Going With The Fabtech.. Thoughts?

stlavsa · February 9, 2009

I THINK the fabtech is the lift for me.. I have been doing some searching and reading up on the fabtech and I got a couple things I would like to firm up with you guys that have it or have experience with it..

Truck is 08 silveraod ext cab 4wd with 20" XD wheels and Pro Comp extremes.

#1. The lift should work with my 20's that have a 5.14 backspace and +10 offset

#2. I have read that the 6" fabtech kit actually nets you 8" of lift. Which kit is that? I looked and seen a rear block kit, and add a leaf kit? Do they lift the same? One of the reasons I like the kit is more lift for the money, I will look at other kits as well if its actually just a 6" lift. (when you guys say it gets 8" of lift is that with the wheels and lift, or just the lift?)

#3. What do you guys with the lift think about it? Good lift? Glad you went with it? This is my first big suspension lift so I am green to the whole thing.

#4. Does the kit sit level? I dont like the lift to sag in the back.

I appreciate any comments or info you can give me.

blackout07 · February 9, 2009

I THINK the fabtech is the lift for me.. I have been doing some searching and reading up on the fabtech and I got a couple things I would like to firm up with you guys that have it or have experience with it..

Truck is 08 silveraod ext cab 4wd with 20" XD wheels and Pro Comp extremes.

#1. The lift should work with my 20's that have a 5.14 backspace and +10 offset

#2. I have read that the 6" fabtech kit actually nets you 8" of lift. Which kit is that? I looked and seen a rear block kit, and add a leaf kit? Do they lift the same? One of the reasons I like the kit is more lift for the money, I will look at other kits as well if its actually just a 6" lift. (when you guys say it gets 8" of lift is that with the wheels and lift, or just the lift?)

#3. What do you guys with the lift think about it? Good lift? Glad you went with it? This is my first big suspension lift so I am green to the whole thing.

#4. Does the kit sit level? I dont like the lift to sag in the back.

I appreciate any comments or info you can give me.

I am not running a Fabtech, but a good friend is on his 08 and he loves it (no problems or complaints in a year and a half). To start with your wheels, I'm pretty sure that they will fit just fine. As far as the Fabtech actually being an 8" lift...can't say for sure. I can tell you that my buddy's 08 Chevy with a 6" Fabtech, 3" body lift, and 35's sits level with my truck. So, either my BDS is close to 8" as well or the Fabtech is in reallity closer to 6". And the lift height, is referred to without the tires. With that being said, Fabtech is an excellent kit and one of the most recommended. The truck will sit level and you will be very satisfied. Now go and get it done and post pics.

stlavsa · February 9, 2009

I THINK the fabtech is the lift for me.. I have been doing some searching and reading up on the fabtech and I got a couple things I would like to firm up with you guys that have it or have experience with it..

Truck is 08 silveraod ext cab 4wd with 20" XD wheels and Pro Comp extremes.

#1. The lift should work with my 20's that have a 5.14 backspace and +10 offset

#2. I have read that the 6" fabtech kit actually nets you 8" of lift. Which kit is that? I looked and seen a rear block kit, and add a leaf kit? Do they lift the same? One of the reasons I like the kit is more lift for the money, I will look at other kits as well if its actually just a 6" lift. (when you guys say it gets 8" of lift is that with the wheels and lift, or just the lift?)

#3. What do you guys with the lift think about it? Good lift? Glad you went with it? This is my first big suspension lift so I am green to the whole thing.

#4. Does the kit sit level? I dont like the lift to sag in the back.

I appreciate any comments or info you can give me.

I am not running a Fabtech, but a good friend is on his 08 and he loves it (no problems or complaints in a year and a half). To start with your wheels, I'm pretty sure that they will fit just fine. As far as the Fabtech actually being an 8" lift...can't say for sure. I can tell you that my buddy's 08 Chevy with a 6" Fabtech, 3" body lift, and 35's sits level with my truck. So, either my BDS is close to 8" as well or the Fabtech is in reallity closer to 6". And the lift height, is referred to without the tires. With that being said, Fabtech is an excellent kit and one of the most recommended. The truck will sit level and you will be very satisfied. Now go and get it done and post pics.

Thanks for the input, appreciate it. I already put a message through to a friend of mine who owns a fab shop to get one, I am waiting to hear back from him, seeing its monday I expect to hear today. Right now my wheels have 305/55/20 tires on (33.2 x 12) and I was a little afraid they would look small on there. (and I am hoping to run the 33's till they wear out, then do gears and 35's)

But with your truck you have the extra 3" of lift and only and extra 2" of tires and it looks fine so I think I will be ok temporarily witht the 33's. They are the procomp xtreme A/Ts with about 8,000 on em they are like new, but now I am gonna end up trying to wear em down quick!!

you never measured your actual lift height with the bds? the other lift kit I was looking at was the Zone kit 6.5" and made by the same guys as the bds lift. I changed me mind for the fabtech because I thought it was a higher lift.

blackout07 · February 9, 2009

Na, I never measured before all was said and done. The 305/55's will look fine. A lot of the dealerships in my area are putting Fabtechs on the new GM's with that size tire.

