Skyjacker 3" Suspension Lift (99-06 Gmt800)

broys · March 3, 2008

I was just wondering if anyone has had experience with the Skyjacker 3" suspension lift. I've been thinking about getting it installed on my '04 GMC Sierra 1500 ext. cab 4x4, I'm really tired of the sagging front end look. I know it's so that the rear end doesn't squat when carrying heavy loads, but I've carried the maximum payload and it hasn't squatted. I don't really need or want a 6" lift because then I'd have to get new tires, wheels, and probably a regear as well. I was also looking at the Tuff Country 4" lift, but then I'd still have to get new tires and wheels. I really don't want to do that, I just bought BFG All-Terrain LT285/70-17 tires 8,000 miles ago.

If anyone has installed the 3" from Skyjacker, are you happy with it? Do you have any pictures? How is the ride with the Nitro shocks that can be purchased along with it? I'm kind of worried that I will spend almost $2,000 and won't be happy with the look and ride.

Thanks!

jhndizzle · March 3, 2008

tuff country all the way. your wheels and tires are fine for now im still running my 305/50/20 on a 7 inch fabtech lift and i still sit higher than other 6 inch lifts.

jhoff8487 · March 4, 2008

I've looked a lot at the SkyJacker 3" suspension/knuckle lift. I'd love to have one. They installed one on a F-150 on TRUCKS quite some time ago and it seemed to be a very good kit. 3" is precisely what I'm wanting. Anything more is too much for my tastes.

2000DV4.8 · March 4, 2008

Here's a truck with the Superlift 3.5" kit with 285's:

Here's the link to the topic: http://chevytruckworld.tenmagazines.com/ew...c.asp?id=187634

broys · March 4, 2008

Here's a truck with the Superlift 3.5" kit with 285's:

Here's the link to the topic: http://chevytruckworld.tenmagazines.com/ew...c.asp?id=187634

Hey, thanks for the link! That's exactly the look I'm going for. From what I read on superlift's website, I think I like it better than the Skyjacker. The only good thing about the Skyjacker is that it lets you return the truck to stock, but I will never do that anyway. What kind of shocks would you guys use with the Superlift?

marko · March 7, 2008

I bought the skyjacker today! I went through the installation instructions for it, and for the superlift. Much less cutting and alteration with the Skyjacker - truck can basically be returned to stock and there's no hacking off large portions of your diff or anything.

It's backordered till the 25th - I ordered from Summit. I can't wait for it to arrive - just in time for spring!

Kody · March 7, 2008

I purchased and installed the 3" Skyjacker with the Nitro Shocks. I think the ride is better than before, but in theory it shouldn't be any different. the truck had 75k miles on the original shocks, so I think that's why it's a better ride. I still have the stock rims, with 285 BF goodrich T/A's. It looks good with this setup, but when these tires wear out, I plan to do a 305 on a 10" wide rim (contrary to a lot of opinions, I prefer the wide tire look).

I did the installation myself, and it was straight forward. I chose this lift because it can go back to stock and there was not major cutting or welding. While I love the look of 6" lifts w/ 35's. It just wouldn't be as functional for me (loading dirtbikes and quads, parking garages, gas mileage, regearing, dog jumping in etc.)

The install took me about 20 hrs total, but I did everything myself. I did it over a pit, and spent a lot of time crawling in and out of the pit. If I did it again with one friend I think I could do it in 10-12 hrs (my friends seem to disappear on these days???) Make sure you check the parts lift prior to installation, I got a couple extra pieces of hard ware and had to run and buy a few missing things (standards nuts and bolts)

Only negative comment in my opinion are the front brake line and abs reloction brackets. I didn't feel I could pry the existing brake bracket off with out damaging, so I ended up doing my own system, but be cautious and make sure that all lines are in a location that the tires dont rub full lock either way (you can stick your head in see)

Also, I rented the torsion bar tool from ABQFirefighter on the site, and it worked out great for me. Saved some money and I did it the "safe" way

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...&hl=torsion

Scramble · March 8, 2008

I was thinking of this ProComp 3". Just another option if you don't want the 3" front tire kick out from the knuckle replacement. http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=75940

marko · March 10, 2008

I was thinking of this ProComp 3". Just another option if you don't want the 3" front tire kick out from the knuckle replacement. http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=75940

I wasn't aware that the knuckle replacement will result in a wider front stance - don't the knuckles just move down? There's no reason for them to move the tires out as well.

If they in fact push the tires out, then I want to know about it - and potentially cancel my order. If you have any other information post it here or PM me so that I can get to the bottom of this before the order ships.

