3, 2021

22 hours ago, Rukus said:

Any issues with the stock UCA? BDS recommends swapping the UCA. Thoughts?

THANK YOU for adding the level axel pic! Most forget about that. GREAT looking truck.

Spoke with install shop (who do a ton of BDS kits) and with BDS about UCA - neither felt it was needed for 2.5" lift - unless planning on pounding it offroad. I use is for towing and we go offroad when towing for RZR fun - so RZR will take pounding and truck will take lighter off road duty.

I had UCA on my 2019 AT4 which was leveled with Ready Lift SST kit - they were great - but did stick out more that stock UCA so reduced inside tire room by about 3/4" from stock. since you have to have 0 to negative offset wheel (I had 18mm offset) you will pick up more inside room - but if you go 12.5" x 35 x 18, it will be tight on inside with 0 offset wheel.

2019 AT4 with 18 x 9 Method 18mm offset - 275/65/18 OEM Goodyear Duratracs

Edited March 3, 2021 by Supercup

Anakalypto · March 3, 2021

I’m running the 4” BDS kit, stock UCAs with Fox rear shocks, custom powder coated chartreuse yellow. What’s cool with the BDS it the 4” kit and 6” kit are basically the same. I could swap rear blocks, U-bolts and plate, and front spacers and got to 6”.

I’m running 35x12.50s on stock 20s right now with no running (minimal trimming).

It sits perfectly level. I’ll be swapping to custom set Fox coil overs later in the year and plan to set them around a 5” lift, should give me a good stance, look badarse, and improve ride.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Supercup · March 3, 2021

18 hours ago, Anakalypto said:

I’m running the 4” BDS kit, stock UCAs with Fox rear shocks, custom powder coated chartreuse yellow. What’s cool with the BDS it the 4” kit and 6” kit are basically the same. I could swap rear blocks, U-bolts and plate, and front spacers and got to 6”.

I’m running 35x12.50s on stock 20s right now with no running (minimal trimming).

It sits perfectly level. I’ll be swapping to custom set Fox coil overs later in the year and plan to set them around a 5” lift, should give me a good stance, look badarse, and improve ride.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Standard height truck (not AT4/trail boss)?

Pictures - sounds cool!

NorCal2020 · March 4, 2021

Awesome, thank you guys for the replies! I'm slightly leaning towards the 6".

I'm thinking on hitting up camburg for the AAL they have, as I'm worried that the full pack they offer is geared more towards offroading and will be a little to flexy for towing, IE kill my load weight in the rear. Then just mix and match some blocks to see what I need to be level. Will have to find one that has the rear up just a hair to account for the leaf pack settling. Or just calling deaver and telling them exactly what I want. Should probably just do that haha. Pretty much every leaf pack I've run on my Tacoma from stock to full blown Long travel (and everything in between) was either straight from Deaver, or someone that re-branded after ordering from Deaver haha. They really are the experts when it comes to leafs.

JAEDEE · March 5, 2021

Save yourself some money upfront and order the BDS kit with the adjustable Fox coilovers. Night and day versus the non coilover kit. (Don't ask, or tell my wife, how I know.) I have been waiting almost a year now for Deaver to make a 6 inch lift pack for the rear to get rid of the block. Once that arrives, my suspension will be done. The front takes hits so well and the rear is a bit abrupt.

BCT1500 · March 5, 2021

Unless you live out west or you service them yourself, no way I’d get coilovers. The ride isn’t that much better and your continuously servicing them on and off on and off.

JAEDEE · March 6, 2021

6 hours ago, BCT1500 said:

Unless you live out west or you service them yourself, no way I’d get coilovers. The ride isn’t that much better and your continuously servicing them on and off on and off.

While I do live out west. I have to disagree about the ride difference. It is night and day better with the coil overs for off road use. These things eat up big bumps. Now, if all you do is highway miles, sure no gains to be had, but as soon as you hit the dirt or sand you can't even come close with the stock struts.

BCT1500 · March 6, 2021

8 hours ago, JAEDEE said:

While I do live out west. I have to disagree about the ride difference. It is night and day better with the coil overs for off road use. These things eat up big bumps. Now, if all you do is highway miles, sure no gains to be had, but as soon as you hit the dirt or sand you can't even come close with the stock struts.

Yes, I was referring to on road use. I think a lot of people like the look and think they are better because they are expensive. For a daily on road driver this is far from what you want. Nothing but a hassle ( for the daily driver not living out west) Off-roading I get it completely.

Anakalypto · March 12, 2021

Standard height truck (not AT4/trail boss)?

Pictures - sounds cool!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Supercup · March 12, 2021

Looks great!

Trey Smith · March 22, 2021

On 3/2/2021 at 11:19 PM, Anakalypto said:

I’m running the 4” BDS kit, stock UCAs with Fox rear shocks, custom powder coated chartreuse yellow. What’s cool with the BDS it the 4” kit and 6” kit are basically the same. I could swap rear blocks, U-bolts and plate, and front spacers and got to 6”.

I’m running 35x12.50s on stock 20s right now with no running (minimal trimming).

It sits perfectly level. I’ll be swapping to custom set Fox coil overs later in the year and plan to set them around a 5” lift, should give me a good stance, look badarse, and improve ride.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

@Anakalypto I am new to lifted trucks but long time admirer. I just bought 2021 Sierra SLT with 5.3L, same color as yours...and I'm thinking I want to replicate your setup with 4" BDS and 35x12.50 on stock 20s.

Two questions:

1) Should I get the UCA like BDS suggests? (I will do mostly city/highway miles with some light offroading when I go hunting 3-4x per year, plus possibly pull a 23 foot boat on trailer a few times a year at most). I thought you had to get new UCA with anything over 2.5"...but maybe that's just with a basic level lift?

2) Any reason my 5.3L would have trouble pushing the 35x12.50 Toyo A/T III?

Thanks for any insight you have.