MarkD · February 9, 2009

Our local dealer was selling "customized" new trucks with 35's and the 6" lift you mention. They have done quite a business over the past couple of years. They have, however, had warranty claims rejected by GM on some suspension problems. The dealer has, on its own dime, fixed the problems (the upgrade alone had about a $4k markup).

THE REMEDY WAS TO REPLACE LOOSE BOLTS AND TACK WELD THE NEW BOLTS TO PREVENT VIBRATION FROM LOOSENING THE SUSPENSION.

Having said that, you may want to tack weld the nuts and bolts on your new suspension.

Just a suggestion.

J-man67 · February 9, 2009

Our local dealer was selling "customized" new trucks with 35's and the 6" lift you mention. They have done quite a business over the past couple of years. They have, however, had warranty claims rejected by GM on some suspension problems. The dealer has, on its own dime, fixed the problems (the upgrade alone had about a $4k markup).

THE REMEDY WAS TO REPLACE LOOSE BOLTS AND TACK WELD THE NEW BOLTS TO PREVENT VIBRATION FROM LOOSENING THE SUSPENSION.

Having said that, you may want to tack weld the nuts and bolts on your new suspension.

Just a suggestion.

I know (not personally) a good 15+ guys running the Fabtech and I have never heard of the problem you mention above.

J-man67 · February 9, 2009

I THINK the fabtech is the lift for me.. I have been doing some searching and reading up on the fabtech and I got a couple things I would like to firm up with you guys that have it or have experience with it..

Truck is 08 silveraod ext cab 4wd with 20" XD wheels and Pro Comp extremes.

#1. The lift should work with my 20's that have a 5.14 backspace and +10 offset

#2. I have read that the 6" fabtech kit actually nets you 8" of lift. Which kit is that? I looked and seen a rear block kit, and add a leaf kit? Do they lift the same? One of the reasons I like the kit is more lift for the money, I will look at other kits as well if its actually just a 6" lift. (when you guys say it gets 8" of lift is that with the wheels and lift, or just the lift?)

#3. What do you guys with the lift think about it? Good lift? Glad you went with it? This is my first big suspension lift so I am green to the whole thing.

#4. Does the kit sit level? I dont like the lift to sag in the back.

I appreciate any comments or info you can give me.

You will not be disappointed. As I have said before, all of the kits for these trucks are basically the same and all are pretty good with the exception of the new RC kit. They ALL even use the same cast steering knuckle. I have had mine on for about 2-3,000 miles and no complaints. I love it. I have been off-roading quite a few times with it too. I chose the Fabtech b/c it is a little bigger then the other 6"ers, and its STRONG. The kit links the x-member drops together with 2 steel bars, then there is a set of impact bars that go from the rear x-member drops to the tranny x-member. Although some kits have/offer the impact bars, most do not link the drop members together. At least from what I have seen.

1. Your wheels should be fine.

2. The Fabtech is bigger then 6". I measured the drop brackets and diff drop hole-to-hole and it measures 8". That is for any of the kits (basic, performance 2.5, and 4.0) for these trucks. The Fabtech kit uses a block and Add-a-leaf to achieve the rear lift. There is no one or the other, unless you choose to leave one which would leave your rear sagging!

3. As I have said before, I love it and very happy with my decision. I also found the instructions to be a lot better then some of the others. More pictures and details were a plus for me! I had to call them for a question, but they were closed due to it being a holiday. I left a message and they called first thing the next AM. By then I figured it out, but still very nice and helpful.

4. Kit sits pretty level. I have used a level to check it, and it is. I think its the way the bed is designed that may give it the look of not being level. I am ditching the block and add-a-leaf and getting new spring packs to bring it up a little more, b/c it does sag when loaded down/towing.

Well, good luck. I think you will be very happy with it. Good luck!

Here is a pic of that support bar I was talking about. Its bolted between the drop members. The skid also connects to both.

Finished Product:

stlavsa · February 10, 2009

Thanks for all the input guys, I am confident that the fabtech is what im going to go with. Glad to hear you guys either run it or know alot of people who do. I am still waiting to hear if my guy deals with the fabtech. If not I guess I'll be ordering the fabtech online even if it will cost me a little more.

Jman thanks for the pics, your truck looks real good, I like that color alot, I almost went with it but I went with the graystone, and I would be happy with either. I really like the look of the 35's on there but the 305/55/20's will have to do for now. Everyone says it will look fine so I genuinely hopeso.

I do some highway driving from time to time to get to motocross events so I think the smaller tires are gonna be better for me on the highway. On the same note, I'll have to see how the truck looks with my bike and gear loaded up in teh back, it sags a tad now with the leveling kit on so its not too big of a deal but I might have to fix it if it sags too much with the new lift. I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. Thanks again!