Superlift Silverado

chevy4x4trucks · August 23, 2001

I'm planning on setting my truck up with a superlift 6" suspension lift and was just curious as to what others have experienced with this. I just wanted to know how well the truck would run with 35" tires, 4.8 liter V8 and 3.73 gears. I have a few performance mods, but not much, it's mostly stock. Has anyone else done this? And if so, was there a big difference in performance, handling, or gas mileage? Any info would be appreciated.

NeXuS1 · August 23, 2001

i dont know about the new trucks but i would think that the 4.8l would not be happy with the 35s, you could try it and if its slow change your gearing. or run lots and lots of boost on a reallllly built engine.

DigUout · August 23, 2001

I would think with the 4.8 and 3.73's you're going to be severely underpowered to turn 35's, and yes, bigger tires = less MPG, ie rolling resistance. You could go up to 4.10's or 4.56's, but then you're MPG just went in the toilet and it still would put a big strain on that 4.8.

I see those with lifts say the handling improves with a suspension lift. Problem for you is with those new Ranchos, you're going to have to get different ones to compensate for the new length needed by adding 6 inches of lift!

The man to ask around here is Kaspar139. He's just gone through the same thing you're considering-

BIGRED · August 24, 2001

I DID THE RANCHO 4" OR IF RANCHO'S INSURANCE CO IS NOT ONLINE 5 1/2" LIFT. I PUT B.F.G'S ON. I HAVE THE 5.3 VORTEC. YOU MIGHT BE A LITTLE UNDERPOWERED, BUT IT SHOULD STILL WORK. MY RIDE QUALITY HAS GONE UP SINCE THE MODS. YOURS SHOULD TO, MINUS THE POWER. GO WITH GEAR SWAP LATER IF U THINK IT IS LACKING THE POWER.

chevy4x4trucks · August 24, 2001

Well, it's about time someone said something positive. I was talking to another guy w/ a regular cab with a 4.8 and he had a 6" lift, 3" body, and was running 38's, he said (with hind sight being 20/20) that he should've stuck with the 6" and 35's.

BIGRED · August 24, 2001

I think most people think in terms of power. Your truck is what you make of it. Do the lift and tires for now and add the gears if you think you need them. Stay positive man.

y2kz71 · August 24, 2001

Hey BIGRED you have a very nice truck, I really like that red color and it goes well with your Rancho lift. One question or comment, you need to make your pictures able to enlarge on your website so we could all get a better look. Once again, nice truck.

John

kaspar139 · August 24, 2001

Indeed the I have the Rancho 4", and 33"s and with the 5.3L vortec. I think it feels extremely underpowered compared to my stock configuration. I am actually having the gears installed on Monday-Wednesday of next week (as they will take 3 days), and then I will give you the update on what a 3.73 to 4.10 swap is like.

I also have the 3" body lift to enable me to take 35"s comfortably, but I am not doin that any time soon (the 4.10s should be ok with the 35"s, but we'll see) ;)

I would say with a 4.8L, you will probably want the gear swap for the power off the line, and for any towing you plan on doing. If you live in a hilly area, then you will very quickly agree with that. My $.02

By the way, I don't see that you mentioned what kind of tires & rims you are going with? Good luck!

-BigRed, I dig those rims! They rock, bad a$$ rig!

(Edited by kaspar139 at 8:32 am on Aug. 24, 2001)

y2kz71 · August 24, 2001

I have the Rancho kit and 33's with the 5.3l and 4.10 gears and my truck runs just fine and has alot of power. Now when I get my new bigger tires that may be a different story. Hey kaspar I finally got my truck aligned at a firestone at Jones Rd. and FM1960 and the trucks drives great now. I went with that store because they have a tech thats been there 18 years and specializes in 4WD's with lifts. His name is Dallas. The cost was ?.99

Awsum00z · August 24, 2001

Chevy4x4trucks,

Finding a match between your new tire size and gears will be a good start for you. Four Wheeler magazine has several formulas, to plug your tire size & gear ratio into, to give you an idea what your engine rpm's will be with the new steup. I'll try to locate the formula and post it or email it to you.

The only downfall with the new motors is that the torque peak comes in at a higher rpm than the old ones. I don't know about you guys, but I don't make a habit of taching my truck to 4000 rpm's when I start out from a stop. I have 4.10's and I run 265's and I like the combo. At 70 mph I'm taching right around 2200 rpms. I would like to keep it around 2000 rpm's, but until I can get my 4 inch lift to run 33's I'll live with it.

If I was going with 35's I would consider a gear swap to 4.56's. I have the 5.3, but with the 4.8 liter motor I would give it some more serious consideration. Then again, a Whipple Supercharger would give you some extra torque and hp to handle the bigger tires. But a gear swap would be a heck of a lot cheaper.

I agree with BIGRED, if you have the funds do the lift and make the mods if you feel you need them later.

Rick

Awsome truck BIGRED!!!!!!

kaspar139 · August 24, 2001

Good info y2Kz71, appreciate it. Is that ?.99 a lifetime alignment??? Just curious, and am glad to hear you like your 4.10 gears. Do you think the power is just like it was stock with your 4.10s? Or does it feel quicker, or just a bit slower? Thanks!

TeamGreen · September 1, 2001

I have a 6" super lift wih 33 12.5's and it isnt as big as you think it will be. Do you know if superlifts are a little small? I dont think 35's will fits on a 6" lift without a body lift too.

vhato · September 1, 2001

35's should fit a truck with 6"s of lift on 16x8's. 16x10 would require 3"s of lift. I agree with TEAMGREEN. My truck has 9" of total lift and it doesn't look that high and 35x12.50's on 16x10's look kinda wimpy. I would be happier with a 36x14.50 or 37x14.50. Anyway, 3.73's on 35's sux. Hole shot blew, gas mileage went to nothing, handling improved. Coulda' been the BilStein 5100's though. 4.56's and a PPIII solved my woes........

(Edited by vhato at 11:33 am on Sep. 1, 2001)