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A Little Help (regarding A Lift)?

mstafford

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mstafford Enthusiast

mstafford

Posted
Posted

Hey guys, I've got nowhere else to turn. I have a 2000 Silverado Z71 with the 5spd. manual tranny/4.8L V8. I want to keep stock driveline geometry and ride quality, but I want to be able to run some bigger tires and increase the clearance (just a couple inches). I'd like to stay away from screwing with the torsion bars (since it messes with camber/toe-in and screws with ride quality). I really want to add some beefier parts to my IFS system, but I don't know of anyone that makes a ready-fabbed kit. Is this going to have to be a custom job? Is there some way to possibly use Rancho's Quick-Lift shocks in my earlier-model silvy (the rancho quicklifts are meant for the 07+ models).

 

Also, is shaving/cutting the fenders and option on this truck? Here's my thinking: beef up the IFS and shave fenders so I can run 35s with no suspension lift. That would be my optimum setup. Is this a possiblity?

 

Any input is appreciated...

hodo78 Enthusiast

hodo78

Posted
Posted
Hey guys, I've got nowhere else to turn. I have a 2000 Silverado Z71 with the 5spd. manual tranny/4.8L V8. I want to keep stock driveline geometry and ride quality, but I want to be able to run some bigger tires and increase the clearance (just a couple inches). I'd like to stay away from screwing with the torsion bars (since it messes with camber/toe-in and screws with ride quality). I really want to add some beefier parts to my IFS system, but I don't know of anyone that makes a ready-fabbed kit. Is this going to have to be a custom job? Is there some way to possibly use Rancho's Quick-Lift shocks in my earlier-model silvy (the rancho quicklifts are meant for the 07+ models).

 

Also, is shaving/cutting the fenders and option on this truck? Here's my thinking: beef up the IFS and shave fenders so I can run 35s with no suspension lift. That would be my optimum setup. Is this a possiblity?

 

Any input is appreciated...

 

 

 

If I correctly understand what your asking, there are plenty of lift kits for your truck that will allow you to run 35in tires. I would advise installing lower gears though (i.e. 4.10 or 4.56) though.

 

Here is a link to one of many kits for sale.

 

http://www.roughcountry.com/chevy_4wd_99-06_6.html

 

 

If I didnt understand you for some reason, please disregard my post.

2000DV4.8 Senior Enthusiast

2000DV4.8

Posted
Posted
Hey guys, I've got nowhere else to turn. I have a 2000 Silverado Z71 with the 5spd. manual tranny/4.8L V8. I want to keep stock driveline geometry and ride quality, but I want to be able to run some bigger tires and increase the clearance (just a couple inches). I'd like to stay away from screwing with the torsion bars (since it messes with camber/toe-in and screws with ride quality). I really want to add some beefier parts to my IFS system, but I don't know of anyone that makes a ready-fabbed kit. Is this going to have to be a custom job? Is there some way to possibly use Rancho's Quick-Lift shocks in my earlier-model silvy (the rancho quicklifts are meant for the 07+ models).

 

Also, is shaving/cutting the fenders and option on this truck? Here's my thinking: beef up the IFS and shave fenders so I can run 35s with no suspension lift. That would be my optimum setup. Is this a possiblity?

 

Any input is appreciated...

 

There is no way to make the Rancho quick-lift work on a truck with torsion bars, and if there was, it would do the exact same thing to the suspension geometry as cranking the torsion bars.

 

I can't really help when it comes to beefing up the IFS.

 

As far as fitting 35s on stock suspension, it pretty much ain't happening without a TON of trimming, and even then, it's questionable. If you don't want to mess with the suspension geometry, you might be able to fit the 35s with some fiberglass pre-runner fenders (and/or a body lift and some massive trimming, I don't know for sure at all though).

 

Why don't you want to go with a suspension lift?

JoshRDavis.84 Senior Enthusiast

JoshRDavis.84

Posted
Posted

A body lift would prolly be cheaper than beefing up your front suspension. Couple that with 1.5 inch of t-bar crank and you could maybe do 35s but may still be trimming.

 

Also what gear do you have? 35's with the 4.8 is gonna really make a difference.

 

 

Why don't you want to go with a suspension lift?

 

+1

Matt_ Senior Enthusiast

Matt_

Posted
Posted

First, here's how you can beef up some of the front end steering components:

1) Cognito tie rod kit: http://cognitomotorsports.com/store/page21.html

2) Pitman and Idler arm supports: http://cognitomotorsports.com/store/page24.html

 

Second, Throw on a body lift first to get you 3 more inches of clearance for the tires (done right, a BL will look fine on your 2000 model year truck since it doesnt show a lot of frame)

 

Then from there, a lot is going to depend on which tire and wheel combo you want. I'd recommend finding an 8" wide wheel (not 7.5 and not 8.5) with 5.5" backspace (or 5" max) and put on a set of 35x12.5 (not 35x13 and not 35x13.5)... this will give you the least amount of trimming. but let me be CLEAR, you WILL have to trim quite a bit and may have to resort cranking your stock t-bars about an inch if they still rub. But at least you'll have a chance

 

You could also get fiberglass fenders.... but then you're getting into the aspect of "why bother?" and just go with a suspension lift.

mstafford Enthusiast

mstafford

Posted
  • Author
Posted

ok thanks a lot guys: I can always count on the forums here.

 

I don't want a suspension lift for a number of reasons:

1) Chevy spent obscene amounts of money developing their trucks, and specifically their IFS system, to withstand a beating in a certain geometry (IE: the trucks are engineered to work with stock or close-to-stock height and width). My truck has almost 111,000 miles on it, and I don't want to overstress any parts that don't need it.

 

2) I don't necessarily like the look of a lifted truck. I'm a functional kind of guy, and I don't rock crawl my road rig. I do occasionally take it in the woods and dunes, so I want some beefier rubber and better suspension components that possess more endurance. A lift kit doesn't necessarily give your truck more endurance, and in most cases, it can actually take endurance AWAY from the truck. So, in conclusion, not only do I want just a better built truck, I also want it to handle as close to stock as possible AND be able to navigate some beach sand.

 

 

But again, thanks to all for your posts. It helped a lot!

Matt_ Senior Enthusiast

Matt_

Posted
Posted

.... just a thought- but a good knuckle kit (like the superlift FIT kit) will actually decrease the wear on your balljoints, especially when set to 5" of increased ride height instead of 6". It also has adjustable compression stops, so the ride can be adjusted softer/firmer by shimming the compression stops; this is actually designed into the system from GM.

 

So:

1) you're geometry will stay within the range GM designed it for

2) you can adjust the ride the way GM designed to adjust for it

3) you increase the mechanical advantage that the balljoints have over the knuckle (so its like having stronger balljoints)

4) you'll have 4-5" more clearance for the frame which may be handy for those those few offroad adventures.

 

IMO, combining the FIT kit with the Cognito steering upgrades sounds like the perfect combination from what you've described that you want.

mikystyle Enthusiast

mikystyle

Posted
Posted

35s without a lift is going to be tough unless you whip the sawzall out. As far as fitting 35s goes, I would suggest getting a 4" lift and doing a little trimming as most 4" lifts recommend 33s. Just start doing some research on 4" lifts as there are a ton.

JoshRDavis.84 Senior Enthusiast

JoshRDavis.84

Posted
Posted

I do not know a lot about the Cognito kits, just what I have read, but it sounds like that would be a good place to start. You would have a "better built truck" as you said, as far as the front end is concerned.

 

If you can pony up for the suspension lift that Matt recommended it sounds like the way to go.

 

 

 

Matt, does Cognito make a leveling kit for the 6 lug trucks? They list it for 8 lug trucks in the online store, not 6 lug, but in the pdf catalog it shows one for 6 lug. That would atleast allow for 33's I think. I dont know much about it or what all would be different in the 3/4 tons.

Matt_ Senior Enthusiast

Matt_

Posted
Posted
Matt, does Cognito make a leveling kit for the 6 lug trucks? They list it for 8 lug trucks in the online store, not 6 lug, but in the pdf catalog it shows one for 6 lug. That would atleast allow for 33's I think. I dont know much about it or what all would be different in the 3/4 tons.

 

Yes, but the leveling kits kill the front suspension angles and also result in a very stiff ride- exactly what the OP is trying to avoid.

JoshRDavis.84 Senior Enthusiast

JoshRDavis.84

Posted
Posted
Matt, does Cognito make a leveling kit for the 6 lug trucks? They list it for 8 lug trucks in the online store, not 6 lug, but in the pdf catalog it shows one for 6 lug. That would atleast allow for 33's I think. I dont know much about it or what all would be different in the 3/4 tons.

 

Yes, but the leveling kits kill the front suspension angles and also result in a very stiff ride- exactly what the OP is trying to avoid.

 

 

I thought the cognito kit was not the typical torsion key kit. I guess I didnt read through the product description correctly. Plus I certainly no expert on this subject. :)

 

:thumbs:

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