Zone 6.5" Vs Competition?

ouscadam · May 16, 2009

Hello all, just want to say I love this forum, it keeps guys like me, from making big mistakes! All of you who are so knowlegable and helpful, thanks a bunch. On to my few questions. I have an 08 Ext Cab Silverado LT1 5.3 4wd. I plan to do a few major upgrades. I already bought a readylift leveling kit, which I love and found very easy to install. It however is not enough lift for me, so I plan to go to a 6" or 6.5" suspension. I have researched for weeks to find the kit that suits me and my budget the best. The Zone Offroad coil over kit for around 1200 bucks seems the best price but is it the best value? I have a friend who has one for his dodge and he loves it. I wanted to know if anyone has any experience with this company and also how difficult is it to install this type of system>? Its says some cutting and welding required, I am no welder nor do I plan to be. Any advice on the best value Lift kit around 6" would be appreciated, and those with experience with Zone Offraod kits, as I hear they are a sister company of BDS. (not sure of that) My truck is basically just a daily driver, I'm not concerned as much with performance as I am with price, ease of install, and ride quality. I did see one post on here about a member who used this kit, but there was nothing on the install or how well the kit is working. I don't want to KILL my ride quality, because thats what sold me on this truck! Thanks in advance for all your advice.

2000DV4.8 · May 16, 2009

Couldn't just bump the old thread...?

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...c=96956&hl=

jimmyboy8301 · May 16, 2009

it seems to be a decent kit. if you check out www.fullsizechevy.com there are a few guys there that have that kit and seem to be pretty happy with them.

jimmyboy8301 · May 16, 2009

or ask this guy, since he has the kit

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=92536

lbkthree · May 16, 2009

You can opt for a pro comp for around $1300 if you shop around right now. I was really happy with the installation. I only had to cut the cross member bracket and 5/16" off of the tie rod end. If I remember correctly the zone kit called for trimming or sanding on differential housing as well. The nice thing about the zone kit is that it does have the strut replacements.

masterfoxscout · May 16, 2009

B.D.S!

blackout07 · May 16, 2009

B.D.S!

+1. And in your case, replacement coil overs and not spacers FTW. I love mine, and the ride is great. The basic rear shocks are not that great, but none are with most of these kits. But that is an easy upgrade. I have heard good things about Zone as well though. If you like it, do it.

ouscadam · May 17, 2009

Well I would like to go with bds, but I don't wanna fork over the extra money...Last time I checked that kit is quite a bit more than the Zone Offroad kit......The pro comp kit, is it comparable to the Zone kit? I don't wanna ruin my ride quaility due to a cheap lift, but I don't wanna waste money on something I will regret later. What shocks did you put on the back, since you said the rear ones are junk?

blackout07 · May 17, 2009

Well I would like to go with bds, but I don't wanna fork over the extra money...Last time I checked that kit is quite a bit more than the Zone Offroad kit......The pro comp kit, is it comparable to the Zone kit? I don't wanna ruin my ride quaility due to a cheap lift, but I don't wanna waste money on something I will regret later. What shocks did you put on the back, since you said the rear ones are junk?

I never said that they were junk...just nothing special. I can definately tolerate them. When I get ready to replace them, I will go with Bilsteins. I must say, that for a truck with 9" of lift and 35's, my truck rides pretty darn smooth.

masterfoxscout · May 18, 2009

I have the same set up and Blackout and I get a factory ride. I really would stay away from ProComp. I had one on my truck and it was crap. I heard more weird noises and had all sorts of issues b/c of the way they do their kits. I'd actually put Rancho above ProComp now.

I wish I'd have known that before I bought it. It would have saved me 2000 bux.

stlavsa · May 18, 2009

You have a brand new truck that I'm sure cost over 30,000 dollars American. Its not the kind of thing that you want to "cheap" out on, with wheels, tires, suspension, any modifications really. I havent reallly heard anything bad about the Zone Kit, but I was looking at it, and ended up getting the fabtech kit for $1600.00 (if u try its not that hard to find it for that price) and I am very happy with the fabtech, and it gives more lift!

