sonoma lift kits

mnstrmdnss · January 10, 2002

i have a 98 gmc sonoma 2wd, 2.2l, regular cab, stepside. im looking into getting a fabtech 1 1/2" suspension lift, and maybe a 2" body lift.

i have a few questions to some experts

with the supsension lift i want, you just replace the springs and add a balljoint spacer to get the camber back to fac specs( im not the shocks that are offered in the kit), if i just add the springs, i know my camber will be off a bit, is there enough adjustments in the front end to get it bak to specs without a special spacer? can i still use my original wheels, cause according to fabtech, i cant?! all im doing is puting on longer springs!

also, with a body lift on these newer trucks, is there enough slack in the wiring harness and hoses to lift the body 2"?

also, does anybody know where i can get a performance cam and/or exhause header for a '98 2.2L? i need some more power out of this engine.

hanx for the help!

Frank S · January 11, 2002

First of all,welcome to the forum.It's good to have you with us.

The body lift will work just fine with your truck.You shoud not have any trouble with the wiring harness.

About the Fabtech,I don't see why you can't use the factory wheels but your best bet would be to get in touch with Fabtech and see why they state you can't use the wheels.I wouldn't be concerned with the spacers to reset your camber because after a suspension lift it is very highly recomended that you have the front end realigned and the camber will be adjusted then.

Hope this helps you out some.

mnstrmdnss · January 12, 2002

i figured out my answer o the wheel question, and i measuered my original factory wheels and they have a 4" offset, and fabtech requires a 3 3/4" offset.

ive got another question?

ive been told by someone(dont remember who?) that with the basic fabtech lift kit( longer coil springs and balljoint spacers) that my balljoints would wear out faster cause their at a sharper angle. do you know of anyone that has used the basic lift kit and if they have a problem?

trhanx for all the help so far!

Frank S · January 14, 2002

I'm not really familiar with the specs of the Fabtech kit but I can tell you that in general,s-series ball joints are not the best in the world.

I would say that if the lift is designed in a manner that strains the front end at all then yes you would have ball joint problems.

skeeter · July 9, 2002

i put a 2" body lift on my 99 sonoma ext cab ZR2. i had to because 32x11.50 tires wont fit on stock lift. mine worked fine. no problem with the hoses or wiring harnesses. i do have a small vibration in the gas pedal when i accelerate. but it is nothin that is a real problem. it was really easy to put on too. it took me 1/2 a day by myself.