Basic Body lift question

[Domano 68]

I am looking to lift my new 05 Z71 a couple of inches. I'd like to add larger tires, possible 33s.

 

I'd like a simple lift that is not that expensive. I also do not want to get into having to adjust drive shaft angles, adjust motor height, radiator position, or anything like that. Any nothing that would greatly affect the ride or performance of the truck. I do not care about gas mileage loss. Just a simple lift that give me 2" or so.

 

I've heard the term "crank up the torsion bars" but have no idea what that is or how much lift I'd get out of it. Would adding leafs to the leaf springs do anything worthwhile?

 

Any opinions or suggestions much appreciated. Thanks!

[vhato]

I am looking to lift my new 05 Z71 a couple of inches.  I'd like to add larger tires, possible 33s.

 

I'd like a simple lift that is not that expensive.  I also do not want to get into having to adjust drive shaft angles, adjust motor height, radiator position, or anything like that.  Any nothing that would greatly affect the ride or performance of the truck.  I do not care about gas mileage loss.  Just a simple lift that give me 2" or so. 

 

I've heard the term "crank up the torsion bars" but have no idea what that is or how much lift I'd get out of it.  Would adding leafs to the leaf springs do anything worthwhile? 

 

Any opinions or suggestions much appreciated. Thanks! 

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

Cranking the T-Bars will give you what you are looking for. 2" is about right. If you buy a set of Ford Torsion Bar Index Keys you can get more. Just climb under your truck, locate your T-bars and trace them to the middle of the truck. You will see a bolt on either side. Just turn the bolt clock wise and watch the front end raise up. 2" will require the drivers side bolt to be turned as much as possible, whereas the passenger side won't need as much.

 

The rear can be lifted VERY cheaply also. Drive to AutoZone or whatever parts place you got. Most of them stock 3" Lift Blocks ($50 I think) as well as Longer U-Bolts. remove the stock 2" Block and add these for an extra inch on the cheap side. 5.5" Blocks are available, but without a suspension lift, they aren't necessary.

 

A 3" Body Lift from Performance Accessories is a great idea for you. When I did it on my old 2000 Z-71, I actually reduced the cooling ability of the Fan. In 2005, GM swtiched to dual electric fans, so adding thje Body Lift on your truck will have no cooling impact. Plus the 3" Ride Height looks great. I think it was $280.00.

 

So add the Body Lift ($280), + 3" Rear Lift Blocks ($50+$20 for U-Bolts) and crank the T-bars (Free) for about a 5" Ride Height Increase for about $350.00. You can't beat that deal. Your truck will be as high as suspension lift only truck with a Fabtech, Trailmaster, Rancho or RCD Spindle type lift. That is what I did before getting bit by the Lift bug and adding the suspension lift. 5" of lift is good for a 35" tire on an 8" wide wheel or a 10" wheel with a little valence trim.

[pm26]

With that mod, your gas mileage will drop significantly.

[elgineddie]

I lifted my 2001 Suburban K2500 with a 3" body lift. It gave me enough room to fit H2 wheels and tires under it. I wasted a set of 31" tires after doing the torsion bar crank and not having the proper alignment completed... after a few thousand miles, my front tires were worn-out, badly cupped and basically worthless because of the poor-man's torsion bar lift. DON'T DO IT!!

 

Get the body lift and spend a weekend in the garage installing it. You will be much happier in the long run.

 

Ed

[alan300]

I lifted my 2001 Suburban K2500 with a 3" body lift. It gave me enough room to fit H2 wheels and tires under it. I wasted a set of 31" tires after doing the torsion bar crank and not having the proper alignment completed... after a few thousand miles, my front tires were worn-out, badly cupped and basically worthless because of the poor-man's torsion bar lift. DON'T DO IT!!

 

Get the body lift and spend a weekend in the garage installing it. You will be much happier in the long run.

 

Ed

 

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Thanks for that Elgineddie. I've always wondered about ruining the tires. Although, if you're just riding on stock tires, it's a good way to hurry up and use them up so you can buy some nice bigger and meaner tires without the wife yelling too much.

[Domano 68]

Thanks much for your replies.

[Shocker]

I lifted my 2001 Suburban K2500 with a 3" body lift. It gave me enough room to fit H2 wheels and tires under it. I wasted a set of 31" tires after doing the torsion bar crank and not having the proper alignment completed... after a few thousand miles, my front tires were worn-out, badly cupped and basically worthless because of the poor-man's torsion bar lift. DON'T DO IT!!

 

Get the body lift and spend a weekend in the garage installing it. You will be much happier in the long run.

 

Ed

 

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Now I'm not an expert on this, but wouldn't proper alignment after cranking the t-bars have prevented the tires from being worn prematurely?

 

And Domano, I plan to lift my truck a couple inches and I plan to go about it by buying some torsion keys to lift the front and I'll probably add-a-leaf in the rear. That might be a relatively inexpensive option for you.