1/2 ton IFS lift with larger tires-strength?

[gtj]

Dear Group,

 

I see the larger diameter tires put on the half ton IFS trucks being allowed by the lift kits is commonplace.

 

I am wondering if there are any problems with the differentials, axle shafts or CV joints arising from the additional strain of the larger tires, such as 37/38inchers during off roading.

 

Are there any lift kits that allow for the swap in of a 3/4 ton front assembly on a 1/2 ton truck to beef up these components and make them less prone to failure? I can understand on the newer trucks wanting to use the existing components, but on an older vehicle with some miles on it, the 3/4 ton swap in may be a consideration.

 

I have a '95 1/2 ton Suburban with 250,000K on it and am researching the lifting possibilities. Because of the vehicles size, I feel a tire of the 37-38 inch range would look better, give better approach/departure angles, and increase the ground clearance. I was tending toward a solid front axle swap, but the IFS lifts seem to be doing a great job and the SFA swap looks like a major undertaking both time-wise and financially. Any comments appreciated.

 

Thanks,

Glenn

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[Freyguy]

I think on the newer trucks it's just the difference in the torsion bars, but I'm not 100% sure. I know the pitman/idler/tierods, etc are all the same.

 

I think with any bigger tire on an ifs that your going to put more wear on ball joints, tie rods, hubs, pitman/idler, etc. I think the only way to get rid of all that is a solid axle swap, but like you said, thats too much cash! If GM does come out with an SFA truck, I'll just go that route.

[Mighty HD]

You've got to be crazy to run 38's on a 10 bolt rear end and weak front end.

 

Honest.

[highrides05]

it is okay to run that size no problem at all i have 2005 sierra 1500 half ton with 20" wheels and 37" tires if you set the lift kits up correctly you can do it, you can get more ride height out of a 1/2 ton than a 3/4 ton i have this a my best buddy has the same set up on his 2500 and he couldn't clear the 37's i have no problem at all with them.

[XR Man]

it is okay to run that size no problem at all i have 2005 sierra 1500 half ton with 20" wheels and 37" tires if you set the lift kits up correctly you can do it, you can get more ride height out of a 1/2 ton than a 3/4 ton i have this a my best buddy has the same set up on his 2500 and he couldn't clear the 37's i have no problem at all with them.

 

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Ya, but do you wheel it?

[highrides05]

it is okay to run that size no problem at all i have 2005 sierra 1500 half ton with 20" wheels and 37" tires if you set the lift kits up correctly you can do it, you can get more ride height out of a 1/2 ton than a 3/4 ton i have this a my best buddy has the same set up on his 2500 and he couldn't clear the 37's i have no problem at all with them.

 

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Ya, but do you wheel it?

 

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Yes i do where ever it will fit,lol last time it was stuck up to the door handles, wish i would of had a winch on that one

[03HD]

Having owned and wheel'd a 91 half ton running 36x14.50 tires and 4.56 gears I offer the following...Most people will tell you not to run larger than 35" tires on the half ton ifs if you are using it for off-road. My experiance has found this to be true with my set-up. When in areas of high articulation the half-shaft angles become less than ideal and the CV housing will bust out before the tire looses traction. In the course of about 1-1/2 years I replaced 4 front half shafts that all broke in similar fashion...one even breaking the axle tube extending to the passanger side. (this is why I bought the 03 2500HD in hopes the components would be stronger) Anyway, just my 2 cents

[vhato]

My '00 Z-71 with 9" of lift and 37's didn't last long. IMO it is just too much weight for the components. The 10-Bolt rear axle just isn't built to assume those torque loads all the time. Ratios like 3.42-4.10 put the strain of turning huge tires on the transmission whereas ratios like 4.56-5.13 place it on the the carrier first then to the axle shafts. I have cracked (or seen cracked) several carriers (never an axle shaft though) in a 10-bolt.

 

I also kept going through steering components. The 37s were just too much weight. Back in the day I would argue anyone who told me I was crazy to do it, now that I look back and realize I was crazy. When I hit 160k I just got tired of working on the truck. It was a street queen most of the time and everytime I would press the 4Hi button, something would weaken, the ride would go to crap and I would have to repair it before failure.

 

It was weird, I ran 2-sets of 37" SSR's. Then one day, I cracked the carrier and then everything else just started to follow it.

 

Here is a pic of my truck 2 days (160,000 miles) before trade in. Does she look abused??? Nope, but she was a piece of $hit!!

 

[juicy]

anything more than 35 with an ifs is going to be hell, busted cvs, steering problems, steering parts wearing out time and time again..

 

 

ah constant maintenece, cvs being rebuilt, idler arms getting changed, pittman arms getting changed.. constant rotation of tires

 

this is my life with a half ton with 6in lift, 3in body and 35in tires.

 

with 38's

 

i dont want to even imagine what life would be like.