Silverado Ss

getpower · July 1, 2007

I am wondering if you can lift a Silverado SS. Actually, I'm sure you can b/c I saw one the other day. But my question is, what lift kit do you use?

Second, I would use the truck for hunting and dirt bike riding, if I get an AWD truck, will that act as a four-wheel-drive, or would I need to convert it somehow to a real part-time four-wheel-drive truck?

Third, if I did have to convert it, would it be pretty much a plug-and-play, install the t-case, and wire up the buttons and it's as simple as that? Has anyone done this?

What I mainly want to know is if the AWD system will act as a 4WD system when I need 4WD.

Schmids5.3l · July 1, 2007

www.silveradoss.com is a brother site of this site, ran by the same people. There are many people on there that are highly informative on just about anything that has to do with the Silverado SS. But the Silverado SS is much more of a sport truck.

Not all over them are AWD, I think they stopped making AWD versions after 2005, but the ones that are AWD are full time AWD.

getpower · July 1, 2007

I looked at that website and even registered, but I think that I could get more info here. I noticed that over there lifting an SS Silverado is like a sin. There was a post on it but they didn't answer the guys questions, they just kept saying "...why would you want to do that?"

Not all over them are AWD, I think they stopped making AWD versions after 2005, but the ones that are AWD are full time AWD.

I realize that. I would be thinking about getting like an '04.

Wingnut · July 1, 2007

Why don't you just buy a 4x4?

It would be cheaper (and easier) to buy a regular 4x4 and just change out a bit of sheetmetal to look like an SS if that's what you're going for.

getpower · July 1, 2007

I just want to know if it has been done and will work. It's not me wanting it to look like an SS. Its the fact that there is a true silverado ss that is lifted. The silverado ss also came with the 6L instead of the 5.3. Plus its all tuned and stuff. Its not that hard, I just want to know.

As for how the AWD would work for me. I'm not going hardcore mudding. Just staying on fireroads and if needed would like the front to pull me sometimes. Would that work? I'm not going to wheel the truck in any way, I just want it so pull when I go into a little dip or something with loose dirt in it. I went hunting just this weekend and that's what I did. I only want to know if the AWD will PULL if I need it to.

Schmids5.3l · July 1, 2007

Why wouldn't it pull? Its AWD....the front wheels receive power at all times.

You can get an Extended cab Silverado 4x4 with the same 6.0l Vortec max, and it's exactly the same as the SS. The only difference between a SS and a regular Silverado is the SS has a Body kit and sport suspension.

But to answer your question, I don't see why you couldn't lift a SS, just go under Sky Jacker or Procomp, or some other random truck suspension lift manufacturer and see if they have a kit for the SS. If not call their hot line and ask.

getpower · July 1, 2007

Thanks, that's what I thought.

Wingnut · July 2, 2007

Another thing you might want to consider, I don't know what the exact setup is on the Silverado SS...But on my AWD TBSS, the front diff is open, not locking...So if the Silverado SS is the same, it won't work so well for that.

Just thinking out loud here

Schmids5.3l · July 2, 2007

Hmm....thats a bitch!

If thats true I'm not sure the Silverado SS is ideal for your needs. But with a rear locker or L/S, and power to the front wheels (or 'wheel' when the other slips), I'm sure it would be pretty decent for some dirt roads and trails. I did some amazing things with my old 2wd Ford off road.

Wingnut · July 2, 2007

Like I said...I don't know what the setup is on the AWD Silverado SS. I don't even know what kind of transfer case it has.

The open diff in front doesn't hurt me a bit, as I don't EVER take it off-road.

Heck, I kinda like it...If it were locking, donuts would be MUCH harder.

Tucson_02Silverado · July 2, 2007

While AWD has all four wheels spinning, it's design is biased towards street handling, open diffs not lockers. For offroad usage, you'd be better off with a "traditional" 4WD system.

Is there a real reason you need a 6.0 for offroad uses? You don't just power your way through, offroading is finese driving not go go speedracer. If you are really worried about power, get a 2500 with a 8.1 or a duramax.

But it should be possible to lift a SS with a full kit with springs and shocks. Most likely you'll just get laughed at when asking any of the suppliers for a kit for an SS.

Next we'll get asked if it's possible to spark a TopKick.

cmoore74 · July 2, 2007

I'm not trying to bash your idea, but you really should consider a regular 4x4, not the SS. You're going to pay a lot more $ over a regular 4x4 because the truck is an SS and then put more money into it to convert it into not being an SS by lifting it.

If you want the 6.0L and wanted to stay 1/2 ton you could buy a used 1500HD with the Z71. I'm not sure when they started making them, but I recall seeing them around for a few years.

If you're truly power hungry you could top it off with a supercharger.

SweatyAppleSauce · July 2, 2007

quite frankly, I think your insane to even think about lifting an SS. Ever see a corvette with offroad tires on it? same thing.

asilverblazer · July 2, 2007

Lifting it should not be a problem. All the mounting points of a traditional lift kit would more thatn likely be identical on the SS. How well it would work as far as the T-Case goes is another story. If you want the 6.0 in a 1/2 ton package want it lifted, and don't mind swapping the T-Case. Then go for it. Resale might suffer a bit.

TEE · July 2, 2007

Lifting it should not be a problem. All the mounting points of a traditional lift kit would more thatn likely be identical on the SS. How well it would work as far as the T-Case goes is another story. If you want the 6.0 in a 1/2 ton package want it lifted, and don't mind swapping the T-Case. Then go for it. Resale might suffer a bit.

That's just silly