2wd that wants to be lifted

PELICAN · June 6, 2004

I have a 02 ext cab 2wd with a 4.8 V8. With my swiss cheese memory I remember that you can not run steel rims(what I would like to have) on the 99 and up 1/2tons without having alignment problems but do not recall exactly why? I would like to raise my truck up atleast 3" for now but do not want to get aftermarket alloy rims because I would prefer to have all black rims or just stay with the stock rims. so basically I am looking for a lift kit that I would be able to use by stock rims with and would preferably use leafs springs in the rear instead of blocks. I am thinking of going teh the procomp lift because it uses a spindle to lift the front and leaf springs in the rear but does not say if stock rims will work? let me know if anyone has any tips or suggestions

steve99 · June 7, 2004

I have a 99 NBS 2wd ext cab and I had a fabtech 3" spindle kit put on. I believe the principle will be similar to the procomp and I did not have to change rims. I have the stock alloy GMC type rims. I know on the Fabtech recommends a rim with more offset ?(sticks out further) but my stock rims worked fine. Whether or not the steel rims are the same I don't know.

Let me know if you'd like a picture, it lifts and levels the truck nicely.

citydriver · June 7, 2004

You could always do a body lift and leave the suspesion alone

PELICAN · June 7, 2004

thanks steve if you could show me a pic of your truck lifted I would appreciate it.

steve99 · June 7, 2004

Here it is.

GnatGoSplat · June 7, 2004

I don't know much about lifting trucks so maybe you're talking about a different kind of steel rims than what I'm thinking of, but my truck came stock with steel rims! All the base model ones do.

DOGMAN · June 10, 2004

It doesn't look lifted... how much higher is that compared to a 4x4 of the same year & model?

steve99 · June 10, 2004

Remember we are talking 2 wheel drive, compared to a non-lifted 2wd its 3 inches in front and about 2 in back.

I believe that compared to a standard 4wd its actually just a touch higher in front but in back maybe about the same, that gives it a very level stance as opposed to the higher rear of the standard 4wd.

PELICAN · June 10, 2004

I don't know much about lifting trucks so maybe you're talking about a different kind of steel rims than what I'm thinking of, but my truck came stock with steel rims! All the base model ones do.

I don't know much about lifting trucks so maybe you're talking about a different kind of steel rims than what I'm thinking of, but my truck came stock with steel rims! All the base model ones do.

when I had a 99 GMC sierra i was going to lift it and put steel rims on it like the Rock Crawler - Series 51 and was told by a GMC dealership and two aftermarket stores that sell tires and rims that you cannot run steel rims on the new body style which is why most of them have alloy rims. i was also told by another salesman at a chevy dealership that the trucks that are sold that have the custom steel rims are always having problems with alignment

robsawatsky · June 10, 2004

when I had a 99 GMC sierra i was going to lift it and put steel rims on it like the Rock Crawler - Series 51 and was told by a GMC dealership and two aftermarket stores that sell tires and rims that you cannot run steel rims on the new body style which is why most of them have alloy rims. i was also told by another salesman at a chevy dealership that the trucks that are sold that have the custom steel rims are always having problems with alignment

I guess GM better stop putting those steel rims on the base models then. If the wheels are causing alignment problems it will be because they have some defect or the wrong offset.

All-in-all, another good example of why not to trust advice given by anyone trying to sell you something.