The guy that I got my kit from is a personal friend of mine, we went to highschool together (he had to actually find a fabtech dealer for me, because he was setup as a dealer or zone and bds, but NOT fabtech). He was looking at the zone kit, (because this is my first lifted truck i didnt know what to look for) and he said "theres better kits out there" and I cant remember the reasons behind it (but it sure would be nice for the thread if I did remember, I know, i know). He recommended the BDS, CST, and Fabtech kits.

The main point that im trying to get across to you i guess isnt that Zone is a bad kit, I really have no idea, but just beware of the "cheap" or "generic" route, because in reality, nothings cheap for these trucks, and saving a few hundred $$ right now might end up being a regret because u spend more money later wishing you hadn't been buying budget items in the first place.

lbkthree · May 18, 2009

I was going for the superlift originally but stuff happened, they couldn't get one from superlift, blah blah blah. Anyways, I ended up with the Pro Comp for a good deal. I opted for the spacers because Bilstien is currently developing a front strut for 6" lifted trucks. As soon as that comes out I'll get some of those. If that doesn't happen I'll get the Pro Comp or Fabtech coil-overs. If I were to do it again, I would go with BDS but as of right now I do not have any complaints with the Pro Comp kit on my truck.

ouscadam · May 18, 2009

This is exactly why I posted on here before I went out and bought a lift on my own. I am going to look further into the BDS kit and the Fabtech kit. You guys are right about the fact that I spent all that money on this truck, why go with a cheap kit. So are there any differences between the BDS vs Fabtech? I'm goinna look more into it. Thanks guys for your help. I really wanna do this right. I have always had Jeeps and know alot about them, I am a nnewbie when it comes to GM.

blackout07 · May 18, 2009

You have a brand new truck that I'm sure cost over 30,000 dollars American. Its not the kind of thing that you want to "cheap" out on, with wheels, tires, suspension, any modifications really. I havent reallly heard anything bad about the Zone Kit, but I was looking at it, and ended up getting the fabtech kit for $1600.00 (if u try its not that hard to find it for that price) and I am very happy with the fabtech, and it gives more lift!

The guy that I got my kit from is a personal friend of mine, we went to highschool together (he had to actually find a fabtech dealer for me, because he was setup as a dealer or zone and bds, but NOT fabtech). He was looking at the zone kit, (because this is my first lifted truck i didnt know what to look for) and he said "theres better kits out there" and I cant remember the reasons behind it (but it sure would be nice for the thread if I did remember, I know, i know). He recommended the BDS, CST, and Fabtech kits.

The main point that im trying to get across to you i guess isnt that Zone is a bad kit, I really have no idea, but just beware of the "cheap" or "generic" route, because in reality, nothings cheap for these trucks, and saving a few hundred $$ right now might end up being a regret because u spend more money later wishing you hadn't been buying budget items in the first place.

That is an excellent point, and I know from experience that going with a cheap kit can cost more in the long run. The difference in cost between BDS and Zone is only about $600 IIRC. Thats really not that much money when you'll be getting a high-quality and well tested kit, in addition to an unmatched warranty. When new companies or kits come out, I think it best to wait a while and see how they perform and hold up.

masterfoxscout · May 18, 2009

So are there any differences between the BDS vs Fabtech?

I'm pretty sure they are roughly the same. Looking at the pix, the BDS kit comes with a front skid plate and the Fabtech doesnt. The difference that I can see in components is only between the BDS kit and the Fabtech "Performance Kit" is that the Fabtech replaces the coils.

I just checked the prices on these kits:

BDS - $1813

Fabtech Basic - $1830

Fabtech "Performance" - $3700

After seeing these kits and prices.....I know that my decision would be easy!

On a side note...I'd like to pick your brain on some Jeep stuff. I have a few questions about doing some things to my Wrangler