Long travel kit concerns.

Juggsauce · March 24, 2021

My application is overlanding and maybe some medium speed over bumps. I don't really like lift kits because I'm not interested in cutting the frame and I feel like it will be easier to liquidate a long travel kit should I sell the truck. I also like that LT kits actually give you more center clearance since it doesn't drop the LCA mounting points.

The biggest thing I'm apprehensive about with LT kits is I don't see any with sway bar attachments. I tow a 7500lb camper cross country with my truck and without a sway bar I'm worried about how well it would tow. Anyone on here have the baja or dirt king kit? How bad is the truck on road without a sway bar? Thanks in advance for input.

RSVolcom · March 24, 2021

Can't remember the thread, but someone just posted the this link for a sway bar. https://www.hellwigproducts.com/products/?partnumber=7780

Here's the Thread:

Edited March 24, 2021 by RSVolcom

Descartian · March 24, 2021

6 minutes ago, RSVolcom said:

Can't remember the thread, but someone just posted the this link for a sway bar. https://www.hellwigproducts.com/products/?partnumber=7780

They make great products.

HK_Crew · March 24, 2021

Running a sway bar on a long travel kit can be tricky. Causes all sorts of clearance issues.

I'd probably re-think a long travel kit for your usage. I think a mid-travel kit would probably work out better for you. King/fox/icon coil overs with a new UCA and maybe even a stock length LCA would be a massive improvement over stock.

HK_Crew · March 24, 2021

2 hours ago, RSVolcom said:

Can't remember the thread, but someone just posted the this link for a sway bar. https://www.hellwigproducts.com/products/?partnumber=7780

He's talking about the front swaybar, not the rear.

Edited March 24, 2021 by HK_Crew

Juggsauce · March 25, 2021

2 hours ago, HK_Crew said:

Running a sway bar on a long travel kit can be tricky. Causes all sorts of clearance issues.

I'd probably re-think a long travel kit for your usage. I think a mid-travel kit would probably work out better for you. King/fox/icon coil overs with a new UCA and maybe even a stock length LCA would be a massive improvement over stock.

I didn't realize there were mid travel kits. Does that refer to just a UCA swap and coilovers or do they come with LCAs with sway bar linkage?

HK_Crew · March 25, 2021

2 hours ago, Juggsauce said:

I didn't realize there were mid travel kits. Does that refer to just a UCA swap and coilovers or do they come with LCAs with sway bar linkage?

Mid- travel is usually UCA and coil overs.

However Baja Kits makes a stock length LCA with an option for a swaybar connection.

https://www.bajakits.com/i-31570261-19-silverado-sierra-1500-2wd-4wd-stock-width-lower-arm.html?ref=category:1459192

Juggsauce · March 25, 2021

7 hours ago, HK_Crew said:

Mid- travel is usually UCA and coil overs.

However Baja Kits makes a stock length LCA with an option for a swaybar connection.

https://www.bajakits.com/i-31570261-19-silverado-sierra-1500-2wd-4wd-stock-width-lower-arm.html?ref=category:1459192

Interesting. I wonder what the point is if they're the same length as stock? Stronger surely but no lift or additional travel. I guess I'll just have to go with UCA, coilovers, and a 1 inch front lift. It's just a shame I'll be murdering my half shafts with that setup. I guess I was kinda hoping somebody would tell me coilovers and LT would be stuff enough not to need a sway bar on the road . I appreciate all the input.

hushpuff · March 25, 2021

I tow a 3400# enclosed sled trailer with up to 3 sleds and gear so closer to 7000#, on 37's with no swaybar on a Bajakits 4wd long travel kit. I have deavers in the rear but airbags on daystar pads. Runs great. Little under geared but the 6.2 tugs it all pretty good and trans temps stay right around 150-170.

There is some spindle modification required (grinding) to clear the LCA on this kit. I bought the swaybar links thinking I'd install them to tow in the winter but have not even considered putting them on. I would recommend going with the dirt king kit over the Baja Kits for fit, finish, and features.

Edited March 25, 2021 by hushpuff
Additional info

Juggsauce · March 25, 2021

29 minutes ago, hushpuff said:

I tow a 3400# enclosed sled trailer with up to 3 sleds and gear so closer to 7000#, on 37's with no swaybar on a Bajakits 4wd long travel kit. I have deavers in the rear but airbags on daystar pads. Runs great. Little under geared but the 6.2 tugs it all pretty good and trans temps stay right around 150-170.

There is some spindle modification required (grinding) to clear the LCA on this kit. I bought the swaybar links thinking I'd install them to tow in the winter but have not even considered putting them on. I would recommend going with the dirt king kit over the Baja Kits for fit, finish, and features.

Thanks so much for the input! So the truck doesn't sway too much under normal turns?

Now I've just gotta find a rim that can compensate a little for the 3 extra inches of control arm. They don't make fenders for the GMC to my knowledge so if I can have the track in the front only about 4 inches wider that would be perrrrfect!

hushpuff · March 25, 2021

I went with 0+ offset wheels and the KO2's are technically 36" but when I had stock fenders the tires definitely smashed them on full compression. The fiberwerx fenders clear great but don't do much for mud and road spray. I wish someone would come out with 6.5' bedsides. Tires still hit the factory fender liners as I re-used them and added HDPHE extensions to seal up the gap on the wider fender.

Truck sways more than stock for sure but it's never uncomfortable or unnerving. No sway bar upfront might just be my favorite mod after the kings.

Juggsauce · March 25, 2021

48 minutes ago, hushpuff said:

I went with 0+ offset wheels and the KO2's are technically 36" but when I had stock fenders the tires definitely smashed them on full compression. The fiberwerx fenders clear great but don't do much for mud and road spray. I wish someone would come out with 6.5' bedsides. Tires still hit the factory fender liners as I re-used them and added HDPHE extensions to seal up the gap on the wider fender.

Truck sways more than stock for sure but it's never uncomfortable or unnerving. No sway bar upfront might just be my favorite mod after the kings.

Hmm, at the biggest I'd probably go with 34s on mine, do you reckon they would still rub at full compression on stock fenders? No worries if youre not sure, probably gonna call the manufacturer today.

Edited March 25, 2021 by Juggsauce

hushpuff · March 25, 2021

Bajakits claims that 35's will fit without contacting so you should be fine at 34. Send an email over to [email protected], he'll be able to fill you in on tire size and wheel spacing, etc.

Juggsauce · March 25, 2021

Email sent, thanks for the email.

Juggsauce · March 25, 2021

5 hours ago, hushpuff said:

Bajakits claims that 35's will fit without contacting so you should be fine at 34. Send an email over to [email protected], he'll be able to fill you in on tire size and wheel spacing, etc.

One more question! Did he tell you there's a sale ending tomorrow? Planning on doing business with them in a few months but wanted to know if he says that to everyone