And thanks!!

broys · March 10, 2008

I was thinking of this ProComp 3". Just another option if you don't want the 3" front tire kick out from the knuckle replacement. http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=75940

I wasn't aware that the knuckle replacement will result in a wider front stance - don't the knuckles just move down? There's no reason for them to move the tires out as well.

If they in fact push the tires out, then I want to know about it - and potentially cancel my order. If you have any other information post it here or PM me so that I can get to the bottom of this before the order ships.

And thanks!!

I saw on Skyjacker's website that the difference is no more than 3/4" from stock.

Right now I'm not sure which lift I really want, Skyjacker 3" or Superlift 3.5. I'll probably go with whichever one is cheaper to install.

marko · March 10, 2008

I was thinking of this ProComp 3". Just another option if you don't want the 3" front tire kick out from the knuckle replacement. http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=75940

I wasn't aware that the knuckle replacement will result in a wider front stance - don't the knuckles just move down? There's no reason for them to move the tires out as well.

If they in fact push the tires out, then I want to know about it - and potentially cancel my order. If you have any other information post it here or PM me so that I can get to the bottom of this before the order ships.

And thanks!!

Okay so I phoned Skyjacker and am now quite capable of answering my own question. The 3" lift widens the track 3/4 of an inch! That would be a whole 3/8 of an inch on each side.

Needless to say, my order is staying. I'll let you all know when it comes in.

Scramble · March 10, 2008

I was thinking of this ProComp 3". Just another option if you don't want the 3" front tire kick out from the knuckle replacement. http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=75940

I wasn't aware that the knuckle replacement will result in a wider front stance - don't the knuckles just move down? There's no reason for them to move the tires out as well.

If they in fact push the tires out, then I want to know about it - and potentially cancel my order. If you have any other information post it here or PM me so that I can get to the bottom of this before the order ships.

And thanks!!

Okay so I phoned Skyjacker and am now quite capable of answering my own question. The 3" lift widens the track 3/4 of an inch! That would be a whole 3/8 of an inch on each side.

Needless to say, my order is staying. I'll let you all know when it comes in.

Okay, maybe I was talking to an idiot at a certain lift dealer who told me all knuckle replacements increase the rack width 3" on chevys. Thanks for clearing that up. I hope your lift install is hassle free!

OmarR · March 11, 2008

I don't really need or want a 6" lift because then I'd have to get new tires, wheels, and probably a regear as well.

Just make sure that you stay within Skyjacker's specs. This link will help you:

http://www.skyjacker.com/image/catalog/pdf/tire%20chart.pdf

Their column labeled "offset" should labeled "backspacing". (I could be wrong, so someone feel free to correct me)

marko · March 11, 2008

I was thinking of this ProComp 3". Just another option if you don't want the 3" front tire kick out from the knuckle replacement. http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=75940

I think that kit is 5" in front and 3 in the rear....

marko · March 11, 2008

I was thinking of this ProComp 3". Just another option if you don't want the 3" front tire kick out from the knuckle replacement. http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=75940

I wasn't aware that the knuckle replacement will result in a wider front stance - don't the knuckles just move down? There's no reason for them to move the tires out as well.

If they in fact push the tires out, then I want to know about it - and potentially cancel my order. If you have any other information post it here or PM me so that I can get to the bottom of this before the order ships.

And thanks!!

Okay so I phoned Skyjacker and am now quite capable of answering my own question. The 3" lift widens the track 3/4 of an inch! That would be a whole 3/8 of an inch on each side.

Needless to say, my order is staying. I'll let you all know when it comes in.

Okay, maybe I was talking to an idiot at a certain lift dealer who told me all knuckle replacements increase the rack width 3" on chevys. Thanks for clearing that up. I hope your lift install is hassle free!

I hope so too, thanks! I reconfirmed with the guy, he said "overall track is wider by 3/4 of an inch" and he had to go look that up to be sure. So I asked him if he meant 3/8 of an inch per side and he said yes. I also asked him what wheels they recommended and he said 4-1/2" backspacing zero offset, which is what I have on the truck now. Guy was mad though that Summit wasn't shipping till the 25th of March. He said he had my kit in stock but couldn't sell it to me since Skyjacker doesn't sell direct.

Anyway, I expect to be perfectly happy with this lift kit, which should go nicely with the Bilstein 5100s I ordered and the Nitto Terra Grapplers which I will order later. I asked the guy what size tires they recommended and he said 285's. I am thinking of going 295 or 305 but will wait to see how my current 285's fit and then decide. The guy said that I could put 35's under there as long as I didn't drive over any bumps - kind of defeats the purpose of a lift